How can fund managers turn Gender Lens Investing (GLI) from aspiration into day-to-day practice? This article shares Phase 1 results from the Dutch Good Growth Fund’s GLI Technical Assistance program, delivered with Tetra Tech and Value for Women, and outlines the plans for Phase 2.
Image: © DGGF
What you’ll find in this article:
- How 15 funds used in-person bootcamps (in Amsterdam and Nairobi) and 6 months of coaching to formalize GLI across policies, ESG/HR systems, and portfolio engagement.
- Practical drivers of success: leadership commitment, clear actions across the investment lifecycle, cross-team engagement, and ready-to-use tools.
- Early impact: $50M+ in Assets Under Management now aligned with GLI; 4 funds embedding 2X-aligned strategies; 39 portfolio companies supported. (2X Criteria is the global industry standard for assessing and structuring investments that provide women with leadership opportunities, quality employment, finance, enterprise support, and products and services that enhance economic participation and access)
Why it matters:
- 44 fund managers trained in GLI; 22 completed training on gender-based violence and harassment.
- 31 investment professionals from 20 funds strengthened gender integration in investment decisions.
- Tangible shifts in leadership diversity, workplace inclusivity, and overall GLI awareness, supporting DGGF’s ambition to allocate at least 28% to women-led organizations by 2029.
What's upcoming?
Looking ahead, Phase 2 will be modular and co-designed, tailored to each fund’s context, maintaining alignment with the updated 2X Criteria and the Women’s Empowerment Principles and blending virtual and in-person delivery. Furthermore, we deepen portfolio-level business development services, and strengthen impact measurement, learning, and transparent reporting.
Read the full article here to see how GLI is gaining traction across emerging market funds and SMEs.