EU programme launched with banking sector to support women entrepreneurs across Europe
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission just launched a bold new program to close the funding gap for women entrepreneurs. Called the Gender Finance Lab, this initiative is the first of its kind aimed at commercial banks across the EU. Backed by the InvestEU Advisory Hub, it brings banks into a training and advisory program that helps them create better financial products and services for women-led and women-owned small businesses. So far, 25 European banks have signed up — a major step in addressing the stubborn financial barriers many women entrepreneurs face.
The program isn’t just about awareness — it’s packed with practical tools. Banks will go through a masterclass that includes live webinars, expert-led discussions, and access to a virtual knowledge hub. Topics include everything from designing gender-smart products to measuring outcomes and learning from global best practices like the 2X Criteria for gender-lens investing. What’s more, the program highlights a powerful business case: women-led businesses often perform better financially, with lower risk and stronger customer loyalty. It’s not just the right thing to do — it’s also the smart thing.
With this launch, the EIB is doubling down on its commitment to women’s economic empowerment. The bank already has a Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan in place, and in 2024 alone, it signed nearly €89 billion in financing for projects that support over 5 million jobs. By integrating gender equity into lending, advisory, and investment strategy, this new initiative aims to create lasting change — not just for women entrepreneurs, but for the European economy as a whole.
