Mar 14, 2024
The €100,000 European Microfinance Award 2024 is now open and inviting applications from organisations active in financial inclusion that help forcibly displaced people build resilience, restore livelihoods, and live with dignity in host communities.
Mar 11, 2024
e-MFP and the e-MFP Green Inclusive and Climate Smart Finance Action Group (GICSF-AG) are thrilled to launch this new report in English, French and Spanish which features a selection of exemplary green inclusive finance practices identified among the green profiles and case studies included in the Green Map.
Mar 08, 2024
Join e-MFP member MFC at their annual conference in Cracow, Poland - early bird registration now available
Mar 07, 2024
This International Women's Day, e-MFP commits to supporting its members in addressing gender barriers and ensuring equity and opportunity for women everywhere.
Feb 13, 2024
In February 2024, e-MFP and Cerise+SPTF released a joint paper shaking up the world of impact investing.
Feb 08, 2024
The e-MFP WASH Action Group is excited to continue its Climate Change and WASH webinar series, this time featuring a post-COP28 ‘stocktake’ on the Conference’s implications for WASH financing. Join us on 20 February, 2024 - 4 pm CET!
Jan 16, 2024
Delve into the recordings of the hybrid sessions covering key topics such as climate and green finance, food security & nutrition, women's financial inclusion, WASH, refugee finance, client protection and more…
Jan 10, 2024
European Microfinance Week 2024 is happening in-person in Luxembourg, 13 - 15 November 2024. Mark your calendar now and join us for the key event of the financial inclusion sector gathering 500+ top professionals from all around the world. Further information will be available in the coming months.
Dec 18, 2023
To foster its work towards reducing the information gap in the sector, the AG will develop during 2023 and 2024 a webinar series on Climate and WASH open to all interested in the topic and Investors Sharing Sessions, a series of closed sessions thought for investors aiming to promote exchange experiences and learning from the projects being implemented by the AG members and other stakeholders.
Dec 13, 2023
e-MFP has had a busy and productive 2023 and this is especially true for publications. A big thank you to all those involved and in case some passed you by, see the complete list:
Dec 12, 2023
2023 was certainly the busiest and most productive year in e-MFP’s history. Whether in terms of sector engagement, events, publications, member engagement, communications, the European Microfinance Award and Week or Action Groups - the platform continues to grow in reach and breadth of its work. This annual activity report provides a summary to our members and the financial inclusion community of what we have been doing this year.
Dec 07, 2023
e-MFP member Cerise+SPTF offers e-learning courses on Client Protection and Social and Environmental Performance Management. The next courses in English will start on January 15, 2024. Choose your pathway and register now!
Dec 06, 2023
At a COP28 side event on 12th December taking place at the BENELUX-EIB Pavillion, e-MFP together with our members ADA, the European Investment Bank and the Microinsurance Network, will bring the experience of an ecosystem of organisations based in Luxembourg - an internationally recognised inclusive finance hub - on 'The Financial Inclusion Sector Social and Green Agenda: Partnering for a Sustainable Future'.
Dec 05, 2023
Save the Date & Call for Abstracts for the 8th ERCM, 24-26 June in Bergamo, Italy
Nov 29, 2023
Relive the European Microfinance Week ( #EMW2023 ) plenary sessions on 'The past, present, and future of green inclusive finance: ten years of the e-MFP GICSF Action Group'; 'Inclusive finance for food security & nutrition'; 'Financial inclusion of forcibly displaced persons (FDPs): building bridges' and 'From Brussels to the world: the downstream impact of EU fund regulations' in the videos:
Nov 29, 2023
Thanks to the record 659 attendees from 61 countries who participated in over 40 sessions at hybrid EMW2023, 231 of the attendees joined us online.
Nov 24, 2023
Delighted to share e-MFP's expertise on inclusive finance together with our members InFiNe.lu and LMDF in the European Financial Planning Association (EFPA) event happening on 28th November
Nov 23, 2023
e-MFP is looking for an Advisor to support the European Microfinance Award 2024, on Financial Inclusion for Refugees & Forcibly Displaced People (FDP).
Nov 22, 2023
EMW2023 concluded Friday at Luxembourg’s Abbaye de Neumunster with a record 659 attendees at hybrid EMW2023; 428 in person and 231 online, from 61 countries.
Nov 21, 2023
Many thanks to our media partners and the Luxembourg press for the excellent coverage of EMW 2023
Nov 18, 2023
Yikri has won the €100 000 European Microfinance Award 2023 from the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of Luxembourg. The other two finalists were Kenya's Fortune Credit Ltd and Guatemala's Fundación Génesis Empresarial.
Nov 16, 2023
EMW2023 kicks off with a record number of attendees - over 650 - in-person and online with over 40 sessions
Nov 14, 2023
e-MFP is delighted to publish the Financial Inclusion Compass 2023­ – the sixth annual survey of financial inclusion stakeholders to better understand perspectives on current trends, future priority areas, challenges, opportunities and beyond.
Nov 14, 2023
The European Microfinance Platform is delighted to announce the publication of 'Inclusive Finance for Food Security & Nutrition', the latest in its annual series of publications that introduces the subject landscape, explores the role of the inclusive finance sector and presents case studies and best practice from that year’s European Microfinance Award.
Nov 07, 2023
The situation in the microfinance sector in Cambodia is highly complex, and there has been a lot of recent news and discussions. e-MFP has been working closely with our members and partners on this topic (including in preparation for EMW2023), and this is a short statement of e-MFP's response to the evolving situation.
Oct 26, 2023
Join e-MFP members Symbiotics and the Finance and Development (FinDev) research group of the University of Bergamo during a webinar on 6 November which will explore current best practice in Technical Assistance.
Oct 16, 2023
This #WorldFoodDay e-MFP is proud to share what our members are doing in the area of this year's European Microfinance Award theme 'Inclusive Finance for Food Security & Nutrition'
Oct 01, 2023
NFP World Food Day 2023, will take place on Thursday October 12th, in Amersfoort, the Netherlands and will bring together diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise, and facilitate discussions on innovative approaches, partnerships, and business models that promote sustainable agriculture, responsible sourcing, and equitable value chains.
Sep 28, 2023
e-MFP and the e-MFP Green Inclusive and Climate Smart Finance Action Group are delighted to launch The Green Map - Addressing Climate Change via An Open Resource for Green Inclusive Finance Projects & Practices
Sep 25, 2023
Fortune Credit Ltd, Fundación Génesis Empresarial, & Yikri are announced as finalists who will go on to compete for the €100,000 prize.
Sep 23, 2023
Join us in-person from 15th – 17th November for over 40 sessions on the critical issues and innovations in the financial inclusion sector! And for those who can’t travel we also offer a virtual hybrid experience with many sessions available online.
Sep 22, 2023
e-MP members MFC and Cerise+SPTF launch a new project (August 2023 - July 2025) co-funded by the European Union through the Transform Together Fund. MFC and Cerise+SPTF will issue up to €50,000 grants for social finance actors in Europe
Sep 22, 2023
The e-MFP WASH Action Group is delighted to kick off a series of webinars on Climate and WASH. In this first webinar, taking place on 5th October
Sep 18, 2023
Join e-MFP’s livestream launch event of the ‘Green Map’, a project developed by the e-MFP Green Inclusive and Climate Smart Finance Action Group (GICSF-AG) and supported by the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The event will take place on 28 September (4pm CEST), in-person and online.
Sep 13, 2023
e-MFP Rabo Foundation is co-hosting an international event on 11 & 12 October in Amsterdam, SEWF, Social Enterprise World Forum with people attending from all over the world.
Sep 07, 2023
e-MFP is excited to present the analysis of Green Inclusive Finance trends over the past decade in our publication "State of the Art of Green Inclusive Finance 2011-2019." This report - which is the result of a great collaborative effort of the e-MFP Green Inclusive and Climate Smart Finance Action Group (GICSF-AG), offers a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of green inclusive finance. Leveraging the framework of the Green Index, and built on data from over 1,130 environmental assessments conducted across 866 diverse Financial Service Providers (FSPs), this publication establishes a benchmark for ongoing data collection and sector analysis.
Aug 25, 2023
e-MFP is seeking a dedicated and proactive Junior Consultant to organise and coordinate a series of webinars in collaboration with the e-MFP WASH Action Group. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the end-to-end process of planning, scheduling, executing, and documenting a series of webinars designed to engage the financial inclusion actors working on and interested in WASH. Deadline to apply is 10th September 2023.
Jun 13, 2023
Financial Inclusion Compass survey 2023 - share your views on the future of the sector. This sixth edition of the e-MFP Compass survey builds on previous surveys with iterative improvements to make it more relevant to the feedback we hear from our members and partners. So as well as allowing year-to-year comparison of respondents’ attitudes to a particular topic or risk, the 2023 Compass adds new topic areas and priority areas to evaluate, from climate change adaptation/mitigation, to institutional change management, to artificial intelligence, food security and nutrition – and beyond. We hope you’ll take the time to participate. The survey is open until 7th August.
Jun 01, 2023
e-MFP is pleased to share with you the Second Research Digest, "Building a Bridge Between Financial Education and Financial Health", a publication of the ‘From Research to Practice and Back Again’ Action Group. This publication focuses on understanding the relationship between financial education (FE) and financial health (FH), a still under-researched topic which is gaining traction among practitioners and researchers having been identified as one of the top research needs in a survey among financial inclusion practitioners conducted by the AG.
May 18, 2023
Scale for Resilience, led by e-MFP member Yapu Solutions, is holding a free 2-day virtual conference on Inclusive Resilience Finance on 25 - 26 May. The conference focuses on bringing together actors from the Inclusive Finance space highlighting how to support resilience of most vulnerable populations.
Apr 21, 2023
Since the 1990s, BNP Paribas has been committed to facilitating financial inclusion, in particular by supporting 21 microfinance institutions. Learn more about their work in the second Microfinance Social Performance Report, expanded for this new edition with an environmental component.
Apr 18, 2023
Since 2009, the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) and the Centre for European Research in Microfinance (CERMi), in partnership with a broad group of European Universities, organise the conference every two years with the objective of encouraging academics and other inclusive finance sector stakeholders to meet and engage in relevant debates and collaborations, and to ensure that the latest research is disseminated to the whole microfinance and inclusive finance community. e-MFP is launching this call for interest to find a host and organiser for the 8th edition of the conference in 2024.
Apr 17, 2023
Round 1 of the European Microfinance Award 2023 (EMA2023) on ‘‘Inclusive Finance for Food Security & Nutrition’ has closed, and the EMA evaluation team is delighted to announce that 41 organisations from 25 countries have submitted applications – a diverse field representing all the major inclusive finance regions of the world.
Mar 29, 2023
e-MFP held Application Guidance session in English /en español/en français on the 28 & 29 March during which the team went over the Award process and replied to questions. Watch the recordings in EN/SP/FR
Mar 27, 2023
Catch up on the latest #financialinclusion news from e-MFP in our newsletter out now!
Mar 21, 2023
The Green Map is a project of the e-MFP Green Inclusive & Climate Smart Finance Action Group (GICSF-AG) developed with the support of the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Started in December 2022, the project aims to map green inclusive finance projects and inclusive finance actors' best practices in both adaptation to and mitigation of climate change and more broadly coping with environmental degradation and promoting sustainable environmental practices.
Mar 17, 2023
The Water Access Acceleration Fund (W2AF), an impact-first blended equity fund for water, has been launched. By investing in water companies, W2AF expects to provide 20 billion liters of safe drinking water to 30 million people, especially in Africa and Asia. W2AF’s partners include e-MFP members Incofin, Aqua For All and BNP Paribas.
Mar 15, 2023
Finanzas Inclusivas para la Seguridad Alimentaria y la Nutrición - ¡Abierto el plazo para presentarse al premio de 100.000 €! La Finance Inclusive pour la Sécurité Alimentaire et la Nutrition - Prix de 100 000 € : candidatures ouvertes !
Mar 09, 2023
We are pleased to announce that the 2022 MIMOSA scores are now available! Based on the Findex survey published last year and drawing on the 20+ country reports published by MIMOSA to-date, this is a one-of-a-kind resource for understanding the level of credit penetration and overindebtedness risk in a large number of markets.
Mar 08, 2023
The impetus for innovation in how the financial inclusion sector can help women overcoming challenges, social norms and avail themselves of new opportunities, has never been stronger. This International Women's Day, e-MFP commits to supporting its members in addressing gender barriers and ensuring equity and opportunity for women everywhere.
Mar 07, 2023
e-MFP and Aqua for All are pleased to share the result of an e-MFP WASH Action Group project aiming to identify a set of priority indicators to be used by impact investors when evaluating their potential and existing WASH investments.
