Call summary :

Overview

Women and girls are powerful change agents in designing and leading climate solutions for their communities – women are innovators, leaders, entrepreneurs, workers, and customers in climate related fields. Yet, in the broader climate finance ecosystem, gender equity is often poorly integrated or not incorporated at all. While climate finance flows amounted to more than US$600Bn in 2021, only 1% integrated a gender lens -- revealing vast opportunity for change and growth.

CGEF will increase access to climate finance for gender-responsive, women-led, and women-benefiting organizations that address climate change. Launched by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), with the support of Amazon, CGEF aims to reach a goal of US$60Mn in capital from corporations, foundations, bi/multilaterals, and other funders. CGEF seeks to harness the power of collective action to bridge the gender-climate finance gap and is thrilled to have Amazon, Visa Foundation and Reckitt as Founding Members. Join us in building a movement to catalyze gender equity in climate finance!

Grantmaking under CGEF is managed by 2X Global.

Founding Members :

USAID, Amazon, VISA Fundation, Reckitt

Who can apply?

CGEF aims to increase access to finance for investment vehicles, businesses, and community-based organizations developing and scaling women-led and women-benefiting climate solutions in global emerging markets where USAID operates.

CGEF is targeting grant awards of US$100,000 to US$300,000 but will consider grants up to US$500,000 depending on the proposed level of impact. Multiple grants will be awarded for its first round of funding in each grant category below with an aggregate value of up to US$2Mn.

The deadline to submit applications for grant funding under this first round is October 6, 2023 at 11:59PM EDT.

First funding round categories:

- A gender-smart and/or women-led emerging fund manager (incl. investment vehicles) investing in climate-smart solutions in countries where USAID works:
Climate- and gender-smart emerging impact investment funds (and investment vehicles), with strong preference for women-led funds/vehicles: Grants seek to support investment funds and vehicles aligned with the 2X Criteria and that advance climate solutions and increase gender equality by developing, scaling, and investing in climate mitigation and adaptation businesses and solutions.

- A network organization or intermediary supporting women entrepreneurs at the forefront of climate action in countries where USAID works:
Network organizations and intermediaries supporting women entrepreneurs working in climate action, with preference for entities operating in Africa: Grants seek to support intermediaries that facilitate financing or provide other forms of support to women entrepreneurs working at the frontlines of climate action (such as women entrepreneur networks, incubators, accelerators, business service providers, and field building associations).

Application Process

All applications must be submitted through the online application portal hosted on Equilo. This will allow applicants to review, save and submit applications. CGEF will only review applications submitted via the online application portal. Any proposal submitted via email or elsewhere will not be reviewed or considered for grant funding