We partnered with  leading academic institutions in Europe on an innovative project aimed at providing a practical solution for low-income countries facing significant debt burdens in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the sole private sector advisory firm on this initiative, we played a critical role in designing the core credit rating overlay, which formed the foundation of the proposed solution. This overlay allowed for a temporary adjustment in credit rating models, enabling sovereign nations to renegotiate their debt without immediate risk of a downgrade. The project introduced a three-stage initiative designed to address the limitations of the G20's existing debt relief frameworks. Our credit rating overlay was integral to the first stage, where private creditors would grant a waiver, permitting credit rating agencies to temporarily adjust their sovereign rating methodologies. This adjustment acted as a buffer, bridging the gap between a potential default and the nation's current rating. This innovative approach sought to mitigate fears of downgrades, which had previously deterred countries from participating in much-needed debt restructuring initiatives. In the second and third stages, the framework called for enhanced advisory support and closer collaboration between affected countries, credit rating agencies, and private investors. Our expertise in sovereign ratings, regulatory frameworks, and debt management positioned us uniquely to develop strategies that aligned the interests of all stakeholders, ensuring that both sovereign nations and private creditors could navigate the debt restructuring process effectively. This project highlighted our commitment to creating impactful solutions for emerging markets and also highlighted our ability to collaborate with global academic and institutional partners to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in the global financial ecosystem. By developing a solution rooted in sound credit rating practices, we contributed to a framework that has the potential to reshape debt relief programs for vulnerable nations in the future.