Mar 03, 2023
e-MFP is proud to be a partner of and panellist at the EFPA Finance Forum 2023 (#EFF23) on ‘Green Ocean and REgenerative FInance’ taking place in Luxembourg, 23 March. #EFF23 is organised by the European Financial Planning Association and will convene public and private actors to discuss how the local and international communities can foster a collective shift towards social, sustainable finance, and how the circular economy will change the post-pandemic asset management and insurance industries.
Mar 02, 2023
e-MFP se complace en ser aliada estratégica de la Conferencia Centroamericana y del Caribe de Microfinanzas, con el tema “Resiliencia y reactivación de las finanzas inclusivas ante la nueva realidad“ - El Reencuentro, organizada por Redcamif y REDIMIF del 20 al 22 de marzo.
Feb 24, 2023
e-MFP member Triple Jump is proud to announce the launch of the Triple Jump Financial Inclusion Resilience Fund (FIRF). The fund will focus on providing subordinated debt to financial intermediaries serving Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and low-income borrowers in emerging markets. FIRF aims to serve as a catalyst to improve the solvency position of these financial intermediaries, allowing them to continue and increase their lending activity to MSMEs and low-income borrowers.
Feb 23, 2023
La Plataforma Europea de Microfinanzas (e-MFP) se complace en anunciar la publicación de ‘La Inclusión Financiera al Servicio de la Mujer’, la última edición de una serie anual de publicaciones que condensa los temas y reúne los casos destacados, así como los factores de éxito del Premio Europeo de Microfinanzas (EMA). La Plateforme Européenne de la Microfinance (e-MFP) a le plaisir d'annoncer la publication de « L’inclusion financière au service des femmes », la dernière édition de la série annuelle qui condense les thèmes et rassemble les cas exceptionnels et les facteurs de succès du Prix Européen de la Microfinance (EMA).
Feb 21, 2023
This edition, organised in collaboration with CERMi and supported by the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP), was focused on microfinance research priorities that are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to shape and create the post-pandemic microfinance research agenda.
Feb 20, 2023
European Microfinance Week 2023 is happening in-person in Luxembourg, 15 - 17 November 2023. Mark your calendar now and join us for the key event of the financial inclusion sector gathering 500+ top professionals from all around the world. Further information will be available in the coming months.
Feb 15, 2023
This joint e-MFP - FIF UK event will discuss the European Microfinance Award 2022 on Financial Inclusion that Works for Women, case studies, factors for success and mainstreaming gender in financial inclusion. This event will be in London and virtual, at 18:30-20:00 GMT
Jan 20, 2023
In 2022 the FinDev Gateway hosted over 400 publications and we're thrilled that our publication 'The Financial Inclusion Compass' was one of the top ten publications downloaded from the site that year.
Jan 17, 2023
Delve into the recordings of the hybrid sessions covering key topics such as climate and green finance, social performance, digital financial inclusion, women's financial inclusion, WASH, refugee finance, client protection and more…
Jan 13, 2023
Lendwithcare, a division of CARE International UK, is looking for a Microfinance Advisor. Deadline to apply is 30th January 2023
Jan 05, 2023
Catch up on the latest #financialinclusion news from e-MFP in our newsletter out now!
Dec 13, 2022
e-MFP has had a busy and productive 2022 and this is especially true for publications. A big thank you to all those involved and in case some passed you by, see the complete list:
Dec 12, 2022
Following the e-MFP General Meeting of Members and a Board meeting held on the 1st December 2022, we are delighted to announce that e-MFP has a new Chairwoman - Lucia Spaggiari (MFR). We would like to warmly thank our out-going Chairwoman Laura Hemrika for her support and commitment over the past five years in this role.
Dec 07, 2022
e-MFP is a member-led platform, and we always want to hear what our members are doing in different fields, to increase linkages and knowledge sharing both across the platform and with other stakeholders. Over 2022, e-MFP reached out with some questions to its members to see who was doing what in the area of this year's European Microfinance Award theme – Financial Inclusion that Works for Women. Thanks to our members for sharing their experience!
Dec 06, 2022
The European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) is delighted to announce the publication of Financial Inclusion that Works for Women, the latest in its annual series of publications that condense the themes and pull together the outstanding cases and factors for success from that year’s European Microfinance Award.
Dec 05, 2022
Since its first launch, it has become the main framework for assessing the environmental performance of financial services providers (FSP) in green inclusive finance and defining action plans to improve it. This publication documents the update process and presents the new Green Index 3.0, its standards and indicators as well as its scoring system and how it can be digitally accessed and used.
Dec 02, 2022
2022 has been a year of huge activity at e-MFP. Q1 marked two years since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, and over the course of the year there has been a gradual restoration of pre-2020 life - some in-person events, some return to offices - which is true for e-MFP and its members alike. We hope you find this report interesting, and we'd like to thank all the e-MFP members, the e-MFP Board, our sponsors, funders and the dedicated e-MFP Secretariat, without all of whom none of this would be possible.
Dec 01, 2022
Thanks to the record 570 attendees who joined us for hybrid EMW 2022 from 48 countries, 257 of them online!
Dec 01, 2022
Relive the European Microfinance Week ( #EMW2022 ) plenary sessions on 'Building a Responsible Digital Finance Ecosystem'; 'Financial Inclusion that Works for Women' and 'Understanding Financial Education and Financial Health' and 'Big Questions for Today and Tomorrow' in the videos:
Nov 30, 2022
Many thanks to our media partners and the Luxembourg press for the excellent coverage of EMW 2022
Nov 24, 2022
The European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) is looking for an Advisor to support the European Microfinance Award 2023 which will focus on Food Security & Nutrition, and its aim is to highlight how financial inclusion organisations can innovate in ensuring that low-income people have physical, social and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their needs - particularly in the context of increasing global uncertainty and risks. Deadline to apply is 7th December 2022, 11:59pm CET.
Nov 22, 2022
European Microfinance Week (#EMW2022), concluded Friday at Luxembourg’s Abbaye de Neümunster with a plenary entitled ‘Big Questions for Today – and Tomorrow’, with CGAP’s CEO Sophie Sirtaine, Marc Labie of UMons, Yannick Milev from Chamroeun in Cambodia, and moderated by Olga Biosca of Glasgow Caledonian University. They were invited to answer three questions – on recent past sector successes, past disappointments, and greatest future opportunities.
Nov 17, 2022
EMW2022 opened Wednesday with a welcome from e-MFP’s Executive Secretary, Christoph Pausch, who, announcing there were approximately 500 registrations to EMW, said how pleased attendees are to be able to meet once again in person and that despite huge challenges, the sector has shown a remarkable resilience and capacity to adapt and innovate, many examples of which are reflected in the conference programme.
Oct 27, 2022
A webinar on 2nd November organised by the e-MFP “From Research to Practice and Back Again” Action Group (AG)
Oct 22, 2022
EMW2022 is back in-person in Luxembourg 16-18 November - join us for over 30 sessions on the critical issues and innovations in the financial inclusion sector.
Oct 18, 2022
Webinar 25 Oct, 4pm CEST (ENGLISH) & 26 Oct, 5pm CEST (ESPAÑOL): How to Promote Gender Equality among Management and Staff in MFIs / Cómo promover la igualdad de género en la gerencia y el personal de las IMFs
Oct 05, 2022
e-MFP is delighted to publish the 'Financial Inclusion Compass 2022'­ – the fifth in a series to collate sector opinions on emerging short, medium, and long-term trends in the financial inclusion sector. The survey on which this paper is based was open in May and June 2022, giving practitioners, funders, researchers, and support service providers the opportunity to evaluate and describe the importance of various current Trends, rate and give opinions on Future Priority Areas, and provide open-comment qualitative input on the expected (and hoped-for) direction of financial inclusion progress.
Sep 27, 2022
The e-MFP Green Inclusive and Climate Smart Finance Action Group (GICSF-AG) is pleased to invite all Financial Services Providers (FSP) to participate in an exclusive free training on the Green Index 3.0.
Sep 26, 2022
Bancamía from Colombia; Banco FIE from Bolivia; and Kashf Foundation from Pakistan are announced as finalists who will go on to compete for the €100,000 prize.
Sep 22, 2022
The Financial Inclusion Compass 2022 is the fifth edition in this series, and we were delighted to launch it at a webinar on 5 October, led by author e-MFP’s Sam Mendelson, and joined by Stuart Rutherford and Apricot Wilson as respondent discussants.
Sep 21, 2022
Globally, 2.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, while 4.5 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation. The urgent investment required in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector, especially in developing countries, to meet the 2030 goals of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 – ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, will not be achieved without attracting more private finance to the sector
Sep 12, 2022
The second webinar in this series, hosted by the ILO's Social Finance Programme, takes place on 22 September (15:00 CEST) and focuses on supporting managers in their HRD role. During this session, three financial services providers in Bolivia, Lebanon and the Philippines will share their HR practices and lessons learned from successfully developing a strong in-house system of HR practices into their staff management processes.
Sep 08, 2022
Watch the recording of this webinar, organised by e-MFP in collaboration with the ILO’s Social Finance Programme, during which Isabelle Katthagen and Dr. Elisabeth Niendorf of the Academy of German Cooperatives shared their deep knowledge of the technical and leadership aspects of the HR function and two Financial Services Provider (FSP) representatives shared their HR practices and lessons learned from bringing the HR function into the strategic discussions of their institutions.
Sep 06, 2022
On September 13 and 20, in collaboration with the e-MFP Investors Action Group and SPTF, Cerise SDG Lab is organising two webinars with investors and financial institutions to discuss the way to harmonize and push for Outcomes Management.
Aug 23, 2022
The Heads of the e-MFP Green Inclusive and Climate-Smart Finance Action Group, Natalia Realpe Carrillo and Davide Forcella, are pleased to invite you to a webinar series next Thursday, September 1, at 4 pm CEST. Professor Olga Biosca at the Glasgow Caledonian University will share the results of a research project in Rwanda on how MFI clients manage climate change effects and what MFIs can do to support them. For researchers and practitioners, further research questions in green microfinance will be discussed.
Jul 27, 2022
WSBI's programme Scale2Save has released a new case study, the sixth of its State of the Savings and Retail Banking Sector in Africa research series, which focuses on examples of financial service providers using data to better understand & serve low-income people.
Jul 20, 2022
Summer Reading from e-MFP - Catch up with this selection on financial inclusion
Jul 15, 2022
e-MFP member Aqua for All has signed a two-year partnership agreement with Family Bank Ltd in Kenya. This first-of-its-kind partnership will establish an un-secured loan facility targeting community-based water service providers (CWPs). CWPs supply low-income households with safe drinking water through piping systems or water kiosks.
Jul 05, 2022
This year e-MFP member the Microinsurance Network is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Here we take a look at the past, present and future ambitions of the Network, and discover how it is enabling inclusive insurance for all.
Jul 05, 2022
Catch up on the latest #financialinclusion news from e-MFP in our newsletter out now!
Jul 04, 2022
The Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health, Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), was the proud host of the 7th European Research Conference on Microfinance which took place from 20th to 22nd June 2022 at GCU’s Glasgow campus, supported by e-MFP and CERMi. This first ERCM after the COVID-19 pandemic, focused on microfinance research priorities that are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Jun 30, 2022
The Microfinance Enhancement Facility (MEF) is launching a two-stage tender process to select 2 to 3 portfolio managers to implement, advance and manage MEF's new gender-smart investment strategy. Deadline for submitting Expression of Interest is Monday, 1st August 2022, noon CEST.
Jun 22, 2022
This webinar, presented by the heads of the GICSF-AG, will disclose the main findings of the analysis of the green audit database, focusing on the evolution of green inclusive finance performance, along its different standards, in the period 2011-2019 between diverse regions and FSP types.
Jun 22, 2022
During the 7th European Research Conference on Microfinance, the winners of the Best Graduate Paper Award, sponsored by the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) were announced - 1st place: Naome Otiti and 2nd place: Anaëlle Petr.
Jun 21, 2022
The 55th Midi de la microfinance et de l'inclusion financière brings together three e-MFP members ADA, InFiNe.lu and Microinsurance Network for a discussion on 'Sustainable insurance: a meeting of two worlds' in-person in Luxembourg on 6th July.
Jun 14, 2022
e- MFP members Aqua for All and Oikocredit International launched a two-year partnership to increase access to finance for water and sanitation enterprises and households in Africa and Asia.
