Turning gender-smart finance into action through collaboration and practical solutions
Luxembourg, June 2026. The Global Gender-Smart Fund (GGSF) hosted its first Gender-Smart Action Lab, bringing together more than 80 investors, financial institutions, impact practitioners, and gender advocates at the European Convention Center Luxembourg (ECCL) for a full day focused on advancing gender-smart finance through practical action.
The event was designed as an interactive space for participants to move beyond conversations and explore how financial institutions, investors, and impact practitioners can translate gender commitments into concrete strategies, stronger systems, and measurable outcomes.
The day opened with keynote reflections from Yuriko Backes, Luxembourg Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity, and Mary Ellen Iskenderian, CEO of Women’s World Banking, who highlighted that gender equality is not only a social imperative, but also an economic opportunity that contributes to stronger institutions, more resilient economies, and sustainable growth.
Through interactive sessions, workshops, and discussions, participants explored key questions around the future of gender-smart finance:
- How can institutions move from gender intentions to evidence-based action?
- Why do gender-neutral approaches not always address women’s specific needs?
- How can investors support financial institutions in building more inclusive products and strategies?
- What lessons can gender finance learn from other areas of impact investing?
Participants also heard real stories from financial institutions and women entrepreneurs, highlighting how access to finance, gender-focused strategies, and tailored support can create meaningful economic opportunities and strengthen businesses.
One of the highlights of the day was the “Pitch Your Gender Fund” workshop, where participants worked collaboratively to design innovative investment solutions addressing unmet needs faced by women. Teams explored ideas ranging from financing women-owned businesses in the informal sector and improving financial literacy, to investing in women’s health, childcare solutions, and gender responsive infrastructure.
The event concluded with participants sharing concrete commitments to continue advancing gender equity, including strengthening gender representation in leadership, supporting women entrepreneurs, improving financial inclusion, and challenging unconscious biases within organizations.
The first GGSF Gender-Smart Action Lab demonstrated that the sector already has the knowledge, evidence, and commitment needed to advance gender-smart finance. The challenge ahead is turning this momentum into sustained action and measurable impact.
GGSF thanks all speakers, partners, participants, and sponsors who contributed to making this first edition a success.
