The Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN) is pleased to announce a competitive opportunity for current ARIN Fellows to participate in a series of three Regional Dialogues on Bridging the Climate Finance Gap in Africa. These dialogues will take place between late 2025 and early 2026 and are instrumental in building the foundation for the Third Annual Climate Finance in Africa Conference, scheduled for April 2026 in Kampala, Uganda.

The Regional Dialogues aim to generate insights, strengthen regional networks, and co-produce evidence that will inform Africa’s climate finance agenda. Contributions from ARIN Fellows will directly feed into the development of the 2026 State of Evidence Report on Climate Finance in Africa—a flagship knowledge product that will guide policy, investment decisions, and institutional reforms across the continent.

Scope of Engagement for ARIN Fellows

Selected ARIN Fellows will play a central role in shaping the outcomes of the dialogues and contributing to meaningful discourse and evidence generation. Specifically, they will:

• • Join regional clusters, each coordinated by an ARIN Regional Focal Point, to ensure geographical relevance and contextual expertise.
  • Co-develop a regional case study report, incorporating perspectives from their respective countries.

• Participate in Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) tied to the ongoing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) finance study, bringing local knowledge and lived experience into the conversation.
• Synthesize and consolidate findings, which will contribute to both regional convenings and the continental evidence base informing the April 2026 conference.

Expected Deliverables

Each selected Fellow will be responsible for:

• • A collaborative regional case study report, guided by the Regional Focal Point and peer-reviewed by ARIN’s research network.
  • Documented input from participation in FGDs, capturing critical insights on national and regional climate finance issues.

• Active and sustained participation in virtual or physical regional convenings and associated events.

Eligibility Criteria

This call is primarily open to current ARIN Fellows. However, in exceptional cases, non-Fellows with strong qualifications may be considered.

Eligible applicants must:

• Be a current ARIN Fellow (non-Fellows may apply only under specific, approved conditions).
• Demonstrate a clear background or strong interest in climate finance, sustainable development, or related policy and research fields.
• Show commitment to collaborative research and engagement in regional policy dialogues.
• Apply to join the regional cluster that aligns with their country of origin. Exceptions will only be made for Fellows who live and work actively in another African region.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must submit a concise Expression of Interest (maximum 500 words) by 7th September 2025 to:

• Email: e.akinyi@arin-africa.org
• CC: e.kowenje@arin-africa.org, j.mandela@arin-africa.org
• Subject Line: EOI_Regional Dialogues_Your Full Name

The EOI should briefly address:

1. Motivation for participating in the dialogues.
2. Relevant experience in climate finance, research, or policy engagement.
3. The regional cluster applied for and the country perspective being brought in.
4. Availability and commitment to contribute throughout the full duration of the process.

Evaluation Process

EOIs will be competitively reviewed by the ARIN Secretariat in collaboration with Regional Focal Points. Selection will be based on:

• • Demonstrated expertise or practical experience in climate finance, sustainable development, or aligned thematic areas.
  • Evidence of prior research, policy engagement, or practice relevant to the applicant’s country or region.

• • Clarity of motivation and potential contribution to the regional dialogues.

• Ability to participate actively in FGDs, convenings, and report drafting.
• Willingness to work collaboratively with peers and Regional Focal Points.
• Representation balance across regional clusters (East, West, Southern Africa).

To ensure diversity and inclusion, ARIN will prioritize:

• Gender balance
• Early-career researchers
• Voices from underrepresented communities and perspectives