Jun 08, 2022
Numerous e-MFP members have supported the 60 Decibels Microfinance Index report, the world’s first financial inclusion social performance report grounded in customer voice. This report shows the comparative social performance of 72 microfinance organizations, based exclusively on what was heard from 17,956 of their clients. Collectively, these MFIs are serving more than 25 million clients in 41 countries, more than 15% of all microfinance clients globally
May 19, 2022
One of the main challenges FSPs face in serving the low income customer is understanding their needs. How do they translate external information into meaningful insights to support their product design and rollout, distribution strategies and more. Learn more in the webinar recording.
May 11, 2022
Financial Inclusion Compass survey 2022 - share your views on the future of the sector. This fifth edition of the e-MFP Compass survey builds on last year’s survey with new questions, trends and priority areas, based on research and feedback from e-MFP’s amazing network. So, there are new trends and priority areas to evaluate - on financial health, strategic responses to climate change, impact evaluation and new financial technologies such as machine learning, cryptocurrencies and blockchain, among others. We hope you’ll take the time to participate. The survey is open from 11th May and will close at 23:59 CEST on 7th June.
May 06, 2022
e-MFP member LuxFLAG, in partnership with FactSet and Greenomy, will discuss during the webinar ESG tools to implement SFDR and the EU Taxonomy as well as current trends and events that have spurred the development of ESG solutions and how those solutions can help.
May 03, 2022
We're delighted to announce that on 2nd May, the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) signed a new agreement with the Luxembourg Government for the period 2022 – 2026, which guarantees the financial support required for implementing our new Strategic Plan. Since its foundation in 2006, e-MFP has grown a strong base of 130 members from across the microfinance and financial inclusion sector. Anchored by the support and commitment of the Luxembourgish government, e-MFP is recognised as a leading player in the Europe-based financial inclusion and microfinance space that provides valuable networking and thought leadership opportunities for members and the broader sector.
Apr 15, 2022
Join the e-MFP Green Inclusive and Climate-Smart Finance Action Group webinar in Spanish on 21 April.
Apr 14, 2022
A record 88 organisations from 47 countries applied to Round 1 of the European Microfinance Award 2022 on ‘Financial Inclusion that Works for Women’, this unprecedented response illustrates the enormous importance the sector places on this topic – and the diversity of initiatives underway. Thank you to all applicants!
Apr 07, 2022
Excited to see the impressive line-up of Keynote Speakers for the 7th European Research Conference on Microfinance, supported by European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) which will be held on 20th-22nd June, 2022 in person at the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health at Glasgow Caledonian University: Professor Muhammad Yunus; Professor Robert Lensink; Dr Caroline Shenaz Hossein; Professor Mario L. Small.
Apr 07, 2022
What if the most transparent and community minded leaders of informal savings groups were provided with a financial nudge to train more groups? The organizers of these groups, with over half a billion members, are the experts. Watch the recording of our webinar - the panelists from Ghana, Yemen, Nepal, Mexico, India, and Korea have a wealth of practical experience on how to achieve what we consider the revolutionary next step in financial inclusion.
Apr 06, 2022
e-MFP member the Nigerian Microfinance Platform (NMP) holds its annual symposium with this year's theme “Expanding the Frontiers of Financial Inclusion Through Innovation: The MicroFintech Tools”, on 28th April in Wuse Abuja, Nigeria.
Mar 23, 2022
Missed the Application Guidance sessions (EN/FR/SP) for the €100,000 European Microfinance Award 2022 ‘Financial Inclusion that Works for Women’? You can watch the recordings now.
Mar 21, 2022
Governance helps to set the culture and strategy of an organisation. Therefore, the understanding and buy-in of the board on client protection is vital to its effective implantation. This webinar hosted by SPTF-CERISE, will review the role of the board and senior management in ensuring that strong client protection practices are incorporated and sustained in a financial institution
Mar 17, 2022
Catch up on the latest #financialinclusion news from e-MFP in our newsletter out now!
Mar 15, 2022
Join us for European Microfinance Week during 16 - 18 November, further information will be available in the coming months.
Mar 14, 2022
The European Microfinance Award 2022 'Financial Inclusion that Works for Women' is now open to organisations working in financial inclusion that aim to understand and meet women's challenges and aspirations in order to go beyond traditional gender outreach strategies.
Mar 09, 2022
To support the organization of the European Microfinance Week, manage the European Microfinance Award, assist e-MFP’s research projects, and contribute to the objectives of the e-MFP.
Mar 07, 2022
In the run up to International Women's Day 2022, #IWD22, delve into the #EMW2021 discussions and recordings on women’s financial inclusion
Mar 03, 2022
e-MFP is pleased to launch the report "Outcomes Management for Financial Service Providers: A proposed standard framework aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals". With this report, e-MFP and its partners CERISE and SPTF aim to contribute to building a framework of actionable indicators based on the SDG targets that can answer the need for a simple, credible methodology to monitor outcomes: one that is built on a well-defined social strategy and theory of change, and that is assessed regularly through internal data management systems.
Mar 02, 2022
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic severely affected many countries worldwide. As a result, the financial inclusion value chain has been exposed to unprecedented challenges and risks, whose effects are likely to be long-lasting. The e-MFP 'From Research to Practice and Back Again' Action Group conducted a research project seeking to analyse comprehensively these challenges and risks faced by the financial inclusion value chain actors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research explores the point of view of clients, Financial Service Provider (FSPs), investors, policymakers, and regulators to identify new arising opportunities and lessons learned that can be generally applied to crises with a global reach, such as the climate change.
Mar 01, 2022
Mark your calendar - call for applications opens on 14th March. Application guidance sessions in EN, FR or SP during 21-23 March.
Feb 23, 2022
Delve into the extensive summaries plus full recordings of the EMW2021 sessions covering key topics such as climate change and green finance, social performance, digital financial inclusion, access to health care, impact of and response to covid-19, women's financial inclusion, client protection and more….
Feb 16, 2022
The Financial Inclusion Forum UK (FIF UK) and the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) are pleased to invite you to join us for a webinar discussion on how financial service providers can increase access to affordable health care for low-income and vulnerable communities.
Feb 10, 2022
The 8th survey in the joint series by e-MFP members ADA, Inpulse Investment Manager and the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation on the effects of the Covid-19 crisis on their partner microfinance institutions (MFIs) highlights the importance of digital in the strategic orientations of MFIs.
Feb 04, 2022
In collaboration with USAID, e-MFP member Toronto Centre designed this toolkit to assist financial supervisors from emerging markets with integrating gender dimensions into their supervisory practices. It is a practical, hands-on resource intended to highlight the relevance of gender inclusion and awareness to supervisory authorities and support them in taking their next steps towards more gender-aware supervision.
Feb 02, 2022
¡Comparte! /Partagez! /Share around! EMA2021 publication on 'Inclusive Finance & Health Care' now available in EN, SP & FR
Jan 24, 2022
Join this English/Spanish webinar to learn about “Barriers, Bias & Banking: Balancing needs & risks related to gender and unintended consequences of financial services,” hosted by e-MFP members SPTF & Grameen Foundation.
Jan 16, 2022
The World Savings and Retail Banking Institute are looking for a 'Adviser for the African region'.
Dec 21, 2021
The World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI) programme for financial inclusion, Scale2Save, has launched ‘A case study on digital platforms serving the agricultural sector’, the fifth of its State of the Savings and Retail Banking Sector in Africa research series.
Dec 16, 2021
The 7th European Conference on Microfinance will be held on 20th-22nd June, 2022 at the Yunus Centre for Social Business & Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom. For more information about how to submit an abstract and the ERCM conference please visit the website: https://www.ercm2022.com/
Dec 16, 2021
Season's Greetings and warmest wishes for 2022 from e-MFP!
Dec 16, 2021
Thank you to the 500+ participants, our stellar speakers, e-MFP members, generous sponsors and supporters who joined us during 17-19 November for virtual #EMW2021. We are currently working on the extensive conference report but in the meantime, re-visit our plenary session recordings:
Dec 16, 2021
Catch up on the latest #financialinclusion news from European Microfinance Platform, e-MFP in our newsletter out now! With: our 4 exciting #emw2021 plenary recordings; best practices & lessons learned from EMA2021; round up of e-MFP 2021 publications; our blog series on #HR development practices; our Action Group's recent #green #inclusivefinance webinars; introduction to our new board members, and more...
Dec 15, 2021
e-MFP has had a busy and productive 2021 and this is especially true for publications. A big thank you to all those involved and in case some passed you by, see the complete list
Dec 10, 2021
During the e-MFP General Meeting of Members held online on the 2nd December, several new board members were elected. We would like to wecome and introduce Alain Lévy from BNP Paribas, Lucia Spaggiari from MFR and Laura Viganò from University of Bergamo
Dec 03, 2021
If 2020 was the most challenging year in e-MFP's history, 2021 comes a close second. This annual activity report provides a summary to our members of what we have been doing this year – from Covid-specific workstreams to Action Groups, publications and new communications models – and to put these activities in the context of what e-MFP has planned for the future, always ensuring that everything we do is responsive to the concerns, ideas and priorities of our members and the financial inclusion sector at large.
Nov 30, 2021
e-MFP is looking for an Advisor to support the European Microfinance Award 2022 which will focus on financial inclusion for women and its aim is to highlight financial inclusion initiatives that go beyond traditional outreach metrics and instead focus on women's needs, hopes and challenges - and respond accordingly. Deadline to apply is 13th December 2021.
Nov 29, 2021
The European Microfinance Platform is delighted to announce the publication of 'The First Wealth is Health', the latest in its annual series of publications that condense the themes and pull together the outstanding cases and factors for success from that year’s European Microfinance Award (EMA). For almost everyone in the world this year, health care has been at the forefront of their minds. Covid-19 has put all countries’ health care systems under a microscope, and one legacy of the pandemic will undoubtedly be a re-thinking of how all societies take care of their most vulnerable people. 'The First Wealth is Health' condenses the themes, pulls together the outstanding cases and factors for success from the 2021 European Microfinance Award on Inclusive Finance and Health Care.
Nov 22, 2021
European Microfinance Week (#EMW2021), online for the second consecutive year, concluded Friday with a plenary entitled Crisis and opportunity – where do we go from here?’ in which a panel of senior speakers representing different stakeholder groups looked back over the period of the pandemic and discussed what changes – better or worse – will endure.
Nov 22, 2021
Many thanks to our media partners and the Luxembourg press for the excellent coverage of EMW 2021
Nov 19, 2021
Three financial service providers from the South were in the running to receive the 2021 European Microfinance Award, which focused this year on projects that promote access for vulnerable populations to high-quality healthcare at an affordable price.
Nov 17, 2021
For the second straight year, European Microfinance Week 2021 is online. Opening today, the annual conference typically welcomes over 500 professionals to Luxembourg from around the world leading global experts, opinion-leaders, policy-makers and investors from the financial inclusion sector.
Nov 10, 2021
The Heads of the e-MFP Green Inclusive and Climate-Smart Finance Action Group, Natalia Realpe Carrillo and Davide Forcella, are pleased to invite you to a webinar series this Thursday, November 11, at 4 pm CET. Agustín Vitórica, founder and Co-CEO of GAWA Capital will share his experience on the role of social impact funds in promoting green strategies in the microfinance sector.
Nov 09, 2021
Nos complace anunciar la publicación de la versión española del Financial Inclusion Compass 2021, la cuarta edición de una serie diseñada para recoger las opiniones de la industria sobre las nuevas tendencias a corto, medio y largo plazo en el sector de la inclusión financiera.
Oct 26, 2021
El Grupo de Acción para las Finanzas Verdes Inclusivas y Climáticamente Inteligentes de la Plataforma Europea de las Microfinanzas (GICSF AG) está organizando cursos de formación en línea sobre el Green Index 3.0 para los proveedores de servicios financieros (PSF) interesados en saber más sobre la evaluación y la gestión del rendimiento de las finanzas verdes inclusivas. La formación incluirá la recopilación de datos sobre el rendimiento medioambiental de los PSF y se impartirá en tres idiomas (en inglés el 8 de noviembre, en español el 10 de noviembre y en francés el 12 de noviembre).
Oct 26, 2021
Le Groupe d'Action de l’e-MFP « Finance verte inclusive et intelligente face au climat » (GICSF AG) organise des formations en ligne sur le Green Index 3.0 pour les prestataires de services financiers (PSF) désireux d'en savoir plus sur l'évaluation et la gestion de la performance de la finance verte inclusive. La formation inclura la collecte de données sur la performance environnementale des PSF et se déroulera en trois langues (en anglais le 8 Nov, en espagnol le 10 novembre et en français le 12 novembre).
Oct 25, 2021
Get updated on the latest client protection developments in the industry! A lot has happened since the closure of the Smart Campaign in late 2020--in particular, the launch of the CERISE + SPTF Client Protection Pathway. The CP Pathway, the new Client Protection Certification program, and the resources available to support financial service providers will be explained.
