The Climate Finance Fellowship, part of the Climate Talent Initiative, is a pioneering program designed to address the critical talent gap in the climate change sector. The pilot program is working with nonprofit organizations focused on energy transition. 

The Climate Finance Fellowship equips midcareer finance professionals from the Global South with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to make a successful transition into nonprofit climate finance sector. Over 12 months, Fellows gain hands-on experience through professional placements, receive climate and leadership development training, and benefit from personalized coaching and a supportive community.

• The Climate Finance Fellows come from diverse professional backgrounds in finance which includes the public and private sector including Standard Chartered, Bloomberg, and central banks. 
• The first cohort consisted of 19 Fellows based in 11 different countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• At the midway point of the Fellowship, the Fellows have contributed immensely to their Host Organizations by authoring reports on green finance topics, such as central banks' refinancing operations and asset quality standards, with publications featured in major outlets like CaiXin. 
• Fellows have written articles and op-eds on climate finance, the carbon credit market, and sustainable agriculture. They have also organized and led events, including the Climate Finance and Sustainable Finance Week, engaging global stakeholders on topics like green central banking and just transitions.
• Fellows have been instrumental in contributing to green finance taxonomies for countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and Hong Kong. They’ve offered technical recommendations and developed strategies, such as the Climate Finance Strategy for their Host Organization. 
• Fellows have also conducted comprehensive analyses on municipal budgets, CSR initiatives, and climate-focused investments, while developing educational content on climate governance. Through these efforts, they are driving meaningful progress in aligning financial systems with an eventual goal of a Just Energy Transition.

• Bridge the supply of passionate finance professionals who want to pursue a purpose-led career with climate finance nonprofits who have a large demand for finance talent to scale their impact
• Equip the Fellows with the necessary skills, knowledge, networks, and support to successfully transition to the climate finance nonprofit sector
• Fulfill staffing needs and grow the capacity of nonprofits working in the climate finance nonprofit sector

• Professional placement: Fellows gain hands-on and practical experience, build their knowledge of the climate finance and energy transition sector, and grow their professional network through a 12-month, full time professional placement with a climate finance nonprofit. 
• Climate education: IREX partnered with climate education provider Terra.do to deliver a 12-week intensive climate change education program. In addition, the Fellows receive a professional development fund which allows them to continue their climate education in a bespoke manner that addresses the specific needs of their role. 
• Leadership development: Fellows receive leadership development training through professional coaching and monthly webinars that include topics such as strategic leadership, personal values in leadership, and measuring social impact.
• Building a climate finance community: Fellows connect with their peers and other professionals in the climate finance ecosystem at the Lauch Convening in Singapore and grow their climate finance network. The Fellows will close out the Fellowship experience by gathering for the Closing Convening in Singapore.