2025 CIF Youth Fellowship

Nov 05, 2024

Applications are open until December 18, 2024.

Are you a resident of Brazil, Ghana, India, Papua New Guinea, or Türkiye aged between 18 and 28? Are you looking to expand your expertise in climate finance and gain hands-on experience on the frontlines of climate action?

The CIF Youth Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to work on climate finance projects in your own country with the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) and our six partner multilateral development banks (MDBs): African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Inter-American Development Bank, and World Bank Group (including IFC).

What is the CIF Youth Fellowship ?

Launched in 2023, the CIF Youth Fellowship is a one-year career development initiative that embeds young professionals directly into CIF-financed projects in their country. Fellows work as part of national teams, contributing technical expertise, research, project design, and the implementation of climate initiatives.

Whether you are passionate about clean energy, nature-based solutions, climate resilience, or social inclusion, this fellowship offers practical experience to make a meaningful impact.

Your professional growth

Would you like to have a unique experience like Renée, who helped shape IDB’s knowledge base for climate resilience across the Caribbean

The CIF Youth Fellowship is designed to foster significant personal and professional growth, with all former CIF Fellows reporting valuable development experiences. Through capacity-building activities in areas like climate finance, development finance institutions, and leadership, you will gain the skills necessary to drive impactful climate action.

The program includes:

Hands-On Experience: You will work on CIF-financed projects with leading MDBs in your home country. There, you will help drive locally-led, relevant, and sustainable climate solutions. You will also gradually learn to work independently, as well as gaining professional confidence and experience in the climate finance field.
Tailored Training and Mentorship: Fellows can participate in training on monitoring, evaluation, and learning, transformational change, just transitions; gender and social inclusion, and stakeholder engagement. You will also benefit from mentoring from professionals in a variety of areas linked to climate finance.
Global Networking: You will have the opportunity to connect with global youth networks, for example the United Nations Youth Office, YOUNGO, and UNMGCY, expanding your influence and access to advocacy channels and innovation hubs.
Cohort-Based Learning: Fellows will be invited to attend in-person onboarding with their cohort, with regular check-ins and capacity-building activities focusing on CIF's thematic areas. Since each Fellow is placed with a different MDB and will focus on a different project, you will benefit from peer exchange, shared learning, and gain insights into diverse approaches to climate finance.

Application details

Who is eligible to apply?	Candidates should be 18-28 years of age at the time of application. Candidates must be resident in Brazil, Ghana, India, Papua New Guinea, or Türkiye with valid work authorization. Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree or be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program (more details in the relevant fellowship applications). Candidates must be young leaders in climate action with a passion for thematic areas relevant to the Fellowship. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to take on responsibilities independently and have prior exposure, either through learning or work assignments, in climate action or relevant thematic areas. The program will seek to ensure an equitable representation of race and ethnic groups, gender identities, Indigenous peoples and local communities, and other marginalized groups.
What are language requirements?	Fluency in English as well as in the native/local working language in the country context. Good writing skills in both languages.
How long is the Fellowship?	One-year program starting on March 1, 2025, to March 1, 2026, with the possibility of adjustment. Fellows are expected to work between 16 hours (part time) to 40 hours (full time) per week.
What do we offer?	Stipend tailored to the cost of living in Fellowship countries (Purchasing Power Parity). In-kind logistical support such as staff time for mentoring and office space. Specialized training and professional development sessions.
What are the detailed Terms of Reference for each of the Fellowship projects?	Türkiye, Wastewater ad Infrastructure, IFC, CIF Youth Fellowship Türkiye, Climate Finance and Governance, EBRD, CIF Youth Fellowship India, Clean Energy, WB, CIF Youth Fellowship Papua New Guinea, Climate Resilience, ADB, CIF Youth Fellowship Ghana, Clean Energy, AfDB, CIF Youth Fellowship Brazil, Clean Energy, IADB, CIF Youth Fellowship
What is the deadline to apply?	Applications to the 2025 CIF Youth Fellowship will close on December 18, 2024, 23:59 EST.
How do I apply?	Check that you meet all the eligibility requirements outlined above. Register now to participate in the information session on December 10, 2024, at 9:00 am EST. The session is optional, and the recording will be provided shortly after. Fill out the application form before December 18, 2025.