Oct 19, 2021
e-MFP is pleased to announce the launch of the first EMW 2021 Training Days, conducted within the framework of European Microfinance Week 2021. Taking place on the 15th and 16th of November, this is an online training programme, hosted and convened by e-MFP, aiming to bring our members and other financial inclusion actors together to build capacity, reduce knowledge and skills gaps, and learn from some of the world's best training providers in the digital and financial inclusion sector.
Oct 19, 2021
The Green Inclusive and Climate-Smart Finance Action Group (GICSF AG) is organizing online trainings on the Green Index 3.0 for FSPs interested to know more about the assessment and management of green inclusive finance performance. The training will include data gathering on FSPs environmental performance.
Oct 14, 2021
C’est avec plaisir que nous vous annonçons la publication de la version française du Financial Inclusion Compass 2021 - le quatrième d'une série visant à recueillir les opinions du secteur sur les tendances émergentes à court, moyen et long terme dans le secteur de l'inclusion financière.
Oct 13, 2021
Connect with the key players of the sector and discover the insights and innovations that are shaping the future of inclusive finance.
Oct 11, 2021
We are pleased to announce that the 7th European Research Conference on Microfinance will take place on 20-22 June 2022 at Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland, UK. The conference is organised by the Glasgow Caledonian University in collaboration with the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP).
Oct 11, 2021
Digitalisation is revolutionising the way financial service providers conduct their business. This new publication explores the answers to a question that many executives are asking: How best to digitalise a financial institution? The case study draws upon management consulting literature to assess digitalisation strategies in a pragmatic way. It also assesses three leading African financial organisations against this framework: Al Barid Bank, Morocco; Equity Bank, Kenya; and Consolidated Bank, Ghana.
Sep 28, 2021
Crecer IFD from Bolivia; Dreamlopments Ltd. from Thailand; and Fonkoze from Haiti announced as finalists
Sep 23, 2021
We’re excited for you to join us from wherever you are in the world and connect for three days of knowledge exchange, peer to peer learning and the chance to engage with thought leaders from the financial inclusion sector.
Sep 20, 2021
The Heads of the e-MFP's Green Inclusive and Climate-Smart Finance Action Group, Natalia Realpe Carrillo and Davide Forcella, are pleased to invite you to the webinar series this Thursday, September 23, at 16:00 CEST with Christoph Jungfleisch from YAPU Solutions and Ricardo Romero from Fundación Génesis Empresarial.
Sep 10, 2021
This webinar introduces ATLAS, a data platform which provides an all-in-one approach to data management in financial inclusion, from data reporting to analytics and benchmarking. Launched in 2020, ATLAS centralizes data from financial service providers on pricing, client protection, social and financial performance, providing a solution that helps make the financial inclusion industry accountable.
Sep 09, 2021
Join e-MFP member Yapu and other members of the e-MFP Green Inclusive & Climate Smart Finance Action Group in the launch of the new initiative 'Scale for Resilience' happening on 14th September (in Spanish)
Sep 07, 2021
The heads of the Green Inclusive and Climate Smart Finance Action Group are pleased to invite you to our webinar series this Thursday, September 9th, at 4 pm CET. We will be presenting the insights from the Impact-Driven and Action-Based Research project, IMPACT-R, identifying and assessing customers' vulnerabilities in regard to covered basic needs at household level. In particular, we will be sharing about the methods used, the role of digital tools, the experiences in field work, and most importantly, the “why” of this project.
Aug 31, 2021
e-MFP's Human Resources (HR) Action Group has published the report 'Human Resource Development practices in the microfinance sector'. This publication, prepared by Cheryl Frankiewicz, is the result of the HR Action Group's research journey to map out the current landscape of Human Resource Development (HRD) practices among microfinance institutions (MFIs), and to shed some light on the relationship between HR practices and MFI performance.
Aug 30, 2021
The 23rd MFC Annual Conference – MFC’s first-ever fully virtual networking event – is a perfect opportunity for social finance professionals to network, share ideas, learn from an impressive line-up of guests and lay the groundwork for successful future partnerships.
Jul 19, 2021
It is with great sadness that the Board and the Secretariat of the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) have to inform you that our Board member Sachin Vankalas passed away on 15 July 2021. Sachin had been ill for several weeks due to complications associated with Covid. He was only 38 and leaves a young family. We are all deeply shocked and we are, of course, thinking first and foremost of his family.
Jul 15, 2021
The Green Index is the main tool for FSPs’ environmental performance assessment. It was developed in 2014 by the e-MFP Green Inclusive and Climate Smart Finance Action Group (GICSF-AG) and updated to the 2.0 version in 2016. This year the GICSF AG is updating the Green Index to Green Index 3.0 and SPTF, CERISE and e-MFP’s GICSF AG have joined forces to develop the Environmental Management Dimension (i.e. Dim 7) of the Universal Standards for Social Performance Management (USSPM). After almost one year of joint work, more than 250 stakeholders, more than 40 reviewers involved and above 3000 inputs received, we are pleased to present you the current status of the Green Index 3.0 & Dim 7 USSPM.
Jul 13, 2021
Financial Innovations are disrupting the financial services industry bringing tangible benefits to the end users. However, new technologies pose new risks that need to be addressed in order to provide a secure framework so that financial entities and users can interact. FinTech regulation aims to create this framework, more than being a tight set of rules, modern regulation is based on principles such as financial inclusion or the promotion of fair competence. This webinar will take a look at practical uses to show how the regulation can be implemented to create a better financial services environment that is inclusive and efficient.
Jul 12, 2021
Our latest Newsletter is now out - check out our recent news & activities: 'The First Wealth is Health' - webinar recording on inclusive finance and health care presenting the current health care landscape; Guest blog 'Hospital Cash: A Game-Changer for Enabling Financial Inclusion in the Post-COVID Economy' from Gilles Renouil, Women's World Banking; Joint publication from e-MFP and CFI 'Weathering the Storm II: Tales of Survival from Microfinance Crises Past'; 'Using Past Crises to Prepare for the Post-Covid Recovery' - Webinar recording exploring lessons learned from past crisis experience help face the COVID-19 crisis and prepare for the coming recovery; 'Financial Inclusion Compass 2021' - new publication and webinar launch; Update on e-MFP and SPTF collaboration on EU sustainable finance regulations; The most recent webinars from our Green Inclusive and Climate Smart Action Group; New e-MFP Action Groups launched - on savings and on WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene).
Jul 07, 2021
On 7 July a webinar hosted by the European Microfinance Platform in partnership with FinDev Gateway explored findings from the survey. The Financial Inclusion Compass 2021 will be published in English, Spanish, and French, and we are pleased to kick off the launch with this English-language webinar.
Jul 07, 2021
e-MFP’s English-language Financial Inclusion Compass 2021 publication is launched, examining current trends, future focus areas, challenges, role changes – and how to ‘build back better’.
Jul 06, 2021
With the recent rapid growth of impact investing and the accompanying concerns over "green-washing" and "impact-washing," the European Commission has been working on a package of regulations to ensure that impact and sustainable finance investments are carried out within a standardized reporting framework. This includes, among others, the recently published Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and associated publications.
Jul 05, 2021
Action Groups (AG) are an important part of e-MFP activities allowing members to join forces and work together on specific projects and activities in areas of common interest. e-MFP is delighted to announce the launch of 2 new AGs - the 'Better Metrics for Effective Savings’ and the WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Action Group.
Jul 01, 2021
The e-MFP WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Action Group aims to tackle key information/knowledge gaps in the water and sanitation sector, and to map and define water and sanitation indicators that can be widely used by different stakeholders in the financial inclusion sector, particularly by the investors in their decisions.
Jun 30, 2021
Weathering the Storm II synthesizes the experiences and lessons from 16 institutions in 14 countries on four continents that faced a variety of crises over 15-year period. Its aim is to use these lessons to inform those facing future crises, including the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the fascinating discussion from our webinar which draws on the recent publication.
Jun 25, 2021
Oikocredit is looking for an inspirational and visionary Managing Director to lead the impact into the future. The deadline for application is 26 July 2021.
Jun 22, 2021
This Toronto Centre webinar series will examine the challenging role central bankers and supervisors play in supporting a sustainable, inclusive economic recovery while maintaining financial stability. Distinguished panelists will explore the opportunities and challenges arising from increasing digitization and climate change for financial stability and inclusion.
Jun 22, 2021
Five years after the implementation of the Green Index 2.0, as one of the preparation activities of the Green Index 3.0, the GICSF AG has launched a series of surveys and conducted interviews with different stakeholders in order to understand the needs related to environmental performance, and the relevance of the different indicators of the tool.
Jun 21, 2021
CERSEM - Center for Research on Social Enterprises and Microfinance, University of Agder (UiA) is searching for two highly motivated and talented candidates for PhD studies at one of Europe's leading PhD programs.
Jun 11, 2021
While it is difficult to predict the progression of the pandemic, it remains likely that travel restrictions will still apply in the coming months and that participants from the global South will be unable to come to Luxembourg during the conference period. In order to ensure an international conference with the participation of stakeholders from all around the world, e-MFP has therefore decided to organise European Microfinance Week 2021 virtually, 17 to 19 November, building on the excellent experience from the 2020 edition.
Jun 11, 2021
There is growing awareness that ‘nature-based solutions' (NbS) can help to protect the planet from climate change impacts while slowing further warming, supporting biodiversity and securing ecosystem services. The Green Inclusive and Climate Smart Finance Action Group hosted a webinar on 10th June during which Jason Spensley, specialist from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), shared key lessons learned for the green inclusive sector.
Jun 09, 2021
The 6th survey in the series conducted by e-MFP members Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation, ADA and Inpulse Investment Manager on the impact of the COVID19 crisis in the microfinance sector focuses on the threat that credit risk may pose to the solvency of MFIs.
Jun 02, 2021
Every two years since 2009, the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) and the Centre for European Research in Microfinance (CERMi), in partnership with a broad group of European Universities, organise the European Research Conference on Microfinance. e-MFP is launching this call for interest to host the 7th edition of the conference.
Jun 01, 2021
Weathering the Storm II (WTS), a joint publication of European Microfinance Platform and the Center for Financial Inclusion, supported by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, brings together the experience of 16 different institutions that dealt with crisis and makes it available to all. These case studies come from 14 countries on four continents, including nearly every type of institution — from NGO to bank.
May 28, 2021
Watch the recording of the e-MFP webinar with an outstanding panel of experts presenting the current health care landscape, including the needs of low-income households and the costs they must bear to access health care, the role of different financial products such as insurance as well as crucial non-financial support, the particular health care needs of women, and the roles that financial services providers can play to address this enormous challenge.
May 10, 2021
Share your forecasts for the future of the financial inclusion sector - survey closes 31st May
May 03, 2021
This latest update confirms that the microfinance sector remains resilient and on its way to a cautious and gradual recovery, but the pace depends on type of institution, region, and capital buffers.
Apr 30, 2021
Aware of the need for construction and improvement of sanitation services in some areas of the country, MiCrédito has a special line of credit that finances the construction and improvement of sanitation services in those areas that do not have adequate sanitation systems. Veronica Herrera, CEO of MiCrédito, shares their experience as a microfinance institution providing WASH loans in rural and peri-urban areas of Nicaragua.
Apr 29, 2021
Weathering the Storm II - portfolio chart
Apr 22, 2021
Our latest Newsletter is now out - check out our recent news & activities: Update on the European Microfinance Award 2021 on Inclusive Finance and Health Care; guest blog 'Five to thrive! Embedding health in financial services' from Craig Churchill & Lisa Morgan, ILO; interview with Muktinath Bikas Bank of Nepal on their savings products and; the most recent webinars from our Green Inclusive and Climate Smart Action Group.
Apr 15, 2021
Round 1 of the European Microfinance Award 2021 on ‘Inclusive Finance and Health Care’ has closed, and we received a fantastic response from organisations working in the financial inclusion sector around the world who are increasing access to affordable and quality health care for low-income communities.
Apr 07, 2021
To kick off our second quarter webinar series, we eagerly discussed the challenges, opportunities, and learnings encountered by BrightLife and Penda Capital on its journeys to boost financing for clean energy technologies in rural areas in Uganda.
Apr 01, 2021
Toronto Centre is hosting a Virtual Executive Panel featuring Mark Carney, United Nations Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, and Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of Finance Indonesia on April 7th.
Mar 29, 2021
e-MFP is looking for a consultant to support the development of a five year strategic plan, for the period 2022-2026. Deadline to apply is 12th April, proposals from e-MFP members are encouraged.
