Welcome to the FiCS Lab

Finance in Common (FiCS), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) have partnered to operationalize the FiCS Financial Innovation Lab with CPI as its secretariat. In September 2023, FiCS announced, the creation of a “Financial Innovation Lab” in its final communiqué from the 2023 FiCS Summit”. The vision is to bring together public development banks (PDBs) and experts around an action-oriented platform to accelerate the implementation of climate finance and the 2030 SDG agenda.

THE FICS LAB INCUBATOR SELECTS THREE INNOVATIVE CLIMATE FINANCE INSTRUMENTS

THE FICS LAB INCUBATOR SELECTS THREE INNOVATIVE CLIMATE FINANCE INSTRUMENTS

To accelerate climate finance in emerging markets and developing economies, the FiCS Lab Incubator focuses on innovative financial instruments from PDBs that demonstrate innovation, actionability, and catalytic potential.  

Launched in 2024 as a partnership between Climate Policy Initiative, Finance in Common, and the Inter-American Development Bank, the FiCS Lab Incubator supports the development of innovative financial solutions tailored for PDBs and aimed at overcoming challenges in climate finance. After conducting a competitive selection process, the Incubator selected three proposals to receive both financial and technical support:

  • Uganda Development Bank is tackling currency risk challenges by developing a novel risk distribution instrument involving a development-oriented hedge provider and an innovative tail-end guarantee.

  • Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is conducting critical assessments to establish a voluntary carbon market platform, addressing existing barriers to effective market development.

  • Development Bank of Minas Gerais (BDMG), Brazil is creating a Credit and Production Guarantee Fund to assist local farmers in transitioning to regenerative agriculture practices.

For the Incubator’s next cycle, PDBs will be able to apply through a call for proposals open from September 2025 to November 2025.

WHAT IS THE FICS LAB?

WHAT IS THE FICS LAB?

The mission of the FiCS Lab is to foster innovation and collaboration among PDBs in accelerating climate finance efforts, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies. 

To achieve this, the FiCS Lab focuses on three pillars:

  • Pillar 1: Sharing and advancing knowledge and best practices on financial innovation gaps, initiatives, and implementation. This will be achieved by producing issues briefs, blogs, and disseminating knowledge products.
  • Pillar 2: Facilitating structured dialogues to standardize or harmonize approaches by creating m workstreams, workplans and any relevant governance arrangements.
  • Pillar 3: Supporting incubation of specific financial innovations in institutions that are ready to act but need technical and/or financial support.

FICS LAB WORKING GROUPS

FICS LAB WORKING GROUPS

FiCS Lab Working Groups provide a dedicated, PDB-led space for knowledge sharing and policy dialogue. Meeting virtually once a month, working groups hear insights from external experts, share their lessons learned, and develop guiding materials for the FiCS membership. Working groups for 2025 will cover: 

 

  • Blended Finance – Guarantees
  • Currency Risk
  • National Climate Goals
  • Risk Mitigation – Insurance

To join a working group, please fill out this form or contact the FiCS Lab at FiCSLab@cpiglobal.org

Contact us

Contact us

Do you have any questions? 

Feel free to contact us: FiCSLab@cpiglobal.org