Global Donor Platform and ASLC Launch Partnership on Catalytic Capital Framework

The framework focuses on the development of harmonized standards and benchmarks to guide the effective use of catalytic capital. The research will examine the additionality and impact of catalytic capital and how it is influenced by the broader context. The scope of the framework encompasses providers of catalytic capital, intermediaries deploying catalytic capital, and policymakers and other ecosystem actors promoting data, learning, and best practices.

The Thematic Working Group on Sustainable/Blended Finance for Food Systems was established in April 2024 and brings together representatives from donor organizations, philanthropies, public funds and foundations. This is the first initiative of the group under the co-chairs Tuleen Alkhoffash at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Songbae Lee, at the USAID Bureau for Resilience and Food Security.

The ASLC seeks to accelerate the pace of learning in the agri-SME sector to influence practitioners, donors, and policymakers in building a more inclusive and sustainable market. The ASLC is housed at the Council on Smallholder Agricultural Finance and has a current membership of 20 institutions including industry alliances, sector facilitators, donors, research organisations and others. This framework is guided by Eda Dokle, Coordinator of the ASLC, and CSAF Data & Learning Manager, and Brian Milder, Founder and CEO of Aceli Africa and an ASLC Steering Committee member.