Mar 26, 2021
Missed the Application Guidance sessions (EN/FR/SP) for the €100,000 European Microfinance Award 2021 ‘Inclusive Finance and Health Care’? You can watch the recordings now.
Mar 19, 2021
The e-MFP "Better Metrics for Effective Savings" Action Group is currently looking for a financial inclusion consultant to support a study on savings metrics and reporting standards. Deadline to apply is 11th April 2021.
Mar 16, 2021
BlueOrchard Finance Ltd (BlueOrchard) has reached an exciting milestone. The impact investing pioneer celebrates 20 years of generating lasting positive impact for communities and the environment, while providing attractive returns to investors. Through BlueOrchard’s investments, millions of people with low income in emerging and frontier markets received access to financial and related services. Some of these are portrayed in BlueOrchard’s anniversary book “This Is My Story”.
Mar 15, 2021
Is your organisation active in the financial inclusion sector and does it facilitate access to quality and affordable health care for low-income communities? Applications are now open (in EN, FR or SP) for the €100,000 European Microfinance Award.
Mar 10, 2021
The e-MFP Action Group ‘From Research to Practice and Back Again’ is currently looking for a financial inclusion consultant to support specific activities. Deadline to apply is 9th April 2021.
Mar 04, 2021
Our latest Newsletter is now out - check out our recent news & activities: release of the EMW 2020 conference report; recent webinars on savings and green inclusive finance; French & Spanish editions of our publication "Encouraging Effective & Inclusive Savings"; guest blog from Jeff Ashe on "Looking Backwards to Move Forward: What Traditional Ways of Saving in Groups Can Teach Us About Financial Inclusion" and our collaboration with CFI at Accion on buidling knowledge to guide a long-term Covid response in the Weathering the Storm II project.
Mar 02, 2021
Los directores del Grupo de Acción de Finanzas Verdes Inclusivas y Climáticamente Inteligentes de la e-MFP (GICSF AG) se complacen en invitarle a este webinar sobre experiencias de finanzas verdes inclusivas en Perú. El webinar tendrá lugar en español. Invitamos a todas las partes interesadas en las microfinanzas de la región o bien que operan en América Latina a participar.
Mar 01, 2021
As part of the continuing expansion of the financial sector development segment, AFC is looking for a Junior Project Manager/Consultant.
Feb 26, 2021
On March 10th, e-MFP member ADA hosts an online Midi Microfinance (in Spanish with English translation) focusing on innovative solutions for young entrepreneurs in Central America
Feb 23, 2021
Delve into the extensive summaries plus full recordings of the EMW2020 sessions covering key topics such as the impact of & response to covid-19, effective & inclusive savings, digital finance, climate change, client protection and more....
Feb 17, 2021
Are you a bilingual go-getter/Vous êtes un fonceur bilingue ? Keen to play a catalytic role in the development of financial services and agriculture in Francophone Africa? MSC is looking for a team leader who can nurture, grow and realize the full potential of its Francophone Africa team.
Feb 15, 2021
Join us 17 - 19 November, further information will be available in the coming months.
Feb 02, 2021
Webinar series organised by the e-MFP's Green Inclusive & Climate Smart Finance Action Group Since 2009 a number of tools are available for FSPs to support social and/or environmental governance (ESG) implementation. Two of these tools were developed by Enclude (now Palladium): for HIVOS: the Green Performance Agenda (GPA, 2015), for IFAD: a Climate, Environmental and Social Toolbox (2019). Palladium’s Geert Schuite will present both tools in short. Participants are invited to discuss the relevance of such applications in their daily practice.
Feb 01, 2021
Es para la e-MFP un placer presentarles la publicación del Premio Europeo de las Microfinanzas 2020 "Fomento del ahorro eficaz e inclusivo", que se publica por primera vez en español. Esta publicación reúne las innovaciones y los factores de éxito de los diez semifinalistas (y, entre ellos, los tres finalistas), al tiempo que destaca la importancia permanente (y especialmente relevante hoy en día) del acceso al ahorro para fortalecer la resiliencia de los hogares de bajos ingresos.
Feb 01, 2021
Nous sommes heureux de vous partager la publication du Prix 2020 sur le thème "Encourager une épargne efficace et inclusive", pour la première fois en français et en espagnol ! Cette publication rassemble les innovations et les facteurs de réussite des dix meilleurs candidats, tout en soulignant l'importance durable (et particulièrement pertinente aujourd'hui) de l'accès à l'épargne pour renforcer la résilience des ménages à faible revenu.
Jan 26, 2021
Over the past six months, e-MFP has been collaborating with the Center for Financial Inclusion on Weathering the Storm II, a project that explores FSPs whose experience with crisis during the past decade is particularly relevant to the challenges of today. Thus far the project has produced four case studies, with one more to be published.
Jan 14, 2021
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.
Jan 05, 2021
The Financial Inclusion Forum UK (FIF UK) and the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) are pleased to invite you to join us for an open-to-all expert discussion on the state-of-the-art in savings behaviour and what different financial services providers are doing to innovate in the design and delivery of savings to low-income households and businesses.
Jan 01, 2021
This webinar (which will be held in Spanish, English, and French on different dates) aims to guide participants on the tool, its axes of evaluation, the concepts of environmental performance reviewed to update the tool, and the introduction of a fifth dimension in an interactive modality. Participants will be invited to discuss the ways forward to assess environmental performance of MFIs. This webinar is relevant for financial service providers, investors, academia and consultants.
Dec 21, 2020
Season's Greetings and warmest wishes for 2021.
Dec 18, 2020
We're delighted to share a short creative video presenting the preliminary findings of research on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the financial inclusion value chain conducted by the e-MFP Action Group 'From Research to Practice'.
Dec 16, 2020
The e-MFP Human Resources Action Group has developed a survey for financial service providers (FSPs) to understand their current state of HR practice and gain insight into alternative approaches that contribute to social and financial performance. This survey is for all institutions aiming at cultivating talent and protecting and benefiting their employees.
Dec 09, 2020
2020 has been a very challenging year in which the Covid-19 pandemic has posed a critical threat to the financial inclusion sector. e-MFP responded quickly to this change in circumstances, and re-configured a lot of the planned activities for 2020 to assist in the sector-wide response to the pandemic while continuing our typical activities alongside. Therefore our challenging year has also been a very busy, productive and rewarding year for the European Microfinance Platform. We're delighted to share with you in this annual report our many activities and achievements.
Dec 09, 2020
The Heads of the e-MFP Green Inclusive & Climate Smart Finance Action Group are pleased to invite you to this webinar on Microfinance and Climate Change. We are confident the results of this study will be useful for the industry.
Dec 03, 2020
The European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) is looking for a consultant to support the European Microfinance Award 2021. The deadline to apply is 14th December 2020.
Dec 02, 2020
The Heads of the e-MFP Green Inclusive & Climate Smart Finance Action Group are pleased to invite you to this webinar on the long-term changes that COVID-19 will bring to the off-grid solar energy sector. We are confident the results of this research will be useful for the industry.
Nov 27, 2020
Calling all MFIs - CGAP has launched the final wave of the Global Pulse Survey of Microfinance Institutions. Participate before December 15 and help produce a detailed analysis of how this crisis evolved from the spring through the end of the year that will be useful to industry stakeholders in this and future crises.
Nov 24, 2020
Many thanks to our media partners and the Luxembourg press for the excellent coverage of EMW 2020.
Nov 23, 2020
European Microfinance Week (#EMW2020), for the first time entirely online, concluded Friday with a fireside-style conversation on the implications of the events of 2020 for the future of financial inclusion. Dina Pons from Incofin Investment Management and Claudio González-Vega of Ohio State University and the BBVA Microfinance Foundation argued that 2020 has revealed several key trends, risks and opportunities – from the outsized impact that smaller MFIs will face from liquidity challenges to staff retrenchment, to the clear acceleration of digitalisation and more active intervention – including populist measures – by governments in financial inclusion. This was followed by closing words to end EMW2020 by e-MFP’s chairwoman Laura Hemrika, who summarised some of the major takeaways from the many debates, presentations and discussions over the conference: among them the enduring uncertainty over the impact of the Covid crisis on clients; the emerging need to overcome the challenges of providing TA and conducting research in this new context; the continued and clear desire for new linkages between stakeholders that for too long have remained siloed; the particular importance of savings to increase client resilience; and the welcomingly nuanced debate over how digitisation can be made to work for the benefit of everyone.
Nov 20, 2020
Muktinath Bikas Bank Ltd. has received this year’s European Microfinance Award for encouraging savings in Nepal. This prestigious annual award rewards inclusive finance initiatives.
Nov 18, 2020
The online European Microfinance Week (#EMW2020) conference, hosted by the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) opened today, prefacing three days of virtual debate and discussion on the critical challenges and opportunities facing the financial inclusion sector. #EMW2020 may be fully online – with new streams, session formats and networking models on a new dedicated platform – but it retains many of its core characteristics as a member-driven conference, supported by the Luxembourg government. Among one of the most important annual events in the financial inclusion sector, EMW brings together all branches of the industry, including e-MFP’s own members, to discuss trends, innovations, challenges and opportunities in inclusive finance in developing countries.
Nov 14, 2020
In partnership with Practical Action Publishinge-MFP is publishing its first book: "Taking Shelter: Housing Finance for the World's Poor." Co-edited by Patrick McAllister and e-MFP's Daniel Rozas and generously funded by Calmeadow, Credit Suisse, Habitat for Humanity, Triple Jump and the Agence Française de Développement, the new volume explores the full spectrum of housing finance practice, from the perspective of the household, the FSP, investors, and regulators and policymakers.
Nov 12, 2020
The European Microfinance Platform is delighted to announce the publication of Encouraging Effective & Inclusive Savings, the latest in an annual series of papers that condense the themes and pull together the outstanding cases and factors for success from that year’s European Microfinance Award. Despite the incredible challenges faced by financial service providers throughout 2020, this year’s Award on Encouraging Effective & Inclusive Savings received a record number of applicants from all regions of the world, innovating in different ways in the design, delivery and encouragement of savings among vulnerable, low-income populations.
Nov 11, 2020
BlueOrchard Finance Ltd (BlueOrchard), a leading impact investment manager and member of the Schroders Group, is pleased to announce the launch of the “BlueOrchard Covid-19 Emerging and Frontier Markets MSME Support Fund”. The Fund is backed by prominent public and private investors who will jointly support its launch with around USD 140 million.
Nov 09, 2020
Don't miss virtual European Microfinance Week 2020, 18-20 November, Over 40 sessions at EMW2020 on #microfinance #financialinclusion #impinv #savings #housing #clientprotection #digitalfinance and more...
Nov 02, 2020
European Microfinance Week (EMW) 2020 is virtual! We’re excited for you to join us from wherever you are in the world and connect for three days of knowledge exchange, peer to peer learning and the chance to engage with thought leaders from the financial inclusion sector
Oct 26, 2020
e-MFP's Green Inclusive and Climate Smart Finance Action Group developed the Green Index in 2014. The AG is planning to launch a 3rd version by 2021 and, to this end, has designed a survey for investors to help understand the needs towards environmental performance and relevance of indicators for upgrading the Green Index.
Oct 20, 2020
Biodiversity is a key factor for Agriculture Finance. But it is threatened globally and lacks representation in credit decisions in general, which results in its further decline. To counteract this issue, the Microfinance for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (MEbA) project is launching a dedicated online platform to foster the inclusion of biodiversity considerations in agricultural lending decisions.
Oct 19, 2020
We’re excited for you to join us from wherever you are in the world and connect for three days of knowledge exchange, peer to peer learning and the chance to engage with thought leaders from the financial inclusion sector.
Oct 14, 2020
Learn how e-MFP members are encouraging effective & inclusive savings, focus of the European Microfinance Award 2020, in our Members’ Spotlight out now.
Oct 13, 2020
This session will feature lessons from a series of case studies jointly published by CFI and e-MFP. These cases studies examine the experience of MFIs following previous crises, and steps taken by investors, board members, and leadership to set them on the path to recovery and future success. The session will provide lessons and recommendations for stakeholders navigating their way through the current pandemic, to similarly steer organizations toward future success as they emerge from the crisis.
Oct 06, 2020
Buusaa Gonofaa Microfinance, Muktinath Bikas Bank and RENACA-Bénin announced as finalists for the €100,000 EMA 2020, representing a diverse landscape of approaches to encouraging savings usage.
Sep 22, 2020
The Alliance of Financial Inclusion (AFI) is organizing a virtual launch of its European Representative Office (ERO), co-hosted in the City of Luxembourg by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The ERO office launch will be conducted virtually and will include a news conference and a discussion with the honorable Minister of Finance of Luxembourg, Mr. Pierre Gramegna, the honorable Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of Luxembourg Mr. Franz Fayot, and AFI Executive Director Dr. Alfred Hannig.
