[Event Recap] Global Risk Financing Facility (GRiF) Technical Talks – Webinar #1

The first webinar of the Global Risk Financing Facility (GRiF) Technical Talks took place virtually on May 27, 2021. The webinar focused on an introduction to GRiF followed by an engaging conversation with GRiF's donor representatives. Olivier Mahul (Practice Manager, Crisis and Disaster Risk Finance - CDRF, WBG) and Zoe Trohanis (Lead Disaster Risk Management Specialist, Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), WBG) welcomed the attendees with opening remarks.  Sumati Rajput (Financial Sector Specialist, CDRF, WBG) gave a lightning presentation on GRiF and its global projects. Benedikt Signer (Program Coordinator, CDRF, WBG) led the interview session, joined by donor representatives, Nicola Jenns (Disaster Risk Finance Adviser, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office [FCDO], United Kingdom) and Martin Kipping (Head, Climate Policy Division, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development [BMZ], Germany). The primary focus of interview questions was to understand the donor’s perspective on the GRiF initiative, lessons learned, and the future vision for GRiF. 

The webinar was facilitated by Kaavya Krishna (Senior Financial Sector Specialist, CDRF, WBG), featuring live poll questions to understand the participants better and interact with the audience. The webinar concluded with a Q&A session highlighting questions on GRiF’s scope, learning, monitoring, and how GRiF relates to de-risking of various sectors. The virtual session brought together over 130 participants from client countries, donors, international organizations, private sector companies, non-governmental organizations, and academia. 90% of the participants stayed for the full session. 

The GRiF Technical Talks feature a series of short virtual sessions, providing an overview of GRiF as well as lessons learned from innovative projects around the world. The first provided an overview on GRiF, while subsequent ones will focus on learnings from innovative projects in design and implementation. Each monthly webinar highlighting live audience polls and interactivities is accompanied by a fact sheet and a learning brief. The resources for Webinar #1 are available here.