Open Society Foundations to support green industrial strategies in the Global South

Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy (CIIP) has been awarded a grant from the Open Society Foundations (OSF) to provide targeted policy support to governments in the Global South as they design and implement green industrial strategies. The project will focus on strengthening governments’ capacity to formulate ambitious strategies and translate them into effective, operational programmes.

Across numerous countries, green industrial transformation has become a fundamental component of economic development. However, even with strong political commitment, translating strategic plans into effective implementation remains a complex challenge. Limited institutional capacity, resource constraints, and gaps in specialised industrial policy expertise often hinder the conversion of high-level strategies into tangible, practical actions.

The aim is to address that gap by collaborating with policymakers in Indonesia and Mexico to co-develop practical and analytical tools tailored to their specific technological, market, and institutional contexts. Engaging directly with civil servants and technical teams, the goal is to convert strategy into tangible results – supporting the design of concrete programs with measurable impacts. These insights will be disseminated through policy networks and global forums.

“In an era where countries face pressures to digitalise, decarbonise, and stay competitive, thoughtful industrial policy is more critical than ever. This project exemplifies CIIP’s commitment to helping governments navigate the complex trade-offs involved in building greener, more competitive industries,” Dr Carlos López-Gómez, Head of Policy, IfM Engage.

The project was awarded through IfM Engage and will run for 18 months, starting in February 2026.