Sep 22, 2020
Tras varios meses inmersos en una crisis mundial con enormes implicaciones para el sector de la inclusión financiera, e-MFP lanzó una edición especial de su encuesta anual “Financial Inclusion Compass” en inglés, francés y español con el objetivo de proporcionar una mirada transversal sobre los desafíos que el COVID-19 plantea a las distintas partes interesadas, lo que dichas partes consideran que deben ser las prioridades a medio plazo para salir de la crisis y cómo será el sector en la era post-COVID.
Sep 11, 2020
La Plataforma Europea de Microfinanzas (e-MFP) se complace en invitarle a un webinar en español para presentar las conclusiones de la tercera encuesta de la e-MFP Compass, una edición especial que examina específicamente los desafíos que el Covid-19 plantea al sector de la inclusión financiera.
Sep 10, 2020
Several months into a global crisis with enormous implications for the financial inclusion sector, e-MFP launched a special Covid-19 edition of the Financial Inclusion Compass survey in English, French and Spanish - a genuinely cross-sector look at what challenges different stakeholder groups are facing, what they see as the medium-term priorities to transition out of the crisis, and what a post-Covid sector will look like. The Covid-19 Financial Inclusion Compass was published in English in July, and e-MFP is now delighted to announce the first-ever publication of the paper in Spanish and French.
Aug 25, 2020
e-MFP members CGAP and Women's World Banking together with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Bank Group, have developed a joint white paper on gender intentional digital cash transfers in the time of COVID-19, offering guidance and considerations for policymakers to support women's inclusion and empowerment.
Aug 07, 2020
Catch up on the latest news on how e-MFP members are addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in the blogs, guides, studies and webinar recordings listed on our dedicated page which is regularly updated.
Jul 24, 2020
We are very pleased to announce that Inpulse Investment Manager has been added to the list of authorized AIFMs by the Belgian #FSMA (Financial Services and Market Authority).
Jul 23, 2020
Our Summer Newsletter is now out - check out our recent news & activities: updates on EMW 2020 & the European Microfinance Award; our latest publications the 'Covid-19 Financial Inclusion Compass' & 'Adapting to a New Normal'; our blog series 'Perspectives from the Frontline' and valuable Covid-19 resources.
Jul 22, 2020
Amidst the various challenges all sector stakeholders have been facing these past months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, one thing is abundantly clear: savings matter more than ever. This is as true in developed as in emerging economies, and the benefits of savings – cash-flow smoothing, convenience, shock mitigation among many – are crucial to how vulnerable populations can weather crises.
Jul 15, 2020
The Covid-19 Financial Inclusion Compass is a special edition of the Compass series specifically focused on the current challenges, medium-term priorities, concerns, opportunities and forecasts for a sector facing probably the greatest crisis in its modern history. It reveals a sector that is highly anxious about the consequences of the pandemic and especially the economic downturn – on liquidity-starved providers, on investors, but most of all on clients.
Jul 15, 2020
Are you ready for Digitization? During the current Covid-19 crisis BFC Consulting are pleased to provide free Q&A sessions with our expert consultants online to respond to any relevant questions you may have every second Thursday of the month.
Jul 14, 2020
It has been a difficult few months and during this time we at e-MFP have engaged with our members and friends to mobilize resources and adapt our activities to best mitigate the effects this pandemic brings to our sector and the vulnerable people we as a community serve. One of our flagship activities is European Microfinance Week held annually in November and with it in mind, we have been closely monitoring the public health situation globally. Now more than ever it's vital to connect and gather together the inclusive finance world to find solutions to the most pressing issues of the sector. However in the face of the current situation with the Covid-19 pandemic we've taken the decision to gather responsibly and this year EMW 2020 will go online 16th – 20th November.
Jul 02, 2020
In order to better understand and share the results of its action, the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation publishes its first Impact Report based on the activity data for 2019. This in-depth work was carried out with methodological support from CERISE, an international firm that specializes in impact and social performance measurement. The purpose of this report is to provide an objective overview of the Foundation’s contribution to the fight against poverty by analysing the effects of its commitment to impact entrepreneurship.
Jul 01, 2020
The European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) is pleased to invite you to a webinar to present the preliminary and pre-publication findings from the third e-MFP Compass survey - a special edition of the survey specifically looking at the challenges Covid-19 is posing to sector stakeholders, and what they prioritise going forward.
Jun 30, 2020
Read our latest publication "Adapting to a New Normal" which presents the outcomes of the European Microfinance Award 2019 on 'Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change' and summarises the Award process, profiling the Award semi-finalists and their relevant initiatives, and extracts factors for success that distinguish these programmes. More than ever, the lessons from the 2019 Award on how to protect clients, staff and institutions from external crises are especially relevant as a Covid-threatened sector seeks to adapt today to not just one, but two 'new normals'.
Jun 18, 2020
Dans le contexte de la crise du Covid-19, les microentreprises de l'économie informelle et les petites entreprises forment une pièce maîtresse dans la reprise économique et sociale. Soutenir les institutions de microfinance dans ce contexte revêt dès lors une importance capitale pour protéger leurs emprunteurs les plus vulnérables et continuer ainsi à jouer pleinement leur rôle dans les économies africaines.
Jun 14, 2020
The Covid-19 Financial Inclusion Compass is a special edition of the Compass series specifically focused on the current challenges, medium-term priorities, concerns, opportunities and forecasts for a sector facing probably the greatest crisis in its modern history. It reveals a sector that is highly anxious about the consequences of the pandemic and especially the economic downturn – on liquidity-starved providers, on investors, but most of all on clients.
Jun 12, 2020
The 2020 Annual Impact Investor Survey is the most comprehensive overview of impact investing market to date. In its 10th edition, the report captures data and insights from 294 of the world’s leading impact investors—the largest group of Annual Survey respondents ever—who collectively manage USD 404 billion of impact investing assets. These respondents, representing an important subset of the broader USD 715 billion global impact investing market, reported on their investment activity during 2019 and their plans for 2020.
Jun 09, 2020
The e-MFP third survey of financial inclusion trends is underway and this special edition focuses solely on the challenges and priorities facing the sector as a result of the Covid-19 public health and economic crisis. Share your view on how Covid will shape the future of the sector- complete the survey before 23:59 CEST on Tuesday 23rd June.
Jun 02, 2020
CGAP has launched a biweekly survey of microfinance institutions (MFIs) around the world. The survey is intended to gather data that MFI management teams, funders and policy makers all need to help these institutions and their low-income clients weather the COVID-19 crisis.
May 27, 2020
In the first of the new 'Financial Inclusion Conversations' video series with institutions that have successfully weathered past crises, e-MFP's Sam Mendelson sat down with Roshaneh Zafar of Kashf Foundation in Pakistan to talk about the past, present and future.
May 19, 2020
LMDF presents a series of interviews on the impact of COVID-19 in the countries where they operate. The pandemic has certainly changed the way we live but what is happening in countries where poverty rates are higher and where the informal economy dominates? The series of interviews examines how micro-entrepreneurs are coping in this changing world - this edition focuses on Peru.
May 19, 2020
Investors in the inclusive finance industry as well as the larger impact investing markets are facing a burning question: how do we balance our social promises while maintaining the financial sustainability of our portfolio? This is not an easy question to answer in good times - and is even more difficult during a global crisis.
May 15, 2020
Catch up on the joint e-MFP/ FIF UK cross-sector discussion panel held on 13 May where six outstanding speakers discuss how the financial inclusion sector is responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. Are we managing? Just how much trouble are we in?
May 11, 2020
With this Annual Report, ADA celebrates its 25 years of commitment to the development of inclusive finance and illustrates this engagement through the presentation of some of the most important projects our organization is currently working on.
May 11, 2020
As mobility is restricted and markets falter, the COVID-19 pandemic poses crucial health and economic risks for Savings Groups. On May 20th join SEEP together with CARE, Catholic Relief Services and the International Rescue Committee for the webinar to explore their response and recovery efforts related to Savings Groups, including health messaging, the integration of new technologies, cash and voucher assistance, new and potential partnerships, and more.
May 06, 2020
Round 1 of the European Microfinance Award 2020 on ‘Encouraging Effective and Inclusive Savings” has closed with a record number and range of applicants — an astonishing and welcome result considering the pressures financial services providers around the world are facing right now. More than ever, vulnerable populations’ access to quality savings products is going to be critical in mitigating the consequences of Covid-19 on households and businesses, and we are delighted to not only see so many applications, but to see specifically how these organisations are ensuring their innovative savings initiatives are helping clients.
May 04, 2020
Join this webinar to learn more about the COVID-19 Client Interview Tool -- a free client survey tool that can help financial service providers better understand how COVID-19 is affecting clients.
May 04, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought upon us the responsibility to create awareness, influence precautionary behavior, and drive safety of the weak and the vulnerable. MSC has developed a series conversational comics that can help microfinance institutions (MFIs) inform their frontline staff members and also their customers and the wider community on such issues as workplace safety, safe cash handling, customer etiquette, and personal safety measures.
Apr 30, 2020
On Friday 24th April, a group of nine inclusive finance fund managers (BlueOrchard, DWM, Incofin, Microvest, Oikocredit, responsAbility, Symbiotics, Triodos and Triple Jump - most of which are long-standing e-MFP members) issued a Memorandum of Understanding, entitled “Coordination among MIVs in response to Covid 19”. This is a complex and much-needed collective initiative, and will act as the foundation of the sector’s response to the challenges of Covid facing financial institutions and their clients around the world.
Apr 21, 2020
The COVID pandemic is causing incredible pressures on households the world over. But the frontline in protecting one’s family from financial shocks is always savings - a safety net against the twin perils of collapsing income and increased expenses.
Apr 16, 2020
The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation, in permanent contact with its network of nearly 80 partner microfinance institutions (MFIs) present in 40 countries, continues its work of collecting information, analysing and sharing its observations. Over the past few days, we have focused our follow-up on the consequences of the crisis and the work of the MFIs to deal with it.
Apr 16, 2020
e-MFP, with the Center for Financial Inclusion and the Social Performance Task Force, has today launched a new platform, www.covid-finclusion.org, for original essay content and a discussion forum where sector stakeholders can ask questions, initiate discussions and provide details of their own experiences, forecasts and concerns.
Apr 10, 2020
Dutch emerging market impact investors, under the banner of NpM, are joining forces to speak out and provide support to bolster the resilience of those most affected by the Covid-19 outbreak in emerging markets across the globe.
Apr 08, 2020
Financial services providers in the financial inclusion sector across the world are facing immense challenges ahead due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Clients will need different types of support to maintain their livelihoods, protect their families and businesses. Among these, access to savings services will be some of the most critical. Now, more than ever, clients need the resilience that inclusive savings offer.
Apr 07, 2020
Following its enquiry launched two weeks ago, the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation has established an observatory to constantly update the information collected through daily exchanges with its partner microfinance Institutions (MFIs). The goal is to better understand how to support them, but also to share its analysis with other financial players in the inclusive finance and development aid sector.
Apr 06, 2020
Over the last five years, Verdant Capital has arranged for clients each year in early May one-one-one investors meetings in London. In 2020, May 5 to May 7, Verdant Capital is hosting a virtual conference – Video Africa – with one-on-one investor meetings for selected microfinance banks, credit-only institutions and fintechs with the leading relevant investors globally.
Mar 31, 2020
With financial service providers and their customers suffering from the COVID crisis, how will investors be affected? How should social investors respond? While this crisis is unique in many ways, our community has experienced the value of social responsibility in tempering the effects of previous crises. Our focus is on collective action and coordination.
Mar 25, 2020
Grameen Credit Agricole Foundation's team launched a survey among its partners on March 11th in order to gather their first impressions and analysis, the impact on their clients' activity, on their institution and their potential needs. We also took advantage of our regular interactions with our partners to obtain as much information as possible. All further information in this document come from these resources. 56 Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) responded to our survey, out of 75 reached partners (75% participation rate) with the last answers received on March 19.
Mar 18, 2020
Find out about Frankfurt School of Finance & Management's upcoming programmes!
Mar 12, 2020
CGAP recently published a TOR for a Short-Term-Consultancy on Financial Sector Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.
Mar 11, 2020
IFAD’s technical assistance programme INSURED (Insurance for rural resilience and economic development) has been building knowledge about how to strengthen women producers’ access to climate risk insurance.
Mar 09, 2020
Is your organisation active in the financial inclusion sector and does it play an integral role in encouraging and/or providing effective and inclusive savings within low income, vulnerable and excluded groups? Applications are now open for the €100,000 European Microfinance Award. Deadline is extended to May 5th.
