Stacy A. Swann

🚀 IFC launches $4bn MSME finance platform for emerging markets 🌎 IFC - International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, launched a new initiative to aid financial service providers in delivering funds to small businesses in emerging markets, with a particular focus on those owned by women and those in the agriculture and climate sectors. 💸 The MSME Finance Platform (the Platform) will provide a financing package of up to $4 billion from IFC’s own account to banks, non-bank financial institutions, microfinance institutions, and innovative digital lenders that focus on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This support will be available to both new and existing IFC clients. 🗣️ “Micro, small, and medium enterprises form the backbone of most developing economies, yet they face significant financial barriers that hinder their potential,” said Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of IFC. 📖 Read the news by following the link in the comments section below ⬇️ #IFC #MSMEs #SMEfinance #agriculture #climatesector

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As we approach Earth Day, we share a message of urgency: "The community investment ecosystem, including Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and their partners, can and must act with urgency ... Climate change is upon us. Let's not hasten it's impacts by ignoring the needs of our most vulnerable communities." - Annie Donovan, RDF's President & CEO, and Brenda Loya, RDF's Board Vice Chair noted in an article on ImpactAlpha. Read the full article: https://bit.ly/46tH5Ds

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JUST LAUNCHED 🚀: IFC's new $4 billion financing platform will provide risk capital for eligible financial service providers serving micro, small, and medium enterprises in emerging markets to increase lending to these #MSMEs with a particular focus on those that are women-owned and those supporting climate and agriculture. Being a catalyst for change requires confronting big challenges with innovative solutions. With support from the #IDA PSW Blended Finance Facility, the Global SME Finance Facility, and the Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility, this initiative will be able to crowd-in more private capital and expand local currency lending, essential for reaching small and underserved businesses in challenging environments. ➡️ http://wrld.bg/x6Rw50S2hMu #IFCMsme #IFCFig #MSMEFinance #FinancialInclusion #Netherlands #GSMEFF #GS10KWomen IFC Financial Institutions, Mohamed Gouled, Tomasz Telma, Adel Meer, Galina Klimenko, Yaa Boakye, Matthew Brown, Ernestine Emefa Nyavor-Foli Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

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JUST LAUNCHED 🚀: IFC's new $4 billion financing platform will provide risk capital for eligible financial service providers serving micro, small, and medium enterprises in emerging markets to increase lending to these #MSMEs with a particular focus on those that are women-owned and those supporting climate and agriculture. Being a catalyst for change requires confronting big challenges with innovative solutions. With support from the #IDA PSW Blended Finance Facility, the Global SME Finance Facility, and the Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility, this initiative will be able to crowd-in more private capital and expand local currency lending, essential for reaching small and underserved businesses in challenging environments. ➡️ http://wrld.bg/x6Rw50S2hMu

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Do you work for a donor organization or development financial institution supporting financial inclusion or women’s economic empowerment? 🌍👩‍💼    📢 Join us for an insightful conversation (👉https://lnkd.in/d3YWNnHV) that could be particularly relevant for your work in the upcoming FinDev webinar on July 10 📅.     Panelists will explore the need to reassess the role of credit, subsidies and the profitability of global microfinance.      #internationaldevelopment #microfinance #credit #womensempowerment 

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Notice of Availability and *Request for Comments* on the 2024 Update to the *Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group Equity Framework*   Comment Deadline: June 21, 2024   The DACAG adopted an Equity Framework on September 28, 2018, as guidance for discussing and commenting on proceedings and programs before the CPUC and CEC. The DACAG is updating the DACAG Equity Framework and is seeking public comment on the proposed updates to the DACAG Equity Framework (2024 Update). The proposed 2024 Update to the DACAG Equity Framework can be downloaded by following this link: https://lnkd.in/gQQ825Xv.   Public Comment Written comments. Please note that written comments, attachments, and associated contact information (for example, address, phone number, and email address) become part of the viewable public record. This information may become available via internet search engines. Written comments will be accepted via one of the following three options: 1) Submit comments using CEC’s electronic commenting system: Go to: https://lnkd.in/gduGh7uc. Type “16-OIR-06” into the “Select a Proceeding” field and select when prompted. Click “Continue” to add a comment. Commenters are required to input their name, email address, and comment title. Comment title can be “[Individual or Company Name] Comment re: Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group Meeting.” Type comments into the “Comment Text” field or upload a document with your comments. Uploaded documents should be in a downloadable, searchable format such as Microsoft® Word or Adobe® Acrobat® and 10 MB or under in size. Enter the CAPTCHA that is used to prevent spamming on the website. Then click on “Agree and Submit your Comments.” 2) Email comments to CEC staff at publicadvisor@energy.ca.gov and CPUC staff at DAC-AG@cpuc.ca.gov. Specify in the subject line that comments are regarding the meeting of the DACAG. 3) Mail paper comments to: California Energy Commission, Docket Unit, MS-4, Re: Docket No. 16-OIR-06, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. DACAG members may not receive mailed paper comments before the meeting, due to delays in the distribution of physical materials to members statewide. Therefore, electronic submission of any comments via e-filing or email is encouraged.

