Biniyog Briddhi Gender Lens Investing Analysis, Strategy and Action Plan

The B-Briddhi ("Biniyog Briddhi") was a multi-year project dedicated to supporting a thriving ecosystem where impact enterprises of Bangladesh can grow and scale their impact. Set up as a public private development partnership (PPDP) between the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, Roots of Impact, and LightCastle Partners, the programme strives to improve the financial, social and environmental performance of impact enterprises by helping them to master investment readiness and impact management and get ready to access innovative finance to scale.

The programme unites many important stakeholders such as investors, private sector organizations, incubators, accelerators, support organizations and advocates for impact enterprises.

Kore Global was commissioned to conduct a gender analysis for the B-Briddhi programme, in alignment with the Swiss Cooperation Strategy for Bangladesh 2018-21, which highlights the importance of addressing gender across all programme areas and results reporting processes. 

First, we conducted a holistic gender analysis to provide baseline information on the status of women in the social and impact enterprise ecosystem. For the analysis, we designed a tailored conceptual framework, drawing on Kore Global’s socio-ecological model for Women’s Economic Empowerment, and SDC’s gender analysis framework. We drew on data collected through a literature review, key informant interviews, a short survey and two focus group discussions. The research framework covered a wide range of areas, and focused on a range of stakeholders, including impact entrepreneurs, investors and service providers (incubators and accelerators). Findings were analysed and presented across three key thematic areas: working with women founders, defining and measuring impact, and legal and policy needs. Within each of these, we highlighted the different behaviours, interests and incentives of different stakeholders, which define ecosystem dynamics and drive the market towards inclusion or exclusion. 

Second, we reviewed the programme’s key frameworks and organisational and programmatic capacities to address gender analysis findings. This drew on a review of organisational and programme documents, as well as discussion with staff from both ROI and LCP. The light tough review looked at whether the two organisations meet the following indicators: gender policy and strategy affirms a commitment to gender equality; organisation budgets provide adequate financial resources to support gender and inclusion work; diversity and a gender balance is sought in organisational leadership and workforce; commitment to building staff capacity on Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI); and accountability across the organisation for furthering GESI.

Finally, we co-created a gender strategy and action plan for B-Briddhi. Drawing on the first two areas of work, Kore Global worked with the programme team to co-create a gender strategy, with key recommendations and an action plan, ultimately aimed at supporting the programme in promoting women’s participation in impact investment. As part of this process, we assessed the programme categorisation as per the SDC Gender Policy Marker, and confirmed that the programme will meet the criteria for “gender significant,” once selected recommendations and actions are implemented.