Mar 06, 2020
The countdown is on for the launch of the €100,000 European Microfinance Award on March 9th - check out why 'Encouraging Effective & Inclusive Savings' is the focus for 2020 in this MicroCapital interview.
Mar 04, 2020
European Microfinance Week 2019, #emw2019, gathered 450 leading experts from 62 countries to showcase the most exciting innovations advancing sustainable and responsible financial inclusion around the world. We are proud to present this extensive report which features all the sessions and brings together the important discussions, findings and presentations of the conference.
Mar 02, 2020
See in our video why applying for the European Microfinance Award is a such good idea. This prestigious annual award with €100,000 for the winner and €10,000 for the two runners-up attracts applications from organisations active in financial service around the world that are innovating in a particular area of financial inclusion. Applications for the 2020 Award open on 9th March
Feb 11, 2020
FinDev interviews Sarfraz Shah of APA Insurance, European Microfinance Award 2019 winner, on their work with Kenyan smallholders to help them build resilience to the effects of climate change such as droughts and flooding.
Feb 03, 2020
Join top experts from the financial inclusion sector to address today's most pressing challenges. Engage with close to 500 leaders & influencers from all over the globe.
Feb 01, 2020
Join e-MFP member ADA for their next Midi de la Microfinance 'When investment, inclusion and innovation meet together!' on 27 February from 12:00 to 14:00 in Luxembourg (in French)
Jan 24, 2020
As a confusing and often frightening decade gives way to a new – hopefully more positive – one, it’s hard to avoid the sense that the world around us is getting ever more fiendishly complex. Increasingly, that complexity extends to the social impact sector: Just a look at NextBillion’s top 10 articles of 2019 is enough to make your head spin. From bullish forecasts on financial inclusion’s impact on the SDGs to alternative measurement frameworks that call these predictions into question, with similarly divergent takes on topics from behavioural economics to impact investing and off-grid energy, the sector has expanded beyond the grasp of any single generalist. It’s easy to feel hypnotized by the complexity of it all.
Jan 21, 2020
Our Winter 2019/2020 is now out with: some of highlights of EMW 2019 and the European Microfinance Award ceremony; Spotlight on APA Insurance Ltd., winner of the 2019 Award; a look at our new publications; anniversary celebrations of two of e-MFP's members, ADA and BNP Paribas; an interesting article from BlueOrchard on 'Rethinking Climate Finance'; we welcome our new member Yapu Solutions; plus all the latest news and activities from e-MFP and its members complete the edition.
Jan 17, 2020
Join VisionFund's special webinar on 30th January to hear lessons learned from Linking Saving Groups to Financial Services - in Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Zambia.
Jan 16, 2020
The Microinsurance Network (MiN) is seeking a dynamic self-starter to join their Executive Team as Knowledge Manager. The deadline for applying is 3 February 2020.
Jan 13, 2020
In our new brochure learn how the winner and finalists of the European Microfinance Award 2019 on 'Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change' demonstrate a range of approaches to increase vulnerable populations’ resilience to climate change.
Jan 09, 2020
Join us on 21st January in Brussels to hear e-MFP's Sam Mendelson, author of the 'Financial Inclusion Compass 2019', present the trends, future areas of focus, challenges and opportunities for inclusive finance from the second e-MFP survey of financial inclusion trends in an event jointly held with the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI) - the European Savings and Retail Banking Group (ESBG) and e-MFP.
Jan 07, 2020
On 5th February at 12.00 in Brussels, e-MFP member BRS organises its Microfinance Lunch Break event, focusing on the economic and social empowerment of refugees.
Jan 07, 2020
The boards and general assemblies of CIDR (Centre International de Développement et de Recherche) and Pamiga (Participatory Microfinance Group for Africa) agreed to merge and create a new entity: CIDR Pamiga. Shared values, complementarity of expertise, and a common vision of development in rural Africa motivated this merger. Together, CIDR Pamiga will provide a joint delivery of technical assistance and funding to build inclusive economic ecosystems based on digital platforms and customized business services. The new organization will also provide technical assistance for investors in impact monitoring and management.
Dec 18, 2019
The final report of the study on the impact of microcredit on Syrian refugees clients of Al Majmoua (MFI in Lebanon) is released. The main goal of the study was to detect the impact of microcredit provision on refugees’ households and see which are the changes in their living conditions.
Dec 16, 2019
The European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) is looking for a consultant to support the European Microfinance Award 2020. The deadline for proposals is 10th January 2020
Dec 04, 2019
Thanks to the almost 450 participants from 62 countries who gathered at EMW 2019! See what made it special in our photo galleries:
Dec 03, 2019
Banks that want to accelerate financial inclusion should focus on young people in Africa, understand their lives and needs better, and offer them appropriate and tailored products. These are among the key conclusions of a 45-page report by Scale2Save that looks at how younger sections of the population in three African countries manage their income, expenditure, and savings.
Nov 28, 2019
It has been a very busy, productive and rewarding year for the European Microfinance Platform, with new initiatives and innovations on various fronts. We're delighted to share with you in this annual report of activities our many activities and achievements. Read all about our events, partnerships, sector engagement and knowledge exchange.
Nov 26, 2019
Relive the European Microfinance Week ( #emw2019 ) plenary sessions on 'Strengthening resilience to climate change through financial inclusion'; 'Protecting the working poor in the 21st Century through responsible finance' and 'Responsible client choices in finance: Whose responsibility is it?' in the videos:
Nov 26, 2019
Many thanks to our media partners and the Luxembourg press for the excellent coverage of EMW 2019
Nov 25, 2019
European Microfinance Week (#EMW2019), organised by the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP), concluded Friday in Luxembourg with an urgent call to action on climate change, and a debate on the limits of client choice, entitled ‘Responsible client choices in finance: whose responsibility is it?
Nov 22, 2019
At a ceremony held at the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg, Paulette Lenert, Luxembourg Minister for Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, presented the 10th European Microfinance Award to APA Insurance Ltd of Kenya.
Nov 17, 2019
Facts and figures tell us the full story of financial and social results and allow us to compare that story to those of our peers. The ATLAS data platform is a new initiative to help tell those stories, consolidating data on pricing, client protection, and social and financial performance. Read the FinDev Gateway blog.
Nov 07, 2019
As a proud co-organiser of the EUR 100,000 European Microfinance Award (EMA), e-MFP leverages European Microfinance Week to spot-light the theme of the Award each year. With EMA 2019 focused on Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change, the many ways that financial inclusion stakeholders are helping vulnerable populations adapt to climate change are at the forefront of the European Micro­finance Week programme. If your work involves addressing climate change through financial inclusion, #EMW2019 is not to be missed!
Oct 30, 2019
Montpellier Business School, the French National Research Institute for Development (IRD) and the University Paris Dauphine, in cooperation with e-MFP and CERMI, organised the 6th European Research Conference on Microfinance from 3rd to 5th June 2019 in Paris
Oct 21, 2019
BlueOrchard has released a new study on climate finance. The study, compiled in cooperation with the FINEXUS Center for Financial Networks and Sustainability of the University of Zurich, discusses climate-related risks and their impact, especially on less-developed countries as well as potential economic losses in the financial system.
Oct 14, 2019
Our Autumn 2019 Newsletter is now out with: The three finalists of the €100,000 European Microfinance Award; our special supplement 'e-MFP Members' Spotlight on Climate Change'; a preview of what's in store at European Microfinance Week 2019; a look at the new publication 'A Research Agenda for Financial Inclusion and Microfinance' and an article Pragmatic Partnerships for Digital: Advice from the Field; we welcome our new member University of Paris-Dauphine plus all the latest news and activities from e-MFP and its members complete the edition.
Oct 08, 2019
Launched in 2013 by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the “Take-off Facility for agricultural and rural microfinance in Africa” (African Facility) aims to support microfinance institutions in sub-Saharan Africa. After a successful first phase (2013-2016), with 16 funded partners and € 6 million in disbursed loans, the second phase of the program will support 25 rural microfinance institutions.
Oct 03, 2019
In anticipation of European Microfinance Week, happening 20-22 November, our media partner MicroCapital caught up with e-MFP Chairwoman Laura Hemrika of Credit Suisse to see why EMW is the must-attend event of the financial inclusion sector this Autumn.
Oct 01, 2019
As technology transforms the world, microfinance institutions grapple with fundamental questions on how to adapt, what strategies to pursue, and how to best equip themselves to successfully digitize. FinDev Gateway explores all these aspects of digital transformation in a series of three webinars.
Sep 22, 2019
On the 19th of September, the Selection Committee for the European Microfinance Award 2019 “Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change” chose the three finalists who will go on to compete for the €100,000 prize: APA, ASKI, and FDL. Through the initiatives these outstanding organisations have put in place to increase vulnerable populations’ resilience to climate change, they demonstrate the innovation and dynamism of this most critical area of financial inclusion.
Sep 19, 2019
e-MFP is a proud partner and contributor of the 2019 Microfinance Barometer which to mark its 10th anniversary, looks back on the evolution of financial inclusion around the world. Read e-MFP's article "(Micro)finance for Resilience: Helping Clients Adapt to Climate Change" on page 14!
Sep 17, 2019
Registration for #EMW2019 is now open - don't miss your opportunity to engage with 500 top industry professionals, hear presentations on the latest developments in the financial inclusion sector, and attend the ceremony for the European Microfinance Award!
Sep 13, 2019
On 6 September 2019 the Ministry of Finance of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg signed a letter of understanding (LOU) with the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) to launch a new multi-donor collaboration framework that will help bolster financial inclusion across the African continent.
Sep 02, 2019
The second annual e-MFP survey of financial inclusion trends is now open (and in 3 languages this year!), and the results will be published in the 'Financial Inclusion Compass 2019' in November. We hope you’ll take the time to participate, and feel free to either forward to contacts who we should hear from, or promote it on your own platforms.
Aug 31, 2019
The first edition of the LuxFLAG Sustainable Investment Week (#LSIW19) organised by LuxFLAG will be held from 22 to 24 October 2019. A wide range of topics such as Climate Finance, ESG, Impact Investing, Sustainable Development Goals will be covered during fifteen standalone events at various locations around Luxembourg.
Aug 22, 2019
Women’s World Banking will hold the next edition of the 'Making Finance Work for Women' Summit in Singapore on October 22-23, 2019, at the Pan Pacific Hotel.
Aug 05, 2019
Join e-MFP at the 12th edition of the Convergences World Forum which will take place on September 5th & 6th at the Palais Brongniart in Paris. More than 5,000 attendees and speakers from the business, solidarity, government, academic and media will gather to share ideas and build solutions around the theme "Inequalities – Transitions - Solutions".
Aug 01, 2019
Research on the impact of financial services on the lives of low-income people provides valuable insights. However, these studies tend to focus on microcredit or a single financial product, such as savings or mobile money. As a result, an overly simplistic and product-focused story has emerged. Recognizing the need for a more nuanced and clearer impact narrative, this CGAP Focus Note 'Emerging Evidence on Financial Inclusion' synthesizes evidence since 2014 and highlights three overarching insights
Jul 16, 2019
The 5th Edition of the Rural and Agricultural Finance Program (RAFP) in English will be held from 22 July 22 to 2 August 2019 in Turin, Italy and will bring together rural and agricultural finance specialists from around the world representing MFIs, Rural Banks, Central Banks, Ministries of Finance and Agriculture, Donor Agencies, Investors, Development Agencies, and more.
Jul 05, 2019
Our Summer 2019 Newsletter is now out with: update on the European Microfinance Award 2019 on 'Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change'; Highlights from our Offsite Session event in London on 'Financial Inclusion through Technology'; A look at the 6th European Research Conference on Microfinance held, 3rd - 5th June, in Paris; Article on a New Code for Consumer Protection in the Off-Grid Sector; Update on the SPI4 Audit Guide and take-aways from LuxFLAG's recent seminar on social investments; a warm welcome to our new members Banca Etica and MSC; plus all the latest news and activities from e-MFP and its members complete the edition.
Jul 03, 2019
Join Amarante Consulting and UNCDF, two members of e-MFP for a webinar (English) on "Agency Banking to Reach Customers in Remote Areas" on 05 July 2019 at 13h GMT. The webinar will also happen in French at 14h GMT. This webinar will present the lessons learnt from the implementation of agency banking that was done to financially and economically include the excluded population in Benin by Ecobank. Amarante Consulting will also present the technical and operational prerequisites to implement agency banking in a seamless manner.