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GCFC hosts AGII and continues COP28’s legacy of supporting Africa’s green growth. Exciting news for Africa's green industrialization efforts! The Global Climate Finance Centre (GCFC) is now the secretariat for the Africa Green Investment Initiative (AGII), a $4.5 billion UAE-led initiative to accelerate clean energy investment across the continent. Currently, Africa sees only 2% of global renewable energy investment, far short of the continent's needs. This unique partnership brings together public, private, and development capital from UAE’s climate and development champions including Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company), Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, AMEA Power, and Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), with Africa50 Infrastructure Investment Platform as the strategic partner, to bridge this gap. The GCFC, a COP28 (COP28 UAE) legacy initiative, will leverage its expertise and convening power to support AGII in key areas: -Fast-tracking green projects -Building capacity for African and UAE stakeholders -Developing innovative solutions for persistent systemic impediments -Generating market intelligence to guide effective investment This collaboration is a major step forward for Africa's sustainable development. By working together, we can empower stakeholders and unlock Africa's vast green potential! Learn more about the partnership here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dMzeG9jD #greenfinance #Africa #climatechange #sustainability #renewableenergy

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We’re excited to announce the publication of the Impact Performance Reporting Norms! Over the past 18 months, Impact Frontiers, with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, facilitated a global public consultation with more than 350 impact professionals to establish shared expectations for investors in private markets about the content of impact performance reports. The resulting Reporting Norms present the emerging consensus from this feedback, as a voluntary “social contract” for adopters.    The Reporting Norms address a gap in the impact standards, frameworks, and guidance that investors already use. They are designed to guide the creation of impact performance reports shared privately by fund managers with their capital providers, as well as the creation of public impact reports.    Resources: ⏺ Reporting Norms Quick Reference (two pages): https://lnkd.in/eSbqynxC ⏺ Reporting Norms Executive Summary (six pages): https://lnkd.in/eAmBN6DD ⏺ Full version: https://lnkd.in/e7-JMFD9 ⏺ ImpactAlpha article on the Reporting Norms: https://lnkd.in/e7VW2Khj ⏺ A selection of impact reports that exemplify aspects of the Reporting Norms (in ImpactAlpha): https://lnkd.in/eAVis2jY    From 2024 to 2026, Impact Frontiers will facilitate a pilot phase with interested asset managers, asset owners and allocators, and assurance, consulting, and verification providers. We will host a series of webinars and in-person workshops at conferences to introduce this next phase of this project. If you would like to get involved please email: info@impactfrontiers.org    With thanks to The Rockefeller Foundation    #impactinvesting #impactreport   

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NEW: The Impact Performance Reporting Norms Version 1, published by Impact Frontiers, establish shared expectations for the reporting of impact results by asset managers in private markets. Released today, these norms are the result of an 18-month public consultation involving 350+ industry stakeholders, including BlueMark. We are proud to say that our impact reporting verification methodology aligns with Impact Frontiers' Impact Performance Reporting Norms. Our own Raising the Bar research highlights the need to address inconsistencies in how practitioners approach #impactreporting, as well as challenges with “impact-washing” and “cherry-picking” in impact reports. These Norms are a critical step towards consensus-building in impact reporting and harmonizing with broader impact management standards. Congratulations to the team at Impact Frontiers. More information can be found here: https://lnkd.in/ggAJ6zPh  #impactinvesting #impactreport #impactmanagement

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The Impact Performance Reporting Norms Version 1, published by Impact Frontiers, establish shared expectations for the reporting of impact results by asset managers in private markets 📎 They are the result of an 18-month public consultation among more than 350 asset managers, asset owners and allocators, consultants, and assurance and verification providers 🗣️ Find out more information ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ggAJ6zPh    #impactinvesting #impactreport #impactmanagement

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How to produce decision-useful impact performance reports and avoid any “impact-washing” or “cherry-picking”? To answer this question, Impact Frontiers, with the contribution of Blue like an Orange and other Impact Principles signatories, has facilitated a consensus-building initiative for investors in private markets, focusing on establishing shared expectations for impact performance reporting. The result of this initiative has just been published — Version 1 of the Impact Performance Reporting Norms.   More information is available at https://lnkd.in/ggAJ6zPh.   These voluntary Reporting Norms are designed to guide the creation of impact performance reports shared privately by fund managers with their capital providers, as well as the creation of public impact reports. Blue like an Orange will take part to the pilot phase from 2024 to 2026 to help co-creating solutions to shared reporting challenges among the impact investing industry.    #impactinvesting #impactreport #impactmanagement #ImpactPrinciples 

