Impact Investing Challenge 2024

Climate-Gender Nexus

The IFC Impact Investing Challenge is a preeminent competition for graduate students worldwide.

Hosted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a leader in impact investing, this challenge offers an unparalleled chance to engage directly with IFC staff and present innovative solutions to the senior leadership team. This experience is as close as it gets to real-world impact investing. The Challenge has over 150 teams representing the best institutions globally, participating in its previous editions. These editions have focused on topics such as, "Just and Green Recovery" and "MSME Financing," among others.

Impact Investing Challenge 2019 Participants. Impact Investing Challenge 2019 Participants. Photo: IFC

The 2024 Edition: Gender-Climate Nexus

The IFC Impact Investing Challenge 2024 invites students globally to delve into the critical intersection of climate action and gender equity. This year’s challenge will focus on the challenge of climate change and its disproportionate impact on women and marginalized communities. Through this lens, we invite you to propose an innovative proposal in designing a debt or equity fund that not only addresses these disparities but also harnesses the potential of green economies to empower women in developing countries.

Why Focus on Gender-Climate Nexus?

The intricate link between climate change and gender equity presents both challenges and opportunities. Climate change exacerbates vulnerabilities, particularly for women in climate-vulnerable sectors, leading to increased risks and diminished opportunities. Conversely, the transition to greener economies offers unmet job opportunities and a chance for significant economic empowerment for women. As IFC focuses on catalyzing growth and innovation in emerging markets, integrating gender equity with climate action aligns perfectly with the World Bank’s mission to end extreme poverty on a livable planet.

Why Participate? Unmatched Opportunities Await

  • Real-World Experience: Dive deep into the realm of impact investing, guided by the expertise of IFC, the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets.
  • Global Platform: Showcase your innovative ideas on a global stage, with the chance to make a tangible difference in developing countries.
  • Exclusive Training: Get exclusive access to master classes on impact investing and impact management from IFC professionals, along with soft skills training on drafting investment proposals and effective pitching.
  • Meet IFC Senior Leadership: If you make it to the finals, you will get a chance to come to Washington, D.C. to pitch your ideas in front of IFC's senior leadership team, and an exclusive networking event with IFC management.

Challenge Timeline (Tentative)

  • Proposal Submission Deadline: April 15, 2024
  • Masterclass: Spread over the last two weeks of April, 2024
  • Detailed Proposal Submission Deadline: May 10, 2024 (Tentative)
  • Announcement of Finalists: Mid-May 2024
  • Grand Finale: Early June 2024 

How to Participate?

Here's how you can be a part of this transformative journey:

  • Eligibility: Open to graduate students from IFC member countries.
  • Team Formation: Assemble a team of up to three individuals.
  • Idea Submission: Present your proposal focusing on the gender-climate nexus in one of the priority sectors identified by IFC.

Preparing and Submitting Your Proposal

Please find more details about the challenge, including what we are looking for in the challenge prompt. You will need to submit your proposal consisting of a video presentation of no longer than 3 minutes together with a presentation deck to IFC by April 15th 2024, at 11:59 pm EST

All participants will get access to a series of masterclasses and trainings, and shortlisted teams will be asked to submit a more detailed proposal to IFC by the first week of May.

For the winners of 2024 edition

IFC Impact Investing Fellowship: Embark on a two month paid fellowship with IFC, working alongside investment teams on real-world deals to bring your innovative ideas to life.

Career-Defining Exposure: Gain significant exposure, enhance your CV, and earn the prestigious title of IFC Impact Investing Challenge Winner.

Join the conversation

Connect with us and the global community. Share your innovative ideas and join the dialogue using #IFCImpactChallenge2024 on your preferred social media platforms.