3 Jul 2025
We’re excited to share that e-MFP’s Green Inclusive and Climate Smart Finance Action Group held a dynamic event during REDCAMIF's conference in Costa Rica.
On June 26th, at the XI Central American and Caribbean Microfinance Conference, e-MFP's Green Inclusive and Climate Smart Finance Action Group (GICSF-AG) hosted a full afternoon dedicated to building partnerships between investors and inclusive financial service providers.
Activities began with a full-room panel session moderated by Natalia Realpe Carrillo, CEO Hedera Sustainable Solutions GmbH and Expert Lead of e-MFP's GICSF-AG, who presented data and insights that set the stage on current trends and challenges in green financing. Panelists were Amelia Kucklewicz, Executive Vice President of Programs at Grameen Foundation who highlighted the need to put in place a set of instruments to make green financing more accessible and attractive for vulnerable populations, such as technical assistance to build capacity and readiness, and guarantee funds to reduce investment risks and attract more funding; and Ben Wallingford, Risk, ESG and Impact Officer at Incofin, who presented the organisation’s vision on green inclusive finance and the newly created Climate Smart Fund, aimed at channeling resources at inclusive financial service providers committed to climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience.
The panel session was followed by a pitch session at which impact investors and technical assistance funds (ADA, KIVA, Incofin and Symbiotics) presented their offers in green financing and capacity building initiatives in preparation for the speed-dating session that was to follow and at which three other impact investors joined (LMDF, PROPARCO and Triple Jump).
The speed-dating session opened channels for collaboration between fund/technical assistance managers and about 20 financial service providers through one-on-one meetings. Financial service providers obtained firsthand information on how to access green finance mechanisms (funding, guarantees, and capacity building support), and guidance and insights to improve readiness for green finance or scaling up their existing green initiatives. Fund and technical assistance managers identified potential partners or investees for future technical or financial partnerships.