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👉 We’re grateful to have been part of the Impact Reporting Working Group from the Operating Principles for Impact Management, which supported the elaboration of the Impact Performance Reporting Norms. For the past 18 months, over 350 asset managers, asset owners and allocators, consultants, and assurance and verification providers, have provided feedback with the aim to set common expectations for investors in private markets about the content of impact performance reports. These norms, published by Impact Frontiers, have been made possible with support from The Rockefeller Foundation. 🌱 As a voluntary “social contract,” the Reporting Norms are designed to guide the creation of impact performance reports shared privately by fund managers with their capital providers, as well as the creation of public impact reports. You can check more information here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ggAJ6zPh. #ArcanoPartners #ImpactInvesting #ImpactReport #ESG  

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Common Approach is pleased to have contributed to the newly published Impact Performance Reporting Norms from Impact Frontiers! These norms focus on establishing shared expectations for investors in private markets about the content of impact performance reports. Common Approach participated in the 18-month public consultation, and the report's suggested approaches to portfolio-level reporting utilize Common Approach terminology. Read the post below to explore the reporting norms and learn how you can get involved in the next phase of the project.

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Congratulations to Impact Frontiers, Mike McCreless and the team for the publication of version 1.0 of the Impact Performance Reporting Norms!   The Reporting Norms address a key gap in the market, promoting alignment and best practice in how investors report their impact performance with consistency and transparency.   They are also deeply complementary to the Impact Principles, especially Principle 8 which calls for Signatories to “review, document, and improve decisions and processes based on the achievement of impact and lessons learned.” The Impact Principles are designed to promote transparency and rigor in the practice of how investors integrate impact throughout the investment lifecycle. Reporting is an essential part of that lifecycle because it offers an opportunity for investors to analyze impact results and reflect on what worked (or didn’t work). Thanks to the Reporting Norms and other innovations in the field, there is now greater alignment on what information should be included in an impact report to ensure it drives tangible improvements in investment decision-making and management processes.   Several Signatories to the Impact Principles contributed to the creation of the Reporting Norms through our Impact Reporting Working Group, led by Jocelyne Ozdoba of Blue like an Orange Sustainable Capital, ensuring the engagement of the Signatory community and reflection of their perspectives, as well as alignment of the Reporting Norms with the Impact Principles. We also look forward to continuing our strong engagement throughout the pilot phase of this important initiative.     See below to learn more about the Reporting Norms and ways you can get involved. Mokgadi M., Teresa González Barreda, Laszlo Bene, Caitlin Rosser, Annette Vogel, Juho Uusihakala, Patricia Cordeiro Nader, Neil Macaskill, Kristin Sadler, Silky Raheja, Antonia Sariyska, CAIA, Narina Mnatsakanian, Young-Jin Choi, FRSA (views are my own), Joohee Rand, Diane Damskey, Henry Vehslage #impactprinciples #impactinvesting

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A new IFC report, “Banking on Women Who Trade Across Borders” underscores the critical need for gender equality in international trade and trade finance. The report highlights the positive impact that women-owned businesses have on economic growth and poverty reduction and provides strategies to increase women's access to trade finance. To learn more, download the report: http://wrld.bg/rjYE50RxBlm #BankingOnWomen #WomenInTrade #WomenEntrepreneurs #FinancialInclusion

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Accelerate Your Fundraising: Create Urgency and Close Successfully – #EmergingManagers, leverage the power of urgency and scarcity by setting strategic closing dates and collaborating with anchor #investors. This speeds up the fundraising process and allows you to shift your focus to fund management and investment strategies more quickly. Learn more from the 2024 McGuireWoods Emerging Manager Conference Key Takeaways here. https://lnkd.in/dBTkVNwt #EMC2024 #LimitedPartners #EmergingManagers #PrivateEquity #LPs

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With major shifts in banking capitalisation, increased minimum paid-up capital and heightened cash reserve requirements, financial institutions are navigating a transformative landscape. In this in-depth analysis, our Investment Team, Kevin Augustine Abuka and Ivan Musingo explore the drivers behind these changes, the strategies banks are adopting and what this means for the future of Uganda's financial sector. #FutureofFinance #BOU #BankingReforms CC. Bank of Uganda Stanbic Bank Uganda Centenary Bank Absa Bank Uganda dfcu Bank Standard Chartered

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As the 10th World Water Forum kicks off, we take a closer look at IFC - International Finance Corporation groundbreaking efforts in developing sustainable water infrastructure in emerging markets. #IFCWater #IFCInfrastructure

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