STEP 1A

The introduction and adoption of the Code at the national level requires the leadership of one to three well-respected leaders in the country’s financial sector. These are leaders from key public, private, and civil society institutions, such as regulators, industry associations, and leading FSPs. These National Champions bring their own passion for women’s financial inclusion to the job and help tailor the Code’s framework to domestic realities, set the vision for the Code in the national context, convene key stakeholders, ensure the effort is sufficiently resourced and drive action. The Code’s pitchbook provides an overview of the Code, including the role of the National Champions.

What is the role of Champions?

  • Develop a vision for how the Code’s national program will function in the country
  • Convene a national public-private sector coalition to implement the Code
  • Ensure alignment with related national initiatives
  • Identify and help establish incentives and support for joining the Code
  • Ensure resources are available to implement the Code
  • Sign on to the Code and advocate for its adoption by FSPs, other stakeholders
  • Contribute to the Code’s learnings
  • Represent the country’s work on the Code at global and national events

National Champion Attributes

Country Champions are leaders in organizations that are important to the financial sector in the country. They demonstrate willingness and ability to use their personal and professional capital to draw in others to get the Code off the ground. Champions can come from the public or private sector. Having two or three Champions from different parts of the ecosystem is a particularly effective model if personalities and interests align to foster collaboration.

Champions may be men or women, but the Code provides a vehicle for elevating new faces of leadership and celebrating women’s leadership.  National Champions, especially women, recognize that the Code provides opportunities for visibility and leadership nationally and globally, as well as peer learning and network-building with other leaders from around the world.