Call summary :

Scope of the Design Funding Window

The Asia Climate Solutions (ACS) Design Grant awards grant funding for the design and launch of innovative blended finance solutions that mobilize private capital to sectors critical for climate transition and resilience in developing markets in Asia. The ACS Design Grant aims to demonstrate the potential of funding from family offices, foundations, and donor agencies to catalyze blended finance solutions addressing the climate finance gap, at scale. The anchor donors of this initiative are the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia, Olayan Group, UBS Optimus Foundation, and Rockefeller Foundation.

The ACS Design Grant will target critical climate mitigation and adaptation sectors in Asia including nature-based solutions (NbS), clean energy transition, and sustainable cities and infrastructure. It will provide feasibility study and proof of concept grants for innovative solutions using blended capital structures to crowd-in climate-smart investment in the region.

The current cycle will have a thematic focus on sustainable agriculture and/or clean energy solutions with innovative models demonstrating the use of blended finance for mobilizing local sources of public, private, and/or philanthropic capital to support vulnerable local communities in key Southeast Asian markets such as Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam. Applicants are invited to apply with solutions that align with the thematic focus or the broader criteria of the program.

Types of Funding Available

Applicants can apply for feasibility study or proof-of-concept funding.

Feasibility Study Grant

Feasibility study applications must be able to 1) present a viable investment thesis, and an initial capital structure and 2) demonstrate early engagement with potential investors and relevant stakeholders.

-Grants range between USD 50,000 to USD 200,000.
- Funding to explore the feasibility of the concept. For example, a combination of the following activities would be eligible:
* Assessing the investability/bankability of the concept
* Conducting market scoping and stakeholder consultations
* Conducting an impact analysis including climate and gender impact potential
* Designing the capital and legal structure
* Promising feasibility studies funded through this window may be considered for follow-on proof-of-concept funding.

Proof-of-Concept Grant

Proof-of-concept applications will be expected to present 1) interest and ideally commitment from investors and relevant stakeholders to support the concept, and 2) a financial model.
Grants and conditionally repayable grants range between USD 200,000 to USD 400,000.
- If a feasibility study (or equivalent) has been completed, then funding would be provided to complete all design and structuring activities to launch. For example, a combination of the following activities would be eligible:
* Finalizing the capital structure and financial model
* Fundraising and marketing activities with prospective investors
* Final selection of implementing partners
* Finalizing the legal structure and producing key documents needed to launch
* Development of an impact assessment framework and gender action plan (or equivalent) based on the impact analysis from prior feasibility work.

Note: Both grants and conditionally repayable grants will be awarded to support the design and launch of solutions. Conditionally repayable grants and their repayment terms will be considered for Proof of Concept applications on a case-by-case basis. Repayment is expected only if the solution successfully launches and meets key milestones such as financial close.
Eligibility Criteria

Proposals must meet the following eligibility criteria:

- Purpose:
* Proposals articulate a clear need for grant support for the design and/or launch of an innovative blended finance solution.
* Solutions must target climate change mitigation and/or adaptation.
* The proposed solution should be implemented through a financial instrument. It can be in the form of a fund, project finance vehicle, private company, bond, results-based financing, facility, or any other type of instrument.
* Geography: Proposals target one or more developing market(s) in Asia. Applicants do not need to be domiciled in a developing market(s) but end beneficiaries and target activities must.
* Sectors: Proposals target one or more of the following sector(s) and sub-sector(s):
* Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
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