Bridging Gaps selected as official Sevilla Platform for Action (SPA) initiative

The refugee- and women-led nonprofit Bridging Gaps has been officially accepted as a Sevilla Platform for Action (SPA) initiative, a global commitment under the United Nations-led Financing for Development (FFD4) process, taking place in Seville, Spain from 30 June to 3 July 2025.

FFD4 will bring together world leaders, UN agencies, financial institutions, and civil society to unlock solutions for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the SDGs off track, the SPA registry showcases concrete, high-impact initiatives shaping new models for financing development and inclusion.

Bridging Gaps was selected for its pay-it-forward microloan model that enables refugees and underserved entrepreneurs to access interest-free capital and mentorship - creating a self-sustaining cycle of empowerment. The organization also integrates digital tools and capacity-building innovations, with a tech-enabled training platform currently in development.

Janina Peter - Founder & CEO of Bridging Gaps

“This is a major recognition of refugee-led innovation,” says founder Janina Peter, who will represent the initiative at the FFD4 Conference in Sevilla. “We are proud to bring our grassroots, community-driven model to the global stage - and excited to connect with partners who share our vision of inclusive finance.”

The initiative has received strong support from across sectors and regions, with official endorsements from entities such as UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the UN-established University for Peace, alongside refugee-led and community-based organizations including Afri-Youth Network (Uganda), Associação dos Migrantes Indígenas Roraimö (Brazil), and Remember Youth for Change (DRC). Other endorsing partners span five continents and include YY Ventures (Bangladesh), The Global Good Fund (USA), and the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, among others.

The announcement comes as the UN Secretary-General António Guterres calls on countries to "rescue the SDGs and fight for the better future every person deserves." The SPA registry, launching 30 June 2025, aims to do just that - by elevating practical, high-impact initiatives like Bridging Gaps.

About Bridging Gaps

Bridging Gaps is a German-Ugandan nonprofit platform empowering displaced and underserved communities through interest-free “pay-it-forward” microloans, entrepreneurship training, and long-term mentorship. Active in Uganda, the DRC, Brazil and beyond, Bridging Gaps emphasizes refugee and women’s empowerment, youth leadership, and local ownership. Learn more: bridging-gaps.org

📧 Media contact: lesley@bridging-gaps.org