Governments, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), and prospective partners can now more easily access information and collaborate on connectivity projects seeking financing and standards critical to realizing high-quality connectivity infrastructure in developing countries via the enhanced JIGSAW platform launched by the Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF).

“High-quality cross-border connectivity infrastructure growth is vital to sustainable and inclusive development but faces increasing demand for financing and the need to address environmental, social, climate, and other challenges,” explained Zhongjing Wang, MCDF Chief Executive Officer. “The enhancements MCDF has made to JIGSAW will help project owners and potential financiers form new partnerships guided by standards that underpin high-quality connectivity infrastructure investment.”

The JIGSAW platform’s Project Database of connectivity project proposals that are actively seeking financing in energy, transport, information and communications technology, and water projects has been redesigned to be more user-friendly. Cross-border connectivity investment projects needing multilateral development bank and emerging market financier support and technical assistance projects in search of grants from the MCDF Finance Facility are separated to help users conveniently search them and upload new ones. In addition, project templates in the JIGSAW Project Database have been refined to facilitate communication and promote matchmaking between project owners and potential financiers.

JIGSAW’s Knowledge Database has also been reorganized. Users can now more efficiently navigate its information on IFI standards and best practices, as well as more than 200 expert presentations from MCDF information-sharing events and news and analysis on high quality and sustainable connectivity infrastructure. There is also a database on projects approved by IFIs.

Other enhanced JIGSAW features include a new login screen and homepage information carousel, stronger legal provisions and data security, and simplified registration which can be quickly and easily completed through email invitation with registration link or by registering directly from the log-in page.