EMW 2019 - Leveraging data to promote climate resilient agriculture

European Microfinance Week 2019

This session illustrated an innovative approach proposed by YAPU Solutions and NpM to agriculture finance for smallholders that includes climate change resiliency as key dimension in risks and process management, products design and adaptation. Technology, tailored services and (geo)data will play the role of key ingredients. As example of actual implementation of such approaches the panel presented the multiplier role played by Ecuadorian network RFD in supporting the IDB EcoMicro project "Agricultural Finance and Smart Data for Climate Change Adaptation"; the second phase of "Microfinance for Eco-system based Adaptation", implemented in 9 countries in the LAC and SSA regions. NpM's programme "Geodata for Inclusive Finance and Food (G4IFF)", looked at the use of geo and agri-based data by FSPs to improve access to finance to smallholders. Apollo Agriculture, one of the winners of NpM's Innovators Challenge, elaborated on their solution which consists of using agronomic machine learning, remote sensing and mobile phones to deliver credit, farm inputs, and advice to farmers.

EMW 2019 - Investing in climate change resilience

European Microfinance Week 2019

This session tackled the role of financial inclusion investors in increasing vulnerable populations' resilience. With a focus on Central and Latin America, where climate change is increasing instability in several countries but which can lead some investors to respond by reducing their exposure and limiting risk, representatives from leading sector investors discussed how their investments aim to strengthen the resilience of the end client, what the main challenges and opportunities are for investors in this field, and how they envisage the investors' role in contributing to the sector's efforts to tackle climate change.

EMW 2019 - Innovative business models in energy

European Microfinance Week 2019

This session examined some of the latest innovations in energy finance via a 'World Café' format, in which, after short initial presentations, the three speakers rotate every 15 minutes around the audience – a format that allows extensive audience interactivity and participation.
Moderated by consultant and former Inclusive Finance Director at MFR Chiara Pescatori, this session presented three fascinating initiatives in this dynamic field: A CGAP partnership with MFI Baobab Senegal and energy PayGo company Baobab Plus; a presentation of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition's work on innovative models in financing clean cookstoves; and the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association's new consumer protection code and self-assessment tool for solar PayGo companies.

EMW 2019 - From the ivory tower to the field: Academic research for practitioners

European Microfinance Week 2019

This was the first of what e-MFP hopes to be a series of EMW sessions to feature relevant research findings for practitioners. Leading financial inclusion researchers gave individual lectures, followed by Q&A with the audience. A chance to learn more about the latest developments in the academia that are relevant for your work!

EMW 2019 - From social intent to social impact: Measuring & rewarding outcomes

European Microfinance Week 2019

This session discussed practical and innovative approaches taken by financial service providers and asset managers to measure and incentivize positive social outcomes. It was divided into three parts and explored the business case for social outcomes measurement, how you do it, and what the challenges and next steps are for these institutions. MFO Crystal described implementation of their outcomes framework, shared insights they have gained, and how they used outcomes data to inform product design and important management decisions. Incofin discussed the asset manager perspective and the important role they play through its funds and TA facilities to push the frontiers of social outcomes measurement by supporting its investees to use rigorous, data-driven methods to track their impact. Grassroots Capital shared their efforts underway to incentivize impact through performance-linked notes. CERISE described the practical assessment tool they developed, the MetODD-SDG, that is available for providers and investors to measure their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals through a list of micro-level indicators for SDG Targets.

EMW 2019 - Financing cooperatives – the good, the bad and the ugly!

European Microfinance Week 2019

Financial cooperatives play an important role in increasing financial inclusion, especially with regards to the very poor. However, their set up, governance structure, and member-owned equity often poses challenges for investors. This session shared the challenges and lessons learned from supporting cooperatives on all continents.

EMW 2019 - Financing access to education, how to make it work

European Microfinance Week 2019

This session was a follow up of the European Microfinance Award 2016 “Microfinance and Access to Education”. With the participation of the Kashf Foundation, EMA 2016 winner, and OBUL, EMA 2016 finalist, panellists reflected on how the financial inclusion sector’s support of access to quality of education has evolved over the past years and shared with the audience new innovative practices, tools and examples from different markets.

EMW 2019 - Financial Inclusion in Bangladesh

European Microfinance Week 2019

This session was part of EMW's country-specific annual series. In 2019, its aim was to present the conference audience with recent developments in the Bangladeshi financial inclusion sector. Representatives from key sector players presented how over the years clients' needs and behaviour have evolved and the sector has embarked on an intense digitalisation path, with the experience of BRAC, one of the oldest MFIs in the country, as an example of how MFIs have evolved and adapted to those changes. The panel also included a presentation on the current investment landscape and opportunities.

EMW 2019 - Climate disaster relief for sustainable resilience

European Microfinance Week 2019

Poor communities in disaster-prone areas are hit hard by disasters. Resilience and preparedness are the first lines of defence. The session analysed two experiences. After the Haiyan typhoon in the Philippines, Vision Fund International and Global Parametrics (GP) gathered 3 years of evidence of recovery lending finding an approach (capital & credit) to support post disaster recovery lending using climate index. Both organizations launched ARDIS (African Asian and Americas Resilience in Disaster Insurance Scheme) in 2018. GP, Oxfam Novib and PLAN focus on preparedness in the B-Ready Program combining two innovations: digital weather forecasting and risk modelling technologies for early warning systems; financial technologies for pre-disaster cash transfer. Based on smart data, early warning systems local humanitarian actors can immediately and safely deliver cash prior to a disaster.

EMW 2019 - Challenges of climate change & opportunities for financial inclusion

European Microfinance Week 2019

This was the first of five sessions that delved into the topic of the European Microfinance Award 2019 "Strengthening resilience to Climate Change". Its aim was to set the scene and provide a broad overview of the landscape of climate change, its impact, its challenges, and the responses of the financial inclusion sector to tackle them. This session was a must to broaden understanding on how our sector plays a key role in addressing climate change and strengthens clients' preparedness and readiness to the consequences of climate change. Sectoral experts and practitioners presented experiences of responses to resolve climate change challenges from the inclusive finance sector with some typical examples of what has worked and what has not.

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