Expert Pools for the Global Gateway (GG) Investment Climate Reform (ICR) Facility

Developing and emerging countries face major challenges in transforming their economies along sustainable paths. Investments are central to this transformation and to fostering sustainable economic growth, but attracting high-quality, long-term capital requires a supportive, business-friendly environment. To help close the global EUR13 trillion investment gap by 2040, the EU launched the Global Gateway (GG), aiming to mobilize up to EUR300 billion for sustainable, high-impact projects.

The GG strategy includes large-scale infrastructure investments measures, as well as measures that address the investment climate and the general enabling environment for economic growth. The Global Gateway (GG) Investment Climate Reform (ICR) Facility is implemented by GIZ (lead), Expertise France, and SNV. It supports EU partner countries in implementing reforms that unlock private investment and foster sustainable growth.

This way, the GG ICR Facility also creates opportunities for the EU Member States" private sector to invest and remain competitive. The GG ICR Facility builds on the successful "ICR Facility 2020-2025", by reinforcing programmatic engagement, boosting private sector involvement, and aligning more closely with GG and Team Europe strategies. Its overall objective is that the investment climate in partner countries is improved ensuring that GG projects generate sustainable growth and jobs.

The specific objective is that supported stakeholders design or implement investment climate actions that leverage the impact of GG projects to the general business environment. The Facility targets 50-60% of interventions to contribute directly to gender equality, including reforms to remove barriers for women entrepreneurs and improve their access to markets and finance. The Facility supports partner countries with targeted interventions to implement investment climate reforms and related measures that enable private sector development and sustainable investment, especially in the context of GG projects.

Complementing the financing aspects of GG projects, the Facility focuses on improving the business environment and investment climate with public and private stakeholders at local, national, regional, and international levels engaged in trade, regional integration, private sector development, and investment climate reforms. It supports reforms, helping to reduce cross-border trade costs, attract investments, promote inclusive local development, developing and strengthening international value chains as well as improve long-term financing through stronger and more pro-active local financial systems. Ultimate goal is to enhance overall investment so that local economic development and job development take place.

Special emphasis is placed on economically empowering women to ensure inclusive growth. Thereby, the Facility delivers demand-driven, reform-oriented technical assistance in cooperation with EU Delegations and local stakeholders. Its targeted approach enables engagement with multiple actors around specific GG projects, increasing the effectiveness of reform efforts.

The Facility complements other EU initiatives in economic governance and regional integration.