EIB and European Commission Launch Gender Finance Lab for Commercial Banks

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission have launched the InvestEU Gender Finance Lab, a unique advisory programme aimed at enhancing access to finance for women-owned and women-led SMEs in Europe. This initiative is supported by 25 European banks that have committed to a masterclass programme. The programme includes various components such as designing gender-responsive financial products and understanding the contributions of women-led SMEs to economic growth. The gender-smart finance masterclass is set to commence in March 2025, focusing on inclusivity and gender equality in finance.