How to obtain the Garantie ÉGALITÉ Femmes to finance your business?

Summary

The Garantie ÉGALITÉ Femmes makes it easier to obtain bank credit to finance the creation or takeover of a business. It is not a grant paid directly to the founder: it guarantees part of the bank loan, subject to the criteria and review of the application. The ministry in charge of equality is linked to the public policy on women's entrepreneurship, while the scheme is implemented by France Active. Current terms must be confirmed with the relevant local network.

What is the Garantie ÉGALITÉ Femmes for?

The guarantee aims to make it easier for women entrepreneurs to access bank credit to create or take over a business. It reduces the share of risk borne by the bank on the loan concerned, but does not replace the bank's own analysis or the financing plan. It may help limit the need for a personal guarantee, depending on the terms of the scheme and the loan. The ministry highlights, in its resources on women's entrepreneurship, the importance of access to financing and identifies the Garantie ÉGALITÉ Femmes as a tool run by France Active.

Who runs the scheme?

The scheme is implemented by the France Active network. The ministry in charge of equality is involved in public policy and national initiatives promoting women's entrepreneurship. The application must be directed to the relevant local France Active association, which can check eligibility and the current procedure, in coordination with the bank being approached.

Who can be eligible?

The government's presentation also places the scheme in the context of credit access for women who are far from employment or in precarious situations. These elements define the target audience, but do not replace France Active's current operational criteria: these must be checked locally before concluding on eligibility.

What amount can be guaranteed?

The Capital OS reference database indicates a maximum guarantee quota of 80% of the bank loan, with a guaranteed amount capped at €50,000. It also mentions a guarantee cost equal to 2.5% of the guaranteed amount. These parameters appear in the reference sheet, but the Bpifrance-Création source cited by the reference database is old. The caps, the cost, the maximum duration and the contractual conditions must therefore be confirmed by France Active before using them in a simulation or a decision.

What expenses can the bank loan finance?

The reference sheet indicates that the guaranteed loan can finance investments and/or working capital needs. The guarantee is attached to a bank loan and not to a list of expenses reimbursed as with a grant. The financing plan must specify the investments, the cash flow needs and the repayment capacity. The expenses actually accepted fall under the bank's agreement and the scheme's rules.

How does the guarantee work?

The project founder builds her financing plan and applies for credit from a bank. At the same time, she contacts France Active to have the possibility of using the Garantie ÉGALITÉ Femmes examined. If the application is accepted, part of the loan is covered by the guarantee according to the defined terms. The bank retains its role of assessing risk and decides whether to grant the loan. A guarantee therefore does not mean the loan is automatically granted.

How to prepare the application?

Prepare a presentation of the project, a market study, a business plan, an activity and cash flow forecast, the amount of credit requested, the funds contributed and the supporting documents for your situation. Depending on the nature of the transaction, add the documents related to the takeover or the planned investments. Contact the France Active association in your area before finalizing the bank arrangement: it can specify the required documents, the eligibility criteria and the order of the steps.

Does the guarantee replace a personal guarantee?

The reference sheet specifies that the scheme allows for the exclusion of personal guarantees, while noting that the bank may take collateral on the financed assets. The exact scope of this protection depends on the terms of the guarantee and the loan agreement. Ask for written confirmation from the bank and France Active before signing.

Why is this sheet associated with the ministry?

The ministry in charge of equality runs public policies to encourage women's entrepreneurship and women's access to financing. Government sources cite the Garantie ÉGALITÉ Femmes among the specific schemes, but identify France Active as its implementation network.

Points to watch before submitting an application

The guarantee is not a grant and does not guarantee that the loan will be approved. Conditions may change: the Bpifrance-Création page referenced by the catalog dates from 2018, while the government resources provide the general framework. Check the cap, the cost, the duration, the eligible audiences and the guarantee terms with France Active and the bank. Do not base a financing plan solely on the reference database's historical parameters.

Is the Garantie ÉGALITÉ Femmes a grant?

No. It guarantees part of a bank loan; the loan must be repaid according to the contract.

What is the guarantee cap?

The Capital OS reference database indicates up to 80% of the loan, with a guaranteed amount capped at €50,000. These parameters must be confirmed with France Active, as the detailed source referenced is old.

Who should I contact?

Contact the France Active association in your area and your bank. The ministry sets the public policy framework but is not necessarily the operational contact for processing your application.

Does the guarantee always exempt you from a personal guarantee?

The sheet indicates that excluding a personal guarantee is possible, but collateral may be taken on the financed assets. Have the conditions applicable to your loan clarified.

Which projects are concerned?

The scheme is particularly aimed at business creation or takeover by women, especially those seeking employment or in precarious situations. France Active must confirm the detailed criteria in force.

Official sources

• Women's entrepreneurship and the Garantie ÉGALITÉ Femmes — Ministry in charge of equality
• Garantie ÉGALITÉ Femmes (formerly FGIF) — Bpifrance Création
• France Active — network and support — France Active
• Framework agreement for women's entrepreneurship 2026-2028 — Ministry in charge of equality / Bpifrance