The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have launched the InvestEU Gender Finance Lab, an advisory programme designed to help EU commercial banks improve access to finance for women-owned and women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Developed by the EIB Group with funding from the InvestEU Advisory Hub, the initiative targets financial intermediaries including commercial banks and fund managers. A core element is the Gender-Smart Finance Master Class, an eLearning programme combining live webinars, interactive discussions and a virtual knowledge hub. The curriculum focuses on assessing the market potential of women-led SMEs, designing gender-responsive financial and non-financial products, and strengthening gender-smart data analysis, measurement and reporting, including alignment with global gender finance approaches such as the 2X Criteria. The first cohort is set to start in March 2025, with a second session foreseen in autumn 2025. Participation is free of charge for institutions.
European Commission 2025-03-05
European Commission and European Investment Bank launch InvestEU Gender Finance Lab to help EU banks expand finance for women-led SMEs
The European Commission and the European Investment Bank have launched the InvestEU Gender Finance Lab to enhance EU commercial banks' access to finance for women-owned and women-led SMEs. The initiative includes a Gender-Smart Finance Master Class, focusing on market potential assessment, gender-responsive product design, and data analysis. The first cohort begins in March 2025, with participation free for institutions.