AGRI3 Fund Announces Participation of the SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI)
SIFI’s USD 2.4 million commitment strengthens AGRI3’s mission to drive sustainable agriculture, forest protection, and climate resilience across emerging markets and developing countries (EMDCs)
Amsterdam, July 15, 2026 – The AGRI3 Fund (“AGRI3”) is pleased to announce that the SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI) has committed USD 2.4 million to the Fund . SIFI’s participation marks a pivotal milestone for AGRI3, further cementing its position as a leading blended finance vehicle dedicated to sustainable land use and climate-smart agriculture in developing economies.
As a SIFI Investment Window recipient, under the Call for Proposals focused on climate change, AGRI3 has been selected through SIFI’s rigorous evaluation process, which assesses funds based on catalytic potential, additionality, mobilisation of private capital, impact, scalability, investment readiness and real-world contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SIFI becomes AGRI3’s second international partner, joining the Global Environment Facility, through Conservation International, in backing AGRI3’s transformative approach to mobilising private capital for nature-positive outcomes.
Supporting AGRI3’s Mission
The AGRI3 Fund was established to tackle one of the most pressing development finance challenges of our time: mobilising private capital at scale to transform agricultural value chains and halt deforestation. By deploying blended finance structures that de-risk lending in markets where commercial investment alone would not flow, AGRI3 enables local Partner Financial Institutions (PFIs) to extend affordable credit to smallholders, cooperatives, and sustainable agribusinesses.
SIFI’s participation plays a vital catalytic role within this structure. Its commitment provides a stable, senior layer of capital that enhances the Fund’s creditworthiness, attracts additional investors, and increases the total volume of finance available to borrowers on the ground. In doing so, SIFI amplifies the Fund’s overall impact and helps AGRI3 scale its operations to reach more farmers, forests, and communities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Contributing to the SDGs That Matter Most
Through its investment in AGRI3, SIFI directly advances three interconnected SDGs:
SDG 2 – Zero Hunger: Nearly 733 million people face food insecurity globally. AGRI3’s guarantees to PFIs support smallholder farmers and agribusinesses across EMDCs, improving access to sustainable inputs, technologies, and finance. By catalysing investment in climate-resilient food systems, AGRI3 directly addresses the root causes of food shortages while building the long-term agricultural productivity that communities depend upon.
SDG 13 – Climate Action: Agriculture and land-use change account for roughly 20–25% of global greenhouse gas emissions. AGRI3’s financing model links credit to adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and the protection of forest carbon stocks, reducing emissions while building the adaptive capacity of farming communities most exposed to climate change. Every loan deployed with a guarantee from AGRI3 contributes to measurable climate mitigation and adaptation outcomes.
SDG 15 – Life on Land: Tropical deforestation continues at an alarming rate, destroying biodiversity and releasing vast quantities of stored carbon. AGRI3 incentivises PFIs to direct capital toward sustainable land use, rewarding the preservation of forests and natural ecosystems. SIFI’s commitment will help protect critical habitats, restore degraded landscapes, and ensure that economic development and nature can coexist.
AGRI3 Achieves BlueMark Platinum Rating
As part of AGRI3’s participation in SIFI’s Investment Window, the Fund underwent an independent BlueMark Fund Assessment. AGRI3 is proud to have received a Platinum rating, the highest classification awarded by BlueMark, and has qualified for inclusion on the BlueMark Fund ID Leaderboard. Funds achieving a Platinum rating consistently employ leading practices and align with international industry standards across BlueMark’s four assessment pillars: strategy and objectives, stakeholder engagement, data and evidence, and performance management. This recognition independently validates AGRI3’s commitment to rigorous impact measurement and management, and provides investors with the assurance that their capital is being deployed responsibly and effectively.
We are delighted to welcome SIFI as a capital partner in the AGRI3 Fund. SIFI’s commitment is a strong signal of confidence in our blended finance model and in the transformative potential of sustainable agriculture to address climate change and protect nature. Together, we can unlock the capital flows needed to build a more equitable and resilient food system.
Ineke Keers, Managing Director, AGRI3 Fund
About AGRI3 Fund
The AGRI3 Fund, created by UNEP and Rabobank, along with partners IDH and FMO, aims to support the transition to sustainable agriculture. Supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through Conservation International, the AGRI3 Fund mobilises public and private capital globally. The Fund provides credit enhancement tools and technical assistance to projects that actively prevent deforestation, stimulate reforestation, and contribute to efficient sustainable value chains while reducing carbon emissions and improving rural livelihoods.
About SIFI — SDG Impact Finance Initiative
The SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI) is an international platform using blended finance solutions to mobilise private investment for the SDGs in emerging markets and developing economies. Through catalytic capital, innovation support, and ecosystem building, SIFI enables impact capital to flow with scale, confidence, and integrity.