Philippine Provincial Energy Transition Fund Design Challenge

Powering Local Solutions for a Sustainable Energy Future

The Philippine Provincial Energy Impact Fund Design Challenge is a non-partisan, solutions-driven competition that invites students and young professionals to design innovative financing mechanisms that can accelerate clean, affordable, and resilient energy projects across Philippine provinces.

Participants work in teams to develop Energy Impact Fund concepts tailored to the real needs, constraints, and opportunities of specific local governments and communities.

About the Challenge

Across the Philippines, provinces face persistent energy challenges—high electricity costs, unreliable supply, off-grid communities, and growing climate risks. While renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions exist, financing remains a critical bottleneck.

This challenge bridges that gap by asking participants to answer one core question:

How can provinces design and deploy energy-focused funds that attract capital, manage risk, and deliver real social and climate impact?

What You’ll Do

Over the course of the program, teams will:

• Select a Philippine province or region as their case study

• Identify key energy challenges and opportunities at the local level

• Identify Just Transition challenges, specifying ways that a transition might exclude the marginalized sector 

• Design an Energy Impact Fund that could finance initiatives such as:

  • Distributed solar, microgrids, or hybrid systems

  • Energy access for island, rural, or underserved communities

  • Energy efficiency programs for public buildings or SMEs

  • Climate-resilient energy infrastructure

• Develop a proposal covering:

  • Fund structure and capital sources

  • Governance and stakeholder roles

  • Risk management and financial sustainability

  • Social, economic, and environmental impact

  • Public-Private Partnership Scenarios

What You’ll Learn

Participants gain hands-on experience in:

• Energy systems and local energy planning

• Climate and development finance

• Public–private partnerships and blended finance

• Working within real-world policy, regulatory, and budget constraints

• Team-based problem solving and impact-driven design

Workshops, expert talks, and mentorship sessions will support teams throughout the challenge.

Who Can Join

The challenge is open to:

• University students and recent graduates

• Young professionals in energy, engineering, economics, finance, public policy, environment, or related fields

• Multidisciplinary teams (technical + financial + social perspectives encouraged)

No prior experience in energy finance is required—curiosity, commitment, and collaboration matter most.

Deliverables

Each team will submit:

• A written Energy Impact Fund proposal

• A concise pitch presentation outlining their solution and its impact

• (Optional) A pilot or implementation roadmap for local adoption

Awards & Opportunities

Outstanding teams may receive:

• Seed funding or pilot support to further develop their concept

• Opportunities to present to local governments, investors, utilities, and development partners

• Mentorship, internships, or incubation pathways

• Recognition as Energy & Climate Finance Innovators

Why Participate

By joining the challenge, you will:

• Work on real Philippine energy challenges with real-world relevance

• Build practical skills at the intersection of energy, finance, and development

• Connect with mentors, peers, and institutions shaping the country’s energy transition

• Help design solutions that can improve lives, strengthen communities, and build climate resilience

Get Involved

Applications open soon.

Whether you’re passionate about renewable energy, inclusive development, climate action, or innovative finance, this challenge is your opportunity to help power the future of Philippine provinces—locally, sustainably, and equitably.

Apply | Join as a Partner | Become a Mentor

Practical Learning Materials:

Module 1: Introduction to Impact Investing

• Week 1: Fundamentals of Impact Investing

• Week 2: Impact Investing in the Energy Sector (video)

Module 2: Understanding the Energy Transition

• Week 3: Global Energy Transition Trends

• Week 4: Energy Policy and Regulation in Your Country (video)

Module 3: Identifying Investment Opportunities (video)

• Week 5: Market Analysis and Identifying Gaps (video)

• Week 6: Case Studies of Successful Impact Investments

Module 4: Designing an Impact First Investment Instrument

• Week 7: Structuring the Fund: Financial and Impact Goals

• Week 8: Defining the Investment Thesis and Criteria

Module 5: Organizational Analysis

• Week 9: Identifying Potential Fund Managers

• Week 10: Selecting a Potential Fund Manager in Your Region (video)

Module 6: Financial Modeling and Impact Measurement

• Week 11: Financial Modeling for Impact Investments (video)

• Week 12: Impact Measurement and Management Frameworks

Module 7: Legal and Ethical Considerations

• Week 13: Legal Structures and Compliance

• Week 14: Ethical Considerations in Impact Investing

Module 8: Preparing the Pitch

• Week 15: Developing a Compelling Pitch (video)

• Week 16: Final Preparations and Peer Review

Milestone Assignments:

Milestone 1: Country Energy Sector Analysis

• Description: Conduct a rapid review of the energy sector in your country, identifying key challenges and opportunities for impact investing.

• Format: 8-minute recorded video presentation.

• Submission Deadline: End of Week 4 (deadlines are extended proportionally for those taking the 2-semester format).

Milestone 2: Market Gap and Investment Opportunity Identification

• Description: Identify and analyze specific gaps in the energy market that present opportunities for impact investing.

• Format: 8-minute recorded video presentation.

• Submission Deadline: End of Week 6.

Milestone 3: Fund Structure and Investment Thesis

• Description: Develop a detailed structure for your impact first investment fund, including financial and impact goals, and define your investment thesis and criteria.

• Format: 8-minute recorded video presentation.

• Submission Deadline: End of Week 8.

Milestone 4: Organizational Analysis of a Potential Fund Manager

• Description: Conduct an in-depth analysis of a potential fund manager in your country or region, evaluating their capacity to manage the proposed fund. (video)

• Format: 8-minute recorded video presentation.

• Submission Deadline: End of Week 10.

Milestone 5: Financial Model and Impact Measurement Plan

• Description: Present a financial model for your fund and a detailed plan for measuring and managing impact. (video)

• Format: 8-minute recorded video presentation.

• Submission Deadline: End of Week 12.

Milestone 6: Final Pitch Presentation

• Description: Develop and deliver a final pitch presentation of your impact first investment fund to potential investors, incorporating all elements from previous milestones. (video)

• Format: 8-minute recorded video presentation.

• Submission Deadline: End of Week 16.

Course Resources:

• Readings: Selected academic papers, case studies, and industry reports.

• Tools: Financial modeling software, impact measurement frameworks, and online collaboration platforms.

• Support: Weekly office hours, discussion forums, and peer review sessions.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Analyze the energy sector and identify impact investment opportunities.

2. Design a structured impact first investment fund.

3. Conduct organizational analysis to identify suitable fund managers.

4. Develop financial models and impact measurement plans.

5. Navigate legal and ethical considerations in impact investing.

6. Pitch an impact first investment fund effectively to potential investors.

This course will provide MBA students with a practical and comprehensive understanding of creating impactful investment instruments for advancing the energy transition in their countries.

Samples of Energy Impact Funds

Afterglow Climate Justice Fund

Manulife Global Clean Energy Equity Feeder Fund

Vanguard Energy Fund

Relevant Online Courses

https://www.coursera.org/learn/globalenergyandclimatepolicy/ 

Suggested Readings:

Henderson, Rebecca. "Reimaging Capitalism in a World on Fire." Journal of Markets & Morality 24.1 (2021): 222-226. 

Simon, Morgan. Real impact: The new economics of social change. Bold Type Books, 2017.