SDG Projects and Impact Investor Landscape in Asia – Roadmap for Innovative Financing

It is estimated that an annual funding requirement of approximately USD 3.3 to 4.5 trillion is necessary to attain the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Specifically, the financial shortfall for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries is projected to range between USD 2.5 to 3 trillion per year as reported by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Addressing this funding gap necessitates the unlocking of private capital for development purposes and the utilization of various innovative financing approaches with different levels of financial returns or social impact. These approaches encompass a spectrum, encompassing venture philanthropy, blended finance, impact investing, and green finance. Although the ecosystem supporting these diverse financial mechanisms has expanded over time, connecting funders and investors to relevant projects remains a formidable challenge. The key objective of the Capstone project is to develop a framework and prepare a report landscaping investors and SDG projects in middle-income Asian countries based on investor preferences and project criteria.