AIR’s Gender-Disaggregated Data (GDD) for Inclusive Regulation Program supports financial sector regulators to strengthen how gender-disaggregated data is collected, analysed, and applied in supervision and policymaking. By positioning data as both a diagnostic and an accountability tool, the program supports more adaptive, inclusive regulation.
The program combines research, collaboration and design sprints to:
AIR is convening a virtual Global Design Sprint focused on accelerating the adoption and practical use of gender-disaggregated data (GDD) across financial ecosystems globally.
The Global Design Sprint will bring together regulators, financial services providers, development institutions, ecosystem organisations, researchers, technologists, and storytelling experts from across jurisdictions to collaboratively explore practical approaches for translating gender data into actionable insights, tools, incentives, and measurable outcomes.
The AIR Global Design Sprint is a six-week, platform-enabled virtual Sprint designed to move beyond data collection and reporting toward the practical activation and use of gender-disaggregated data.
The Sprint combines AI, human-centred storytelling and market activation approaches to explore how gender-disaggregated data can be translated into practical solutions that support better decision-making, product innovation, accountability, and financial inclusion outcomes.
Participants may join the Sprint as part of pre-formed teams or organisations, collaborate with others to form multidisciplinary and cross-jurisdictional teams during the Sprint process, or work independently to ideate, prototype, and refine solutions across three interconnected tracks.
The AI Track explores how artificial intelligence can support the generation, analysis, interpretation, and practical use of gender-disaggregated data to improve decision-making across the financial ecosystem.
Participants will explore how AI-enabled tools and approaches can help identify patterns, generate insights, support customer segmentation, and improve the accessibility and usability of gender data.
The Human Stories Track focuses on translating data into clear, engaging, and human-centred narratives that make insights more meaningful and actionable for decision-making across institutions and markets.
Participants will explore how storytelling, qualitative insights, and user-centred communication approaches can complement quantitative data to better surface the lived experiences, needs, and challenges of underserved women.
The Market Action Track focuses on applying GDD-related insights to financial sector challenges and opportunities.
Participants will explore how practical tools and approaches can help financial services providers identify underserved female segments, uncover market opportunities, and strengthen decision-making. This includes designing dashboard concepts and insight tools that make gender-disaggregated data more actionable and commercially relevant for financial institutions.
The track will also examine how organisations can better understand and measure the influence of GDD insights on institutional strategies, product development, and operational decision-making.
Through collaborative ideation and prototyping, participants will develop practical concepts that connect data insights to implementation, market action, and measurable outcomes.
Dates: 20 July – 4 September 2026
Format: Virtual Sprint
Duration: Six weeks
Participation Model: Combination of webinars, masterclasses, collaborative and hands-on solution development
Time commitment: The AIR Global Design Sprint is designed to be flexible and compatible with participants’ existing commitments. The Sprint will offer a combination of live and asynchronous activities, including masterclasses, mentorship sessions, collaborative exchanges, and independent Sprint development activities. While participants are encouraged to join live sessions where possible, recordings and supporting materials will be made available throughout the Sprint to accommodate different time zones and schedules.
Participants may self-select attendance to sessions most relevant to their interests, track areas, and stage of solution development. Throughout the Sprint, participating teams and individuals will also have opportunities to engage in mentorship exchanges and regular check-ins with the AIR team to support collaboration, feedback, and ongoing solution development.
Live Q&A Session: A virtual drop-in Q&A session for prospective applicants will take place on 23 June at 2 PM BST. Register here to join us to learn more about the Sprint, what we’re looking for and whether it’s the right fit for your ideas, objectives and expertise.
The Global Design Sprint aims to connect possibility with action by exploring how AI, data, and human insight can generate better understanding, drive decisions, improve financial inclusion outcomes, and create more effective strategies.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
The Global Design Sprint is designed for participants from across the global financial, innovation and GDD ecosystems — and other related sectors — who are involved in:
• AI & data science
• Financial inclusion & gender equity
• Product innovation & strategy
• Digital financial services & fintech
• Policy & regulation
• Customer insights & storytelling
• Research & analytics
• Data visualisation, UX & graphic/insight design
• MSME & women’s economic empowerment initiatives
Participants do not need to be technical experts in gender-disaggregated data or the financial sector to apply. The Global Design Sprint is designed to bring together diverse perspectives and expertise from across disciplines and regions.
Selected participants will actively contribute to collaborative Sprint activities, discussions, and solution development sessions across the three Sprint tracks.
Participants may join the Global Design Sprint as part of pre-formed teams or organisations seeking to further develop early-stage solutions, ideas, or initiatives through mentorship, collaboration, and ecosystem engagement.
Individuals are also invited to apply independently and may choose to participate solo or self-organise into teams during the Global Design Sprint based on shared expertise, interests, and track selection.
A limited number of observers may be invited to attend selected webinars, showcase sessions, or final presentations.
Individuals, companies, and organisations interested in contributing to the Global Design Sprint through leading masterclasses or learning workshops, mentorship, and providing technical and research inputs and data are encouraged to get in touch by completing this expression of interest form.
The Global Design Sprint is connected to wider in-country GDD Sprint activities, creating opportunities for cross-jurisdictional learning across the broader ecosystem.
Participants based in Nigeria, or those interested in engaging in the in-person Sprint event in Nigeria, are encouraged to express their interest here to be notified of additional information and participation opportunities when live.
To apply to the AIR Global Design Sprint, please complete the application form at this link. Please note that you will be required to create an account on the platform to apply.
Once your registration has been approved, please navigate to the ‘AIR Global Design Sprint’ tab under ‘Sprint Programs’ and follow the instructions marked in bold to apply.
Application Deadline: 1st July 2026
Selected participants will be notified by 13 July 2026.
Additional information about the Sprint process, participation expectations, and Sprint tracks can be found in the Global Design Sprint participation pack.
AIR thanks our GDD Program Global Advisory Group members for helping inform the design of the Global Design Sprint and for their overall engagement with the program:
• CGAP
• Consumer CentriX
• Financial Alliance for Women
• Gates Foundation
• SME Finance Forum
• UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)
• Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi)
• Women’s World Banking
INITIATIVE • Gender-Disaggregated Data for Inclusive Regulation
This program supports regulators to strengthen how gender-disaggregated data is collected, analyzed, and applied in supervision and policymaking. By positioning data as both a diagnostic and an accountability tool, the program supports more adaptive, inclusive regulation.
BLOG • Going Further, Together: Collaborating to Strengthen Gender-Disaggregated Data
This blog outlines collaborative work, challenges in data use, and the multi-country effort to better collect, analyze, and apply GDD for meaningful policy impact.
PODCAST • Seeing the Gaps: Gender Data and the Future of Inclusive Finance
Wendy Teleki and Tatiana Alonso join Jo Ann to explore why gender-disaggregated data is essential to inclusive finance, smarter supervision, and unlocking capital for women entrepreneurs worldwide.
Stay informed by joining our mailing list
