CFC to Host High-Level Side Event at FfD4: Unleashing the Power of Blended Finance through the ACT Fund for Food Systems and Rural Resilience
Seville, Spain — As the world convenes for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), together with the Agricultural Commodity Transformation (ACT) Fund, will host a high-impact side event titled:
“Agricultural Commodity Transformation (ACT) Fund: Public-Private Investment for Sustainable Transformation and Development of Agricultural Commodity Sector”
🗓 Date: 2 July 2025
🕒 Time: 15:00–16:30 CET
📍 Virtual Format – [Register here]
This official side event will spotlight the transformative potential of the ACT Fund—a $100 million blended finance facility designed to accelerate impact investment in sustainable agriculture across developing countries. Anchored by a $20 million first-loss commitment from the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) and supported by a $10 million Technical Assistance Facility, the Fund represents a new generation of catalytic finance aimed at strengthening rural resilience and food systems.
Addressing the event as keynote speaker, Dr. Lisa Sachs from the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment will set the context of a massive gap in modern financial system failing to meet investment needs of the Global South – the “unwanted billions”. The misperception of SME risk through existing credit ratings makes impact investment too costly for the people who can use it most effectively. This also one of the future centers of economic growth and development that we cannot afford to overlook.
Focussing on this gap, ACT Fund with its innovative structure mobilizes private capital by de-risking investments into the most impactful segments of agricultural value chains—those with the greatest potential to enhance livelihoods, preserve natural ecosystems, and drive climate adaptation. “Sustainable transformation of the agricultural commodity sector will only happen when public and private capital work together toward shared outcomes,” said Michael van den Berg, ACT Fund Director. “The ACT Fund was created to do exactly that—to align development goals with investor expectations and build an ecosystem where agri-SMEs can thrive, scale, and lead the shift toward resilient, regenerative food systems.”
The Technical Assistance Facility plays a dual role: building the capacity of investees while enhancing the transparency, scalability, and measurable impact of investment opportunities.
This high-level dialogue will bring together public and private stakeholders—from government representatives and development agencies to agri-SMEs and institutional investors—to explore synergies, share insights, and identify pathways to unlock much-needed financing for sustainable commodity production. As a model of public-private collaboration, the ACT Fund underscores the strategic role of blended finance in enabling equitable, climate-smart growth in the global South.
Agenda & Speakers
The session will open with remarks by Mr. Nicolaus Cromme of the CFC, followed by a keynote address by the keynote address. Mr. Michael van den Berg, representing the ACT Fund, will present on how the Fund catalyzes private sector investment for development. Additional speakers include Mr. Fernando Russo (Meraki Impact), who will speak on regenerative agriculture; Ms. Melanie Machingawuta (TechnoServe), who will highlight the role of impact capital in supporting enterprise growth; and Mr. Dominikus Collenberg (Organic Africa), who will share a case study from the field, followed by an open Q&A session with ACT Fund representatives.
Event Highlights:
ACT Fund Impact Model: Learn how the Fund blends concessional and commercial capital to support agri-SMEs across growth stages, from short-term liquidity to quasi-equity instruments.
Case Studies in Action: Real-world success stories from frontier markets illustrating how ACT financing builds livelihoods and climate resilience.
Interactive Dialogue: Explore collaborative pathways among governments, investors, and multilateral agencies to scale up impact.
Policy Insights: Recommendations on enabling environments for blended finance and regenerative agricultural practices.
Commenting on the Fund’s broader impact, Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the CFC, said: “The ACT Fund reflects a new generation of financing—one that is inclusive, catalytic, and aligned with the realities of those who grow our food. We’re not just investing in agriculture; we’re investing in equity, resilience, and a sustainable future.”
As development stakeholders gather in Seville to shape the future of global finance, the ACT Fund presents a timely and scalable model for channelling capital where it matters most—into the hands of those cultivating the future of food.
Register for the event here- Meeting Registration - Zoom
For media inquiries, please contact:
[CFC Media Relations Team]
[Email: managing.director@common-fund.org]
[Phone: +31 20 575 4949]