Leaving no one behind? LGBTIQ+ inclusion in EIB policies, safeguards and investments

Briefing    |    21 October 2026

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has established a range of policy and safeguarding frameworks to promote gender equality, non-discrimination, and social inclusion across its operations. However, despite these commitments, the EIB’s current policy architecture does not coherently promote and protect the rights of LGBTIQ+ people throughout the project cycle.  

This briefing outlines the challenges faced by the EIB in fully implementing its inclusion framework in restrictive contexts such as Uzbekistan, Hungary and Georgia when financing projects in these countries. The publication makes several recommendations to the EIB to strengthen protections for LGBTIQ+ people in countries where legal and social barriers hinder equal participation in development.