The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has opened a public consultation on its proposed Gender Equality and Human Capital (GEHC) Strategy for 2026-30. The consultation period will remain open until 12 April, and the Bank is inviting stakeholders to share their comments by emailing gehcstrategy@ebrd.com.The new strategy aligns with the EBRD’s Strategic and Capital Framework for 2026-30, in which human capital and equal opportunities are identified as one of the institution’s three main priorities. These sit alongside economic governance reforms and the transition to a greener economy, with digital technology and private-sector mobilisation acting as cross-cutting enablers across all areas.
The GEHC Strategy outlines how the EBRD plans to advance gender equality and strengthen human capital across its regions of operation. Its focus is on long-term, systemic improvements that can expand access to skills development, quality jobs, and inclusive financial systems. The strategy also places emphasis on creating supportive business environments, improving infrastructure and energy services for underserved populations, and safeguarding human capital and gender equality in areas affected by conflict or fragility. It encourages approaches that are scalable, adaptable, and capable of delivering durable change through policy reform, institutional development, and shifts in social and economic behaviour.
Drawing on a strong foundation – including a four-fold increase in projects with gender and human capital impacts since 2020 – the strategy maintains the goal that at least 40 per cent of the EBRD’s yearly operations will promote gender equality. It also introduces a new measurement indicator for projects that deliver meaningful human capital outcomes, with a baseline expectation that they will represent at least 50 per cent of annual operations. In addition, it reaffirms the commitment that no less than 80 per cent of investments in Ukraine will incorporate human capital components.
To ensure accountability and transparency, the strategy strengthens monitoring and reporting systems and enhances institutional capacity development. A newly established monitoring framework sets out concrete goals for the next five years. These include providing upskilling opportunities to more than 50,000 individuals, improving infrastructure and energy access for 25 million people, and delivering €1 billion in financing to underserved groups, including at least €500 million specifically for women.
The EBRD welcomes input from partners, clients, civil society organisations, and the wider public. Feedback collected during the consultation will support the refinement of the GEHC Strategy before final approval, helping ensure that it aligns with market needs and the priorities of the Bank’s regions, sectors, and stakeholders.
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