Inclusive Design Challenge 2026

To help improve inclusion across the UK, UK Finance is launching the Inclusive Design Challenge (IDC) on 2 March 2026.

The IDC invites eligible organisations to highlight where retail banking products, services or customer journeys are not working well for underserved groups and propose practical, evidence-based improvements.

What is the Inclusive Design Challenge?

The IDC will identify where barriers exist in today's retail banking services and drive collective industry action to remove them.

Organisations that register their interest will be invited to submit a problem statement, explaining:

• What isn't working for a particular customer group(s);
• Where gaps exist in current products, services, or journeys; and
• What could improve accessibility, usability, or financial outcomes.

Submissions should be supported by data, insight, or lived experience evidence.

All eligible submissions will be assessed by UK Finance and the Inclusive Design Working Group. Those meeting the criteria will be recommended for inclusion in the Inclusive Design Delivery Roadmap, which will be published later this year.

Why this matters:

As part of HM Treasury's Financial Inclusion Strategy, UK Finance and its members will explore how to improve access to financial products and services for underserved consumers.

Collaboration reaps big rewards – including improved access to bank accounts for ex-offenders, support for people at risk of homelessness, the Accessible Payment Card, and the introduction of Gambling Blocks.

There is more to do – and your organisation's experience and insight are essential.

Who can take part?

We welcome submissions from organisations that:

• Support consumers facing barriers to accessing or using financial services.
• Have a clear remit and proven track record in representing underserved or vulnerable customer groups.

More details available on our FAQ page

How to submit a problem statement:

Submission window: 2 March – 30 April 2026

1. Register your organisation's interest
   Organisations that register by 26 February will receive the submission form link on 2 March.
   Registrations submitted after this date will receive the link within five working days.
2. Complete the online submission form
   Use the form to outline your problem statement and provide supporting evidence.

A link to the submission form and guidance will be emailed to all registered organisations.

Assessment process:

• UK Finance and the Inclusive Design Working Group will review all submissions to confirm they meet eligibility criteria.
• Eligible submissions will be assessed against a standard set of criteria designed to identify opportunities for collective and individual firm action.
• All applicants will be notified of the outcome by 31 August 2026.

The assessment criteria will be shared with organisations that register their interest.

Get involved:

• Register your organisation's interest via email at UKF-InclusiveDesign@ukfinance.org.uk to receive updates and the submission form link.
• Attend the IDC Support Webinar on 27 February 2026 at 11:00 to learn more about the process.
• Read our FAQs for further information about eligibility and submissions.

If your question isn't covered in our FAQs, you can contact UK Finance at UKF-InclusiveDesign@ukfinance.org.uk

Key Dates:

• 26 February (COB): Deadline for registering your interest – if you want to receive the Inclusive Design Challenge Submission Form on 2 March.
• 27 February 2026: Inclusive Design Challenge Support Webinar.
• 2 March 2026: Inclusive Design Challenge window opens.
• 2 March – 13 March 2026: Expression of Interest – Bilateral meeting request window open.
• 23 March – 3 April 2026: Expression of interest Bilateral meetings held.
• 30 April 2026: Inclusive Design Challenge window closes.
• 31 August 2026: Outcome of Inclusive Design Challenge communicated to all participating organisations.

Alternate formats:

This webpage is optimised for screen readers, and the following alternate formats are available:

Easy read web page

Easy read FAQs

BSL Translation of webpage

BSL Translation of FAQs

If you require further assistance, please contact us at UKF-InclusiveDesign@ukfinance.org.uk

Our ambition:

Meaningful change begins with listening, grows through understanding, and becomes real when we turn what we've heard into action. We look forward to hearing your organisation's insights and working together to advance financial inclusion across the UK.