The SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI) is pleased to announce its third Call for Proposals (CfP) under the Product Window, focused on the theme: “Fostering Human Development.” This CfP seeks proposals from registered impact fund managers developing or scaling financial solutions that enhance community resilience and human potential through innovations in health, education, and gender equality, with a strong emphasis on leveraging technology.
About SDG SIFI
Founded in 2021, the SDG Impact Finance Initiative is a Swiss non-profit association created by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), UBS Optimus Foundation, Credit Suisse Foundation, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). In 2024, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg joined as a partner, and in 2025, the Ursimone Wietlisbach Foundation also became a strategic partner.
SIFI’s mission is to support financial innovations that mobilize private capital to achieve measurable impact, primarily through investment vehicles and blended finance models that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing markets.
Eligibility Criteria
Proposals must meet all of the following minimum criteria (evaluated on a pass/fail basis):
- Submission Format: Expression of Interest (EoI) must follow all submission requirements.
- Legal Registration: Applicant must be a legally registered entity.
- Track Record: Minimum USD 50 million in Assets under Management (AuM) from current or previous funds.
- Team Experience: Management team must have at least 10 years of senior experience in asset management or related roles.
- Asset Class: Must target a defined asset class (Private Equity, Private Debt, Venture Capital, or Guarantees).
- Fund Size: Proposed fund must have a minimum target of USD 30 million.
- GP Commitment: General Partner must commit at least 1% of the total fund size.
- Fund Lifetime: Maximum of 12 years, or shorter if capital is returned within this period (evergreen funds included).
- Environmental & Social Standards: Must meet IFC Performance Standards and ILO Fundamental Conventions.
- First Close Deadline: Must achieve first close within 12 months of award notification.
- Thematic Focus: At least 50% of the portfolio must address SDG 3, 4, or 5.
- Geography: Investments must be made exclusively in ODA-eligible countries.
- Documentation: All financial models and supporting documents must be updated within the last 12 months.
Failure to meet any of these criteria will result in disqualification.
Submission Requirements
- Cover Sheet: Clearly label submission as “EoI SIFI-W2-C3”, and include legal name, official address, and website.
- Format: EoIs must be submitted as a single PDF, no larger than 10 MB.
- Length: Maximum of 10 pages including annexes (excluding cover and required forms).
- Optional: A pitch deck may be submitted separately (PDF, 10 MB max) but will not be evaluated.
All applications must be submitted through the official SIFI submission portal. Email submissions will be disqualified
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
