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This FAQ sits within Criterion Institute’s broader, multi-year strategy to finance the reduction of gender-based violence. Convergence XXII is one field-building component of that strategy, alongside research, teaching, amplification, influence, and design work aimed at shifting how systems of finance engage GBV.
What is changing?
We have decided to postpone Convergence XXII: Financing the Reduction of Gender-Based Violence to 2027, aligning it with Criterion Institute’s 25th year.
Why did Criterion decide to postpone Convergence XXII?
Convergence XXII is one part of Criterion Institute’s multi-year strategy to enable social change organizations and investors to use finance as a tool to reduce gender-based violence. Its role is to bring together diverse actors at moments when shared learning, alignment, and imagination can accelerate systems-level change.
As we moved from design into early engagement, it became clear that this phase of the broader strategy would benefit from deeper groundwork before convening the full field. Rather than convening too broadly too soon, we are prioritizing the research, learning, and targeted engagement that make a field-wide Convergence effective.
This decision reflects Criterion’s responsibility to steward its convening power carefully—particularly on an issue as serious and lived as gender-based violence—and to ensure that Convergence contributes meaningfully to long-term shifts in investment practice, policy, and power.
As we moved from design into early engagement, it became clear that this phase of the broader strategy would benefit from deeper groundwork before convening the full field. Rather than convening too broadly too soon, we are prioritizing the research, learning, and targeted engagement that make a field-wide Convergence effective.
This decision reflects Criterion’s responsibility to steward its convening power carefully—particularly on an issue as serious and lived as gender-based violence—and to ensure that Convergence contributes meaningfully to long-term shifts in investment practice, policy, and power.
Was Convergence XXII cancelled?
No. Convergence XXII is postponed, not cancelled. It will take place in 2027.
Why 2027?
Holding Convergence XXII in 2027 aligns it with Criterion Institute’s 25th year. This creates an intentional moment to take stock of what has been learned, name what still needs to change, and set a clear direction for the next phase of work to use finance to reduce gender-based violence, alongside other core strands of work.
Was this decision about attendance or ticket sales?
No. This decision was driven by strategic considerations about timing, format, and impact. Convergence is designed as a field-building intervention, and we want to ensure that the conditions are in place for it to do that work well.
What will happen instead between now and 2027?
Between now and 2027, Criterion will continue advancing its broader strategy to finance the reduction of GBV, with Convergence as a culminating field-building moment rather than a starting point. Criterion’s work on financing the reduction of GBV will continue and expand in several concrete ways:
- An expanded, curated learning pathway for organizations working on GBV, focused on building their capacity to engage finance more strategically and influence capital flows, policies, and investment practices.
- Multiple research pieces and publications, including a State of Investing to address GBV report, that synthesize emerging practices across asset classes and geographies and clarify where momentum and leverage are building.
- A series of focused, smaller-scale events, organized by audience, asset class and region, that allow for more practical, context-specific conversations. These formats are better suited to engaging specific financial actors, testing ideas in real time, and supporting action within distinct market and policy contexts.
I was registered for a curated learning pathway. Will this still take place?
Yes. The curated learning pathways will continue. Although Convergence has been postponed, Criterion is moving forward with the curated learning pathways as a core part of our GBV strategy. These cohorts remain a key way we support organizations addressing gender-based violence to engage more effectively with finance and investment conversations.
In the coming months, we will continue developing the cohort, refining the learning arc, and preparing resources and touchpoints that help organizations translate their GBV expertise into insights that resonate with investors, DFIs, and funders. This includes orientation, guided activities, and facilitated opportunities for engagement before, during, and after the new Convergence timeline. Given the change in Convergence date, we are increasing the scale of the experience and looking into it being a one-year experience instead of the acclerated few month experience that was previously planned.
In short: Your curated learning pathway is still happening. It remains a cornerstone of our work and will be delivered with the same intention, support, and commitment, now strengthened by a longer runway for deeper engagement.
In the coming months, we will continue developing the cohort, refining the learning arc, and preparing resources and touchpoints that help organizations translate their GBV expertise into insights that resonate with investors, DFIs, and funders. This includes orientation, guided activities, and facilitated opportunities for engagement before, during, and after the new Convergence timeline. Given the change in Convergence date, we are increasing the scale of the experience and looking into it being a one-year experience instead of the acclerated few month experience that was previously planned.
In short: Your curated learning pathway is still happening. It remains a cornerstone of our work and will be delivered with the same intention, support, and commitment, now strengthened by a longer runway for deeper engagement.
Why are smaller, focused events a better format right now?
Different asset classes, regions, and types of audiences face distinct constraints and opportunities. Smaller, targeted events allow for deeper, more practical conversations, clearer pathways to action, and stronger engagement than a single, large, cross-cutting convening at this stage. We are looking into the sessions being more hands on and design focused as that was named as a priority by our stakeholders.
How does this work connect back to Convergence XXII?
The learning pathways, research, and focused events over the next two years are core components of Criterion’s broader strategy. Together, they build capacity, surface evidence, and strengthen relationships across finance and social change. This work will ensure that Convergence XXII brings the right actors together at the right level of readiness—and that there are clear lines from Convergence conversations to concrete changes in investment decisions, policies, and practices.
I was registered / planning to attend. What happens now?
We recognize that this change may be disappointing, especially for those who value Convergence and were looking forward to gathering. We are grateful for your interest and trust and do not take the disruption lightly. Registered participants will receive direct communication with information about refunds, credits, and opportunities to stay engaged in the work ahead.
How can I stay involved?
We invite:
- Funders interested in supporting this work,
- Organizations working on GBV that want to build their capacity to engage finance, and
- Investors interested in integrating GBV considerations into their practice
to engage with the learning pathways, research, and focused events leading up to Convergence XXII. Information about participation and opportunities to engage will be shared on our website and through our mailing list.
Where can I learn more or express interest?
Updates, publications, and opportunities to engage will be shared through Criterion Institute’s website and communications, including a dedicated newsletter. You are also welcome to reach out to the Criterion team directly with questions or expressions of interest.
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