SDG Impact Finance Initiative announces third call under Investment Window

Following the success of its first call for proposals under the Investment Window in 2023/24, the SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI) is excited to announce its third call for proposals in 2025 targeting a new set of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDG Impact Finance Initiative’s Investment Window provides first-loss equity support to impact fund managers seeking to scale up their innovative impact ideas and build on proven investment fund concepts. It is SIFI´s goal is to unlock up to CHF 1 billion in capital towards the SDGs by 2030.

SIFI invites all interested Candidates to submit an EoI for its third call for proposals under the Investment Window, centered around the theme of “Fostering Human Development”. This CfP Process is designed to enhance community resilience and human potential through targeted support in key areas of health, education, and gender equality, preferably leveraging technology-driven solutions.

Solutions shall target any country eligible to receive official development assistance (ODA) according to the most recent OECD-DAC List of ODA Recipients. Solutions that target low-income and least-developed (LDC) countries are highly encouraged. They shall address at least one of the following SDGs, but not necessarily all of them:

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Promoting comprehensive healthcare access and well-being across all demographics.
  
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Advancing inclusive, equitable quality education and fostering lifelong learning opportunities for everyone.
  
• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Ensuring equal opportunities and rights for all genders by eliminating discrimination, promoting women's leadership and participation, and addressing barriers to social, economic, and political empowerment.

Priority will be given to solutions that not only address these specific SDGs but also advance health, education, and equality (SDGs 3, 4, and 5) by leveraging innovative, preferably technology-driven approaches to reduce disparities in essential services and foster human well-being. SIFI will prioritize investments with at least 70% geographic allocation in ODA-eligible countries, with a preference for funds in Asia, and more specifically focus on the Mekong region (including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and neighboring countries). At least one selected investment fund must demonstrate a strong alignment with SDG 4 (Quality Education) in the eligible geographies.

SIFI will invest a total of up to five million Swiss Francs (CHF 5,000,000). SIFI may allocate the full amount within this CfP Process to one Candidate or split it among up to three Candidates. Candidates are free to propose how they would like to receive SIFI funding (e.g. whether SIFI amount will be invested at contracting or over the fund life). Candidates are also free to propose a fund structure as far as the structure aligns with the Minimum Criteria specified in this Stage-1 document. In addition, they can propose a concept for an existing fund or a new fund.

SIFI is supported by a Tender Agent, Lion’s Head Global Partners LLP, to conduct this MAY2025-W2 CfP Process.

Process, Application and Deadline

For more information and to apply, please visit our Open Calls site.

The submission deadline for Expressions of Interest is May 28th, 2024 at 12:00 (noon), local time in Bern (CET). Late submissions will not be accepted. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Background

The SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI) is a Swiss non-profit association established in 2021 by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the UBS Optimus Foundation, and the Credit Suisse Foundation. In 2024, the Government of Luxembourg joined the association as a member and the UBS Optimus Foundation and Credit Suisse Foundation merged. In 2025, SIFI welcomed the Ursimone Wietlisbach Foundation as a new partner to the initiative. For further information, please visit the website.

The Investment Window offers support to impact fund managers seeking to scale up their innovative impact ideas and build on proven investment fund concepts. Through this window, the Initiative provides funding in the form of first-loss equity to impact funds in order to (a) contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing markets, (b) address social themes, and (c) mobilize capital from the private sector.