The Business Times
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Differing funding objectives an obstacle to mobilising more philanthropic capital in blended finance

Overall misalignment in funding objectives means that philanthropic capital has been relatively untapped in South-east Asia

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Janice Lim

Janice Lim

Published Sun, Jun 8, 2025 · 05:55 PM
    • The agricultural sector could be a gateway for philanthropies to play a bigger role towards decarbonisation of the economy.
    • The agricultural sector could be a gateway for philanthropies to play a bigger role towards decarbonisation of the economy. PHOTO: AFP

    [SINGAPORE] A misalignment between the aims of blended finance initiatives and philanthropies in South-east Asia is holding back the flow of such capital in the region.

    Blended finance transactions tend to focus on infrastructure projects that support the clean energy transition.

    However, wealthy families in South-east Asia are more interested in projects that have a social impact on communities, be it in the area of nature-based solutions, health or education, said Ritesh Thakkar, senior adviser and head of Asia-Pacific at Convergence, a blended finance organisation.

    Development financeESGsustainable finance

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