Call for Ideas for the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance 2026 is now open (conditional grants of USD 150,000–250,000 awarded)
Closing Date: 9 November 2025
Call for Ideas for the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance 2026 is now open (conditional grants of USD 150,000–250,000 awarded)
Call for Ideas, Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance 2026
The Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance (The Lab) is inviting bold, market-driven ideas for innovative climate finance instruments that can mobilize private investment to tackle climate change and promote sustainable development. The Lab supports initiatives that drive investments in clean energy, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and green infrastructure across emerging economies.
Selected ideas will receive up to US$250,000 (conditional) in support, alongside technical assistance, expert mentorship, and investor connections to accelerate implementation. The Lab’s 2026 window includes a special focus on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa, supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the ClimateShot Investor Coalition (CLIC).
In 2026 Call for ideas, the Lab will select eight climate finance vehicles.
How the Lab works
The Lab is an investor-led, public-private initiative that incubates innovative well designed, early-stage climate finance solutions and instruments.
What is the Lab looking for?
The Lab will select and develop eight innovative ideas to drive climate finance in 2026. This cycle will focus on regional programs, designed to draw on local expertise and address the unique financial and climate challenges in target countries.
Africa – Mitigation
African countries remain the most vulnerable in the world to climate change, including natural disasters, drought, extreme heat, famine, and flooding. At the same time, as one of the fastest-growing and urbanizing continents, Africa is uniquely positioned to pursue low-carbon, resilient growth.
Even though climate finance in Africa grew nearly 50% in just two years, reaching USD 43.7 billion, it still falls far short of what’s needed. The continent requires approximately USD 190 billion per year, indicating a gap of over USD 146 billion annually. To achieve sustainable and inclusive growth, Africa requires innovative business models that attract investors and facilitate a transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient development, with a focus on clean energy, sustainable agriculture, greener cities, and opportunities for youth and women.
With support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, The Lab is looking for bold, scalable ideas that can drive climate mitigation efforts across Africa. These solutions should leverage financial innovation, blended finance, and private sector engagement to accelerate the transition to low-carbon, resilient economies.
What happens if your idea is selected
If your idea is selected by Lab Members, you will work with a team of analysts, key stakeholders, and experts to:
- Develop or refine the mechanics of your idea.
- Survey the market landscape of comparable solutions and assess the idea’s viability and impact potential.
- Develop robust financial modeling.
- Assess and document potential social and environmental impacts.
- Map risks and risk mitigation strategies.
- Develop a detailed implementation plan.
- Create promotional content and pitch your ideas to donors and investors.
- Get implementation support to execute go to market strategy.
- USD 150-250k conditional grants for eligible endorsed ideas.
How ideas are selected
Applicants must complete an online form (see PDF version for reference). A set of key criteria guides how submitted ideas are assessed and ranked.
Actionable
The Lab looks for ideas that demonstrate: (1) the involvement of entities able to implement the idea with relevant experience; (2) a clear pathway to implementation, including a defined timeframe, key activities, and project milestones; (3) identification of potential risks to implementation and strategies for dealing with them.
Why submit an idea?
Selected ideas receive guidance from high-level leaders from the public and private sectors, who contribute expertise, political support, and financial capital. CPI’s team of experts provide robust analysis, stress-testing, and implementation support.Meet the Lab Team
Selected ideas may also access the Lab’s Pre-Seed Capital Facility, receiving conditional grants of USD 150,000–250,000 to help fast-track implementation.
Who is involved?
The Lab comprises over 100 expert institutions in government, development finance, philanthropy, and the private sector. CPI serves as the Lab Secretariat
Click Here To Apply
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