SIFEM endorses a new Statement of Intent reaffirming their collective commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment through the 2X Challenge.
SIFEM endorses a new Statement of Intent reaffirming their collective commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment through the 2X Challenge.
SIFEM has joined development and multilateral finance institutions in endorsing a new Statement of Intent reaffirming their collective commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment through the 2X Challenge.
The statement was presented on 16 September at the 2026 2X Global Summit in Montréal, Canada. SIFEM is among the participating development finance institutions that endorsed the statement and contributed to the consultation process leading to its publication.
The 2X Challenge brings together development and multilateral finance institutions around a common objective: mobilising investment that meaningfully supports women’s economic empowerment.
Since its launch at the G7 Summit in 2018, the initiative has mobilised more than USD 34 billion for investments advancing women’s economic empowerment in the private sector. The current 2024–2027 Challenge aims to mobilise at least a further USD 20 billion, with participation expanded to private sector investors.
Against a challenging global economic environment and persistent gaps in women’s economic participation, the new Statement of Intent reaffirms the role that development finance can play in mobilising capital and creating economic opportunities for women.
The participating institutions commit to focusing their collective efforts on contributing to the 2024–2027 2X Challenge target; mobilising private capital at scale; supporting investees in strengthening their alignment with the 2X Criteria; incorporating considerations for women across sectors and asset classes, including climate finance; sharing evidence and lessons from their portfolios; and promoting women’s safety through strong environmental, social and governance practices.
These priorities closely align with SIFEM’s approach to women’s economic empowerment.
For the 2025–2028 strategic period, SIFEM increased its target for investments supporting women’s economic empowerment to 30% of new commitments. In 2025, 31% of SIFEM’s investments already qualified under the 2X Criteria, while a further 46% were in the process of qualification.
The joint statement also highlights EcoEnterprises Fund IV as an example of how the 2X approach is being translated into investment.
SIFEM committed USD 10 million to the fund in 2025. Managed by the women-led EcoEnterprises Impact Management, the fund invests in small and medium-sized businesses across Latin America and the Caribbean operating in areas including sustainable agriculture and forestry, renewable energy, circular economy and other nature-based and low-carbon sectors.
EcoEnterprises Fund IV is a 2X-qualifying fund and has committed to ensuring that at least half of its portfolio meets the 2X Criteria by the end of the fund’s life. SIFEM invested alongside FMO, FinDev Canada, IFC, Proparco and JICA, with the six development finance institutions collectively committing USD 70 million.
Through its participation in the 2X Challenge and investments such as EcoEnterprises Fund IV, SIFEM will continue working with its partners to mobilise capital, strengthen gender-responsive investment practices and expand economic opportunities for women in emerging and developing markets.
The position is based in Switzerland, with international travel as required.
The position is based in Switzerland, with international travel as required.
