Global development institution International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is deploying training within the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) programme– its green building design and certification programme for the built environment– to promote equality and inclusion in industry through its Women in Green Building (WiGB) competition.

The competition, held in collaboration with Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), is designed to help empower women by allowing them to attain greater recognition and access in the construction industry, says IFC EDGE regional programme lead for Africa Lenore Cairncross.

She believes that this competition – which started in 2022 – is particularly adept at acknowledging women’s achievements across various disciplines – including architecture, construction, engineering, finance and other market sectors – while helping them navigate challenges in their work environments.

“There’s a technical skills gap among women in green building design and certification. Personally, I’ve experienced bias and stereotyping. People have sometimes assumed I was there to take notes, rather than to lead. That’s why I helped start the WiGB competition to equip women with the technical tools they need and to nurture the next generation of leaders,” she says.

Solutions

Cairncross highlights that she has changed her approach to ensure that her voice is heard in formerly male-dominated environments, which, in turn, helps drive inclusion and women’s recognition in the construction and green building sectors.

“I’ve learned not to wait for permission to speak. Women are often socialised to hold back, but stepping into your voice is essential. I’ve had support from male mentors who championed me and created space. I also believe women need to lift each other up. When we collaborate instead of competing, we all rise,” she says.

Her approach has led to her thoughts, suggestions and skills being considered, where previously they may have been ignored. It also resulted in offers for guidance and mentorship by male counterparts.

“Men can help by inviting women to share their views in a natural, non-pressured way: ‘What do you think?’ goes a long way.”

She notes that it will take some time for change to be fully felt in the industry, but there is progress, as more women are now entering the green building sector.

She adds that the WiGB competition demonstrates this ongoing transformation, particularly in terms of “building a pipeline of talent.” This year alone, the WiGB attracted 55 entries from Southern Africa, with ten finalists announced in May. These finalists have embarked on specialised training: six are on their way to becoming EDGE Experts, while the remaining four are advancing their skills to qualify as EDGE Auditors.

EDGE Experts serve as accredited advisers, guiding clients toward designing and constructing green buildings, while EDGE Auditors assess whether projects meet the requirements for EDGE certification. After completing their examinations, the finalists will be revealed in October, and the prize-giving ceremony will take place at the GBCSA Annual Convention in November 2025.

“We’ve run the WiGB competition in South Africa for four years, helping women qualify as EDGE Experts and now EDGE Auditors, and now over 45% of EDGE Experts are women. These credentials open doors to new roles. With ongoing support, I’m hopeful we’ll create a more inclusive, sustainable future for all,” she concludes.