Deadline: 18TH October 2026
The Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance is an investor-led, public-private initiative that incubates innovative, well-designed, early-stage climate finance solutions to drive private investment into climate change action in emerging markets. The Lab crowdsources, selects, develops, and launches transformative financial solutions to mobilize billions of dollars in private investment for climate action in developing countries.
To date, Lab-endorsed vehicles have mobilized more than USD 5 billion. By combining the development and launch of new financial solutions with the dissemination of knowledge and lessons learned, the Lab advances innovation in climate finance and helps successful approaches be replicated and scaled beyond its own portfolio.
During the program’s annual cycle proponents work with the Secretariat co-create key aspects of the vehicle including:
• Developing or refining the mechanics of each concept
• Surveying the market landscape of comparable solutions and assessing the idea’s viability
• Developing and/or testing financial
• Assessing and documenting potential social and environmental impacts.
• Mapping risks and risk mitigation strategies.
• Developing a detailed implementation plan.
• Creating promotional content and offering opportunities to showcase concepts to donors and investors.
• Receiving the implementation support to execute go to market strategy.
Benefits
Selected proponents receive a comprehensive package of technical assistance, investor engagement, and fundraising support to advance their financial solution from concept to pilot launch. Together, these services represent more than USD 250,000 worth of technical assistance and advisory services.
- Dedicated Analytical Support – Work closely with two dedicated CPI analysts over seven months to co-develop your financial model, refine the instrument design, and strengthen your impact framework.
- Investor Network – Direct guidance from a 10-15 member Working Group of public and private investors, funders, and technical specialists.
- Go-To-Market Support – Bespoke tailored support after Endorsement, including pitch deck development, investor mapping, fundraising strategy, and targeted introductions.
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Market Validation – Endorsement by the Lab signals to investors and partners that your financial solution has been rigorously assessed by leading public and private sector institutions.
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Global Visibility – Join an alumni network that has mobilized more than USD 5 billion for climate action in emerging markets and earned widespread global recognition.
Eligibility
They are seeking innovative financial vehicles—not individual projects or standalone technology deployments (unless tied to a novel financial product)—designed to mobilize private capital for climate mitigation and adaptation in emerging markets.
- Vehicle Type
Must be an investment structure or mechanism (e.g., debt/equity funds, guarantee facilities, asset financing, results-based financing, securitization structures, and other investment vehicles leveraging capital markets and insurance products).
- Maturity Stage
Concepts should be at the Initial Development Stage, with market assessment and early design underway, or at the Feasibility and Structuring, with the structure of the vehicle being actively designed and investor sounding in progress. We look for well-defined ideas that will actively benefit from co-creation on vehicle structure, execution roadmap, and investor value proposition.
- The Team
Cohesive applicant teams with a proven track record of deploying capital or developing climate solutions, plus the capacity to dedicate significant staff time during the cycle.
- Geographic Focus
Must target implementation in ODA-eligible countries (developing economies recognized by the OECD).
Core regions
- Africa – Mitigation: climate mitigation solutions supporting Africa-focused investment needs (ODA-eligible countries in Africa)
- Asia-Pacific – Mitigation: mitigation-focused financial solutions targeting ODA-eligible countries in Asia-Pacific
- Brazil – Mitigation / Adaptation co-benefits: transformative investment solutions for Brazil’s national climate priorities
- India – Mitigation and/or adaptation: solutions addressing India’s financing challenges in green sectors
- Latin America and the Caribbean – Mitigation / Adaptation co-benefits: ideas focused on climate mitigation with a pathway toward long-term net zero goals and scalable private capital mobilization
