Gender equality and women’s economic empowerment

Launched by the EIB group and the European Commission, this first‑of‑its‑kind advisory initiative supports EU commercial banks in improving access to finance for women‑owned and women‑led SMEs in Europe.

Through advisory services, capacity building and knowledge‑sharing, the Gender Finance Lab helps financial intermediaries seize the opportunity to invest in female entrepreneurship–while promoting greater diversity across the financial sector.

The EIB’s flagship gender initiative unlocks the potential of women‑owned businesses to drive resilient and inclusive economies.

By combining targeted investments, technical assistance and the exchange of best practices, the initiative enables women entrepreneurs to grow, adapt and thrive. Delivered in partnership with the Government of Luxembourg, the Gates Foundation, the World Bank’s Consultative Group to Assist the Poor and the International Labour Organization, it supports women and communities across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Aligned with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, the initiative strengthens resilience to climate change and food insecurity, while creating opportunities for jobs, innovation and sustainable growth.

Women are often on the frontlines of climate change–yet their leadership remains underrepresented. The Women Climate Leaders Network leverages the power of women leaders to accelerate climate action, environmental sustainability and resilience.

The network brings together outstanding women leaders from the EU private sector who are driving change through innovation, commitment and impact. By connecting expertise and influence, the network amplifies women’s voices in shaping a more sustainable future.

Women‑owned small businesses face a persistent financing gap despite demonstrating lower non‑performing loan rates than those owned by men. Closing this gap represents a major economic opportunity, with the potential to significantly boost global GDP.

The 2X Challenge calls on the G7 and development finance institutions to mobilise capital in support of women’s economic empowerment in developing countries. The EIB Group was the first multilateral development bank to adopt the global 2X Challenge criteria and contributed to the creation of 2X Global, a membership organisation dedicated to building the gender‑lens investing ecosystem.

Led by the European Investment Fund, the Empowering Equity programme promotes greater gender balance in venture capital, private equity and private credit markets. Supported by the InvestEU Advisory Hub, it offers annual community‑building events and a dedicated Mentorship Programme for female fund managers.

The initiative also includes an Academy that connects young women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with career opportunities within the risk‑capital ecosystem.

Together with the World Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GiZ)and the International Transport Forum, the EIB co‑founded the Women in Transport (WiT) Network in 2025. Since then, the WiT Network has been joined by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Union for the Mediterranean.

The WiT Network brings together transport stakeholders committed to empowering women across all facets and levels of the transport sector. It serves as a forum for networking, recruitment, information exchange, training and mentorship opportunities for women.

The EIB has extended the scope of its Sustainability Awareness Bond to include two new social objectives: gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.

The proceeds from these bonds can now be allocated to projects around the world that foster access to capital for women, women‑led businesses and entrepreneurs, as well as to projects promoting gender equality for all.

In partnership with One World Media, the EIB supports the Women’s Solutions Reporting Award, celebrating excellence in journalism that highlights women‑led solutions in the Global South.

The award recognises compelling stories of women and girls who are successfully addressing challenges faced by their communities and societies.