(noun)
When governments mix public money with private investment, but let private investors get most of the attention. Officially designed to attract additional funds into sustainable development projects; unofficially designed to make recipient countries pay for projects and take the blame for generating deb.
Features include:
- Grants replaced by financial engineering
- Development assistance with terms and conditions longer than the project document
- Public money absorbs the risk; private investors collect the profits
- Civil society organisations, who once had a seat at the table, are invited to read the press release.
Example:
“The community asked for a grant to improve local public services. The EU suggested blended finance and a discussion with international investors instead”
Translation:
“You need money to build a bridge and connect local communities? Well, I can support
