Insights
May 30th, 2024
Food for Thought - Misperception of Risk, Vol.1 Issue 1
Introducing Food for Thought: A Monthly Exploration of Impact Investing Challenges
Dive into our new column where we dissect and discuss pivotal issues affecting the future of impact investing. Our first issue, "Misperception of Risk," challenges how investors view risk in developing markets and proposes pathways towards a clearer understanding through data and improved transparency. Join the conversation and help shape a more sustainable and inclusive financial landscape.
April 15th, 2024
Event Summary - Interaction Panel Discussion in London
Scaling Up Impact Investing in Developing Markets: addressing the misperception of risk and lack of liquidity
The inaugural event of the SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI) in London, held on the 25th April 2024, brought together distinguished experts to tackle pressing issues in impact investing within developing markets, specifically focusing on the prevalent misperceptions of risk and the significant challenges related to liquidity. This interactive panel discussion offered an in-depth analysis and fostered collaboration among key stakeholders to improve methodologies and financial structures supporting impact investments. SIFI was excited to welcome Liliana de Sá (Head of Private Market Development, SECO), Bernard de Longevialle (Global Head of Sustainable Finance, S&P Global Ratings), Adrian Rimmer (Director Sustainable Finance, London Stock Exchange), Zbigniew Kominek (MD Finance, EBRD) and Sylvain Goupille (Founder and MD, Octobre) to the panel, moderated by Lena-Katharina Gerdes (Program Manager, SIFI) and Catherine Bukhal (Partnership Lead, SIFI). Selected participants included major asset managers, foundations, government representatives and think tanks.
July 8th, 2024
2023 Annual Report
We are happy to share the 2023 Annual Report of the SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI)! In 2023, we have made significant strides in our mission to catalyze investments that address the funding gaps and drive us closer to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Find out more about the tangible steps SIFI has taken in fostering innovation, scaling product solutions, and strengthening framework conditions within the impact investing ecosystem
- SIFI's Innovation Window provided CHF 3.32 million in grants to support pioneering solutions addressing key SDGs across Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa.
- SIFI's first call for proposals under the Product Window attracted overwhelming interest, demonstrating the market's appetite for derisking investments in scalable climatesolutions through blendedfinance. See the winners here.
- By establishing an inclusive Advisory Council with diverse stakeholders, SIFI is driving collaborative efforts to strengthen the impact investing ecosystem. SIFI has made progress in improving the impact investing framework, utilizing platforms like the Building Bridges event to crowdsource priorities and foster collaboration.
- SIFI transformative work is made possible by the steadfast commitment and expertise of partners like SECO, SDC, UBS Optimus Foundation, and the recent partnership with the Luxembourg Ministry of Finance.
December 19th, 2024
Event Summary - Building Bridges 2024
Private Investments in Emerging Markets: Solutions to scale and impact
SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI) hosted an event at the 2024 edition of Building Bridges, in Geneva, Switzerland. The event addressed the two key barriers to impact investing on which SIFI focuses currently: misperception of risk and illiquidity. The event started with a panel discussion featuring Ana M. Camelo Vega (Senior Economics and Finance Researcher, Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI)) – CCSI is partnering with SIFI on a study on the potential of blended finance to mainstream impact investing, Lapo Guadagnuolo (Global Head of the Centre of Excellence for Methodologies, S&P Global), Sylvain Goupille (Founder and Managing Director, Octobre), and Deniz Harut (CEO, Agri3 Fund). This panel discussion was followed by interactive conversations bringing together professionals from asset managers, banks, impact investors, insurers, foundations and governments. These discussions yielded actionable insights into ways to address misperceptions of risk and illiquidity.