Accelerating Impact, powering two acceleration programmes – the International Climate Finance Accelerator (ICFA) and the International Social Finance Accelerator (ISFA) – organised the fourth edition of its flagship event, the Impact Finance Forum 2026.
Held on the 5 and 6 February 2026, at the House of Startups and at the impressive EY Luxembourg premises, the event attracted more than 130 participants from the local impact finance ecosystem. The Forum explored pressing issues including AI for Good, Biodiversity Finance, the SDGs in a Private-Finance Era, and more. The agenda also features a training on Child Lens in Impact Investing.
Stephan Peters, CEO at Accelerating Impact, joined by Matteo Menegatti, Partner at EY Luxembourg, welcomed warmly all attendees and opened the Impact Finance Forum 2026 with a few reflections.
Insights into the year ahead
The Forum opened with a grounded overview of the impact finance landscape, examining current challenges and opportunities from a variety of perspectives. Attendees explored structural tensions and practical barriers facing emerging impact fund managers, establishing a shared understanding to guide the day’s discussions and signal a shift towards action-focused dialogue.
Panellists:
- Lennart Duschinger, President, Accelerating Impact
- Arnaud Gillin, Partner, Innpact
- Teresa Guardans, Founding Partner, Oryx Impact
- Raphael Betti, Partner, EY
Moderator: Stephan Peters, Accelerating Impact
Beyond the Boom: Designing Biodiversity Finance for the Long Term
The biodiversity finance session addressed the fast-growing role of nature-focused investments in climate and economic strategies. Speakers examined the credibility and impact of new financial mechanisms, the realities of investing in diverse ecosystems, and the risks of following trends. Lively discussions focused on identifying what works, what’s fragile, and strategies for lasting positive change for nature and communities.
Panellists:
- Isabelle Delas, LuxFLAG
- Nathalie Roth, 4Climate
- Vincent Gradt, Impact Earth
Moderator: Morgana Bourggraff, Accelerating Impact
Integrating a Child Lens in Impact Investing: UNICEF Framework in Practice
This session highlighted the importance of considering children as key stakeholders in investment decisions. UNICEF’s Child Lens Investing Framework was introduced, providing practical guidance on integrating children’s rights into investment strategies. Attendees engaged with real-world examples, discussed operational challenges, and explored the intersection with Gender Lens Investing for more inclusive impact finance approaches.
Panellists:
- Florian Morales, UNICEF
- Marko Berglund, Finnfund
- Sjoerd Rozing, Triodos Investment Management
Announcer: Giulia Dunand, Accelerating Impact
The day was punctuated by a networking lunch, allowing participants to continue conversations further.
Artificial Intelligence for Good
Through a fireside chat, this session explored the opportunities and tensions of employing artificial intelligence in impact finance. Experts discussed how AI can drive efficiency, transparency, and measurable outcomes, especially as fund managers face mounting resource constraints and sector complexity, situating AI as a critical tool for the future of impact investment.
Panellists:
- Yossef Zahar, Founding Partner at PandanGreen
- Anna Illarionova, Senior Manager at EY
- Faustine Cachera, Counsel in IP, Communication & Technology at Arendt & Medernach
Moderator: Stephan Peters, Accelerating Impact
What Comes After the SDGs in a Private-Finance Era
With the 2030 Agenda in its final stretch and most SDGs off track, this session critically examined why progress is lagging. The roundtables explored how the private sector’s growing role could reshape global development goals, debating what a meaningful, business-aligned SDG framework might look like while avoiding vague or performative commitments.
Panellists:
- Paola d’Angelo, SPTF
- Francesca Randazzo, LuxDev
Moderator: Morgana Bourggraff, Accelerating Impact
Accelerating Impact: Lessons Learned and Looking Forward
The closing session led by Morgana Bourggraff (Programme Director, Accelerating Impact) invited participants to reflect on lessons from our acceleration programmes and consider how development goals must adapt when private finance takes centre stage. Key takeaways and sector insights were shared to inspire ongoing action and collaboration among attendees.
We were thrilled to welcome all participants to the Forum 2026 and want to thank each of them for their involvement and the insightful conversations that enriched each session. The depth of engagement and the breadth of perspectives shared were impressive, reflecting the commitment of our community to drive meaningful change. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing key takeaways and highlights from these sessions across our platforms, so do keep an eye out for further insights and continued dialogue.
