The Dutch Good Growth Fund – Financing Local SMEs (DGGF2) has approved an additional commitment of a maximum of EUR 1,012,353 to the Gender Lens Investing (GLI) Technical Assistance (TA) Program, increasing the total budget from EUR 748,738 to a maximum of EUR 1,761,091. The contract amendment extends the program by three years, moving its end date from June 2026 to June 2029.
The GLI TA Program is implemented by a consortium led by Tetra Tech, a global technical and management consultancy with a focus on international development, and Value for Women, an advisory firm specializing in gender inclusion in business, investment, and finance. The program offers support to DGGF2’s investees, including fund managers, financial institutions, and portfolio companies, primarily in emerging and developing markets. Its ultimate beneficiaries are women entrepreneurs, employees, and consumers who benefit from more inclusive business practices and improved access to capital and leadership opportunities.
Image: © DGGF
The purpose of this TA is to deepen and expand gender lens investing practices across the DGGF2 portfolio. Through a combination of hands-on advisory, virtual and in-person training, and peer learning, the program supports investees in embedding gender considerations into their operations and investment strategies. The second phase of the program introduces several new components, including self-paced learning for fund managers and their portfolio companies through DGGF Academy, enhanced dedicated TA for portfolio companies, a dedicated stream of virtual assistance for financial institutions, and specific guidance for integrating the updated 2X Challenge Criteria for fund managers, their portfolio companies, and financial institutions.
Since its launch in 2022, the program has surpassed the initial target of investees satisfaction ratings. Participants have reported meaningful improvements in their understanding and application of gender lens approaches, with several making tangible changes in their organizational practices. This next phase of the program will build on the positive momentum of its first years, while introducing improvements to enhance sustainability and scale. It aims to deepen engagement, broaden participation, and embed gender inclusion more systematically across the DGGF2 portfolio.
DGGF2 is funding this initiative as part of its commitment to foster more inclusive and equitable economic systems. By strengthening gender lens investing across its portfolio, DGGF2 aims to support long-term institutional change that improves outcomes for women and contributes to broader development impact in emerging markets. Deepening impact for lasting change by building on demonstrated results and responding to rising demand for advanced gender support to ensure long-term, sustainable gender-inclusive practices across funds and portfolio companies.
Investment
Additional TA commitment of up to €1,012,353 to the Gender Lens Investing TA Program (total budget up to €1,761,091). The program has been extended to June 2029.
Sector
Cross-cutting (portfolio-wide, all sectors), focused on strengthening gender lens investing across fund managers, financial institutions, and portfolio companies in emerging and developing markets.