International Finance Corporation (IFC) Impact Investing Challenge 2024 for Graduate Students

The IFC Impact Investing Challenge 2024 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.

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.

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Benefits

• 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.
• 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.\

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Eligibility for Impact Investing Challenge 2024

• Open to graduate students from IFC member countries. 
• Current World Bank Group employees (staff and consultants) are not eligible to take part in this challenge.
• Category I Relatives of World Bank Group employees are not eligible to take part in this challenge. Category I Relatives include relatives by blood or adoption – mother, father, son, daughter, sister, brother, half-sister, half-brother, aunt, uncle, niece, and nephew.

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Application of Impact Investing Challenge 2024

 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.