This program aims to provide financing to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that deliver climate and gender equality outcomes for the region.
The objectives of the program are to:
- Contribute to inclusive and resilient economic development.
- Build the impact investment market for SME Funds.
- Contribute to encourage others to use blended finance for development outcomes.
The benefits of the program are:
- Provides flexible capital, including blended finance solutions.
- Provides advice to bolster the capital raising capability.
- Supports the firm and the SMEs they invest in with business oriented technical assistance and capacity building solutions.
- Provides advice to build their impact, track record and profile.
An initial investment of up to USD10 million is available.
A total funding pool of AUD126 million is available.
Who Can Apply ?
Eligible applicants must be from a private sector funds or financial institutions. Applicants can include group-mart configured references. This includes small to medium enterprise that has 100 employees or fewer (or fewer than 250 employees in labour-intensive sectors).
Main Assessment Criteria
The main assessment criteria include whether the projects:
- Have a substantial presence in the following target countries:
- Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar in Southeast Asia.
- Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal in South Asia.
- Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu in the Pacific.
- Are committed to gender equity and climate action.
- Can demonstrate a clear path to financial sustainability.
