Applications for the 2021/22 Climate Safe Lending Fellowship have now closed. If you are interested to apply please email lydia@financeinnovationlab.org.

This year, the Climate Safe Lending Network, in partnership with Finance Innovation Lab, is pleased to launch the new Climate Safe Lending (CSL) Fellowship - a leadership programme for banking professionals working to accelerate the climate action of their institutions from the inside, in service of a just and equitable transition to a climate safe world. 

About the programme

Beginning in October 2021, this six-month Fellowship offers a confidential, pre-competitive learning and development space for committed climate advocates who currently work in a bank, and are working to advance climate action in their institutions - whether as part of their day job or side-of-desk. Over six months, Fellows will build their knowledge, confidence and skills for transforming their institutions from within. They will also have regular access to peer coaching, network-building with stakeholders across and beyond banking, as well as dedicated support from the programme team to move forward with the specific challenges they face in their climate action work.   

For more details on the programme, visit the CSL Fellowship website at www.climatesafelending.org/fellowship.

Who is the programme for?

We are bring together a cohort of 20-25 banking professionals who are committed to advancing climate action, and who demonstrate the potential to influence and catalyse change in their respective institutions. 

The Fellowship is open to applicants who:

• Currently work in a bank. Applicants are welcome from all banks regardless of size or the stage of its journey towards net-zero. Applicants from non-bank lending institutions and development finance institutions are welcome too.

• Are actively working to progress the climate agenda in their institutions, irrespective of function. It doesn't matter whether applicants have a sustainability-related job, work in other parts of the bank (e.g. risk, legal, business units, etc); or are focused on climate action in their day job or side-or-desk.

• Have minimum 3 years' experience in banking. Climate action can be taken by anyone and everyone, regardless of their seniority. Applicants with less than 3 years of experience can apply if they are able to demonstrate their potential for impact. 

We aim for this cohort to reflect the communities that the banking sector serves and impacts. We actively encourage applications from those underrepresented in mainstream banking, including (but not limited to) BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled people.  

Application type

We encourage all applicants to seek support from their organisation to sponsor their participation on the programme where possible. The true cost of the programme per participant is USD 10,500. We are able to offer subsidised fees on a sliding scale due to the generous support of our philanthropic donors.

• Organisation-sponsored

  • USD 5,500: Large banks and lending institutions (more than $100bn total assets)

  • USD 4,500: Medium-sized banks and lending institutions (between $5bn and $100bn total assets)

  • USD 3,500: Small banks and lending institutions (less than $5bn total assets)

• Self-funded

  • USD 1,900: For individuals unable to obtain support from their organisations

• Bursary places

  • We understand that some applicants may not be able to secure sponsorship from their organisation or self-fund their participation. Bursary places will be offered based on need, although we ask participants to make a small financial contribution if they are able to.

Application Stage 1: Online written application

Eligible applicants who meet the above criteria will be assessed and shortlisted based on their:

• Drive and commitment

• Demonstrated action

• Potential for systemic impact

• Appetite to learn and grow

You will have a chance to demonstrate the above criteria in this online application form on the Applied platform. Applications on this platform are administered by the Finance Innovation Lab, delivery partner for the Climate Safe Lending Fellowship.

Application Stage 2: Experience Session and Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to join a two-hour virtual Experience Session. This will be an opportunity to mutually gauge interest and fit. The session will also support applicants to clarify and refine the challenge they would like to bring to the programme.

We ask all applicants to hold the following dates/times for the Experience Session. The final date will be will be confirmed by 7 July 2021 (depending on candidates' availability).

• 14 July 2021 (4-6pm BST)

• 16 July 2021 (2-4pm BST)

Our final selection will be guided by ensuring a diverse mix of individuals in the cohort (including personal identities, size of institution and the role, function and location of participants) to maximise the learning potential of the group. 

Final candidates will be invited to a 30-minute interview to confirm their place on the programme. Interviews will take place during the week of 26 July 2021.

Fellowship places will be announced by 6 August 2021.

For more information

Register for a CSL Fellowship Information Session or Taster Workshop for more information, or visit our website to view a detailed programme overview, FAQs, and programme dates.

Get in touch with us at learninglab@climatesafelending.org if you have any other questions you would like to discuss.

Thank you and good luck with your application!

[Note: Online applications are administered by the Finance Innovation Lab who are a member of the Climate Safe Lending Network, and delivery partner for the Climate Safe Learning Lab.]