Jun 27, 2019
Join e-MFP member for a webinar 'What Digital Products and Services Are Microfinance Clients Ready for?' on 9th July at 11:00 CEST which will present the tools that will help understand clients' digital readiness
Jun 13, 2019
With large numbers of vulnerable refugees fleeing unrest in their countries and settling in refugee camps, providing economic opportunities is essential for communities to survive. On 18 June at 9.00 (UK time), join Martina Crailsheim, Refugee Microfinance Manager of VisionFund International, as she presents the assessment results and business opportunities in West Nile
Jun 12, 2019
e-MFP is delighted to share expertise and insights during two Lab Debates at EDD 2019. Gabriela Erice joins the panel 'Financial Inclusion: A Catalyst for Reducing Inequalities' on June 18th and Daniel Rozas is a panelist on 'A Business Case for Housing Microfinance' session on June 19th. Meet the e-MFP team at EDD 2019!
May 24, 2019
We're delighted to announce our new publication Digital Pathways in Financial Inclusion, which draws on the technology initiatives of the winners and semi-finalists of the 2018 European Microfinance Award on ‘Financial Inclusion through Technology’, paving the way for how advances in technology can be adopted by financial services providers who serve the excluded.
May 23, 2019
The Center for Research on Social Enterprises and Microfinance (CERSEM) at the University of Agder in Norway has launched a new report on the content in the SAVIX database. The database covers 250 thousand groups worldwide. The report shows what savings groups are, how they are structured, how they perform and where they flourish
May 15, 2019
Check out CGAP's new report on "FinTechs and Financial Inclusion: Looking Past the Hype and Exploring Their Potential", plus a separate set of case studies "FinTechs and Financial Inclusion: Lessons Learned"
May 14, 2019
The call for papers for Research Meets Africa is open! June 15th is the deadline to submit research articles on the theme: "The impact and contribution of inclusive finance to the Sustainable Development Goals".
May 10, 2019
16th Consultative Forum on "Climate and disaster risk: building resilience, bridging the protection gap", coorganised by the Microinsurance Network on 12th – 13th June in Johannesburg, South Africa will explore how insurance providers, policymakers, insurance regulators and supervisors can collaborate to reduce the protection gap and help to build resilience in the face of climate risk and natural disasters.
May 09, 2019
The next e-MFP Offsite Session "Financial Inclusion through Technology: A presentation of the takeaways from the European Microfinance Award 2018", takes place on Thursday 23rd May 2019 in London. The event, jointly held by the Financial Inclusion Forum and e-MFP, and once again generously supported by Allen & Overy, will present the background to the 2018 Award and the emerging best practice in this area including through profiles of the finalists and semifinalists' programs, and also present "Digital Pathways in Financial Inclusion" – the upcoming e-MFP paper summarising the 2018 Award.
May 07, 2019
Preparations are underway for European Microfinance Week, 20th - 22nd November 2019 and e-MFP is launching a request for proposals from its members for sessions which will take place during this year's prestigious event. Deadline to submit is 27th May 2019.
May 01, 2019
Our Spring 2019 Newsletter is now out with: update on the European Microfinance Award 2019 on Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change; Details of the upcoming 6th European Research Conference on Microfinance in Paris on 3rd - 5th June; celebration of the 100th anniversary of our member ILO; an article looking at MFIs and their missions based on the study "Do Social Enterprises Walk the Talk? Assessing Microfinance Performances with Mission Statements"; plus all the latest news and activities from e-MFP and its members complete the edition.
Apr 11, 2019
The preliminary application round for the European Microfinance Award 2019 on "Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change" has now closed, and we are delighted to announce that 41 organisations from 27 countries have applied.
Apr 10, 2019
Register now for the 6th European Research Conference on Microfinance with the theme "New Tools, New Actors: Which aims, values and beneficiaries?" taking place 3rd - 5th June, in Paris. The conference is co-organised by the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier Business School and Paris Dauphine University in cooperation with CERMi and the European Microfinance Platform.
Apr 08, 2019
Join e-MFP's Gabriela Erice García together with Philippe Guichandut of the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and Frédéric Mille of Advans International in the upcoming webinar (in French) on 9th April 11-12.30 (Paris time)
Apr 04, 2019
BlueOrchard recently published its Impact Report 2019/2020. This year's report gives a comprehen¬sive overview of BlueOrchard's impact measurement and management expertise, explaining how its impact management know-how and tools have evolved over time to become to¬day's inclusive and holistic practice across multiple asset classes and impact themes, firmly aligned with industry best practices.
Apr 03, 2019
The €100,000 European Microfinance Award 2019 "Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change" is open to all organisations active in the financial inclusion sector that provide products and services to help vulnerable communities become more resilient to the effects of climate change. Deadline is 9th April.
Mar 25, 2019
The Platform for Agricultural Risk Management (PARM), a G7-G20 Initiative, hosted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are launching a series of e-learning courses on Agricultural Risk Management on Thursday 4th of April 2019 in FAO headquarters,
Mar 12, 2019
The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation (GCAF) together with the European Investment Bank (EIB) are organising a conference on April 1st in Paris
Mar 07, 2019
Missed EMW 2018? Catch up now with our conference report which gives extensive coverage of all the sessions
Mar 05, 2019
FinDev's webinar takes place March 12th in which CGAP's Gerhard Coetzee will discuss steps that management teams can take when shifting to a more customer-centric model
Mar 01, 2019
Technology has vast potential to improve lives, and financial inclusion is no exception. Yet with half a million digital borrowers blacklisted on Transunion Credit Reference Bureau in Kenya – many for defaulting on loans of just a few dollars – it’s clear that digital finance also has its downsides.
Mar 01, 2019
Check out the programme for e-MFP member MFC's Annual Conference in Istanbul 29-31, May 2019 - registration is now open
Feb 15, 2019
NpM, Platform for Inclusive Finance and FMO will hold a webinar discussion on 'Technological Innovations to Enable Farmer Finance' on Tuesday, 19 February, at 10:30 AM CET
Feb 08, 2019
Join FinDev and Mix on 14th February for a webinar which aims to provide clarity into inclusive fintech and, specifically, how to determine what makes a fintech "inclusive
Feb 05, 2019
Extended abstracts or full papers (if available) submission deadline is 15th of February 2019.
Feb 04, 2019
Mark your calendar and join us for European Microfinance Week in Luxembourg, 20th - 22nd November.
Jan 24, 2019
Participate in the first Microvision training, 18 - 22 March! Microfact is a joint initiative of e-MFP members ADA and BRS to strengthen the financial and social performance capacities of microfinance and microinsurance institutions. To do this, Microfact offers a set of tools and will soon launch its new Microvision tool, which will allow MFIs to develop five-year financial projections.
Jan 21, 2019
Read how the winner and finalists of the European Microfinance Award 2018 on Financial Inclusion through Technology have creatively used technology to improve the quality and efficiency of their services. This new brochure presents the background on the Award, outlines the selection process, the Award ceremony and showcases the Award winner (Advans Côte d'Ivoire, Ivory Coast) and the two finalists (ESAF Small Finance Bank, India and KMF, Kazakhstan).
Jan 16, 2019
Our Winter 2018/2019 Newsletter is now out with: some of the EMW highlights and the European Microfinance Award ceremony; Spotlight on Advans Côte d'Ivoire, winner of the 2018 Award; an article on blended finance by BlueOrchard; update on 10 years of Grameen Credit Agricole Foundation, a look at the upcoming European Research Conference on Microfinance in June 2019, plus all the latest news, publications and activities from e-MFP and its members complete the edition.
Jan 14, 2019
NpM, Platform for Inclusive Finance (NpM), commissioned a study on suitable agri-finance products for female farmers in Vietnam as part of a broader study on the promotion of women entrepreneurship in agriculture through access to finance. This paper presents the results of the study aimed to analyse if and how women encounter constraints to effectively access financial services in agriculture and if they benefit effectively from accompanying non-financial services.
Jan 14, 2019
Registrations for the March 2019 intake of the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management development finance certification courses are open. New courses on Digital Finance, Agricultural Finance, Sustainable Finance and Blockchain!
Dec 19, 2018
At this year's European Microfinance Week, Faisal Abdul Wahab participated in the panel called "Fintegration: Innovation Meets Legacy Systems." FinDev Gateway caught up with him afterwards to learn more about fintegration and how his company helps MFIs on their path to digitization.
Dec 18, 2018
Advans Côte d’Ivoire has won this year’s European Microfinance Award, focused on “Financial Inclusion through Technology,” for its innovative digital savings and credit solution for cocoa farmers. Albert Sie Dah, Farm Operations Manager, sat down with FinDev to share more about their work.
Dec 06, 2018
Through its Rural Finance Partnership technical assistance program, Incofin IM is supporting two local microfinance institutions (MFIs) – Fundenuse and Micrédito – to implement the first ever meso-model agricultural index insurance product in Nicaragua.
Dec 04, 2018
Being present online is a must for microfinance institutions nowadays. However, a big question is how to do it effectively, so that the institution is visible to the customers they want to attract. This webinar organised by MFC, will present the ways MFIs can improve their visibility and positioning in the digital space in a cost effective way taking into account preferences of their clients and the digital capacity of MFI staff.
Dec 04, 2018
The European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) is looking for a consultant to support the European Microfinance Award 2019 on climate change resilience, which is intended to highlight how the financial inclusion sector can help vulnerable populations adapt to climate change threats.
Nov 30, 2018
Thanks to the more than 450 participants from 69 countries who gathered at EMW 2018! See what made it special in our photo galleries.
Nov 28, 2018
Relive the European Microfinance Week plenary sessions on 'Financial Inclusion through Technology', 'Where next for microfinance: a view from The Founders' and 'Is there room left for the 'little guy'?: a debate on the relevance of Tier 2 & 3 MFIs' in the videos out now.
Nov 27, 2018
The MFC Annual Conference 2019 will be held from 29–31 May 2019 in Istanbul, Turkey
Nov 26, 2018
The European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) has today launched the Financial Inclusion Compass 2018 – its new paper on emerging short, medium and long-term trends in the financial inclusion sector, based on a survey of e-MFP members and key industry stakeholders.
Nov 21, 2018
It has been a very busy, productive and rewarding year for the European Microfinance Platform, with new initiatives and innovations on various fronts. We're delighted to share with you in this annual report of activities our many activities and achievements. Read all about our events, partnerships, sector engagement and knowledge exchange. We'd like to thank all the e-MFP members, the e-MFP Board, our sponsors and funders, without all of whom none of this would be possible.
Nov 20, 2018
Many thanks to our media partners MicroCapital, FinDev Gateway, Le Portail FinDev, Accion and NextBillion for the excellent coverage of EMW 2018
Nov 19, 2018
European Microfinance Week (#EMW2018), organised by the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP), concluded Friday in Luxembourg, with an 'Oxford-style' plenary debate on the future relevance of Tier 2 & 3 MFIs, with Maria-Teresa Zappia from BlueOrchard Finance, Alex Silva from OMTRIX, Kaspar Wansleben from Luxembourg Microfinance Development Fund, and consultant Maude Massu debating the motion "This House Believes There's No Room Left for the Little Guy".
Nov 17, 2018
The €100,000 prize, awarded for the 9th time by the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, was given this year to Advans Côte d’Ivoire (CI) at a ceremony hosted by the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg.
Nov 15, 2018
The European Microfinance Week (#emw2018) conference was formally opened today in Luxembourg, hosted by the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP). A member-driven conference supported by the Luxembourg government, EMW continues to grow as one of the most important annual events in the financial inclusion sector, bringing together all branches of the industry, including e-MFP’s own members, to discuss trends, innovations, challenges and opportunities in inclusive finance in developing countries.
Nov 12, 2018
Can’t make it to European Microfinance Week? Don’t worry – you can watch our plenaries livestream on the e-MFP Facebook page. Mark your calendar and tune in!
Nov 09, 2018
Geospatial information technologies are available for smallholder farmers to boost agricultural production, however the link to finance is hardly ever made. In order to increase their yields, smallholder farmers need finance to buy inputs and fertilizers, to invest in storage facilities, among other things. The NpM Innovator’s Challenge incentivized technology companies to transform their geodata-based solutions for smallholder farmers and make them available for the financial sector.
Nov 09, 2018
e-MFP together with the Social Performance Task Force (SPTF), is delighted to publish a study entitled "Assessment of the Sustainable Performance of SME Finance Service Providers". The study was drafted by Lucia Spaggiari, MFR, in collaboration with the e-MFP Investor Action Group and the Social Performance Task Force (SPTF) Social Investors Working Group and findings will be presented during European Microfinance Week.
Nov 09, 2018
Mobility is an important requirement for the economic development of a country, especially for rural regions. In Myanmar, for example, two thirds of all working persons live in the countryside. In order to improve mobility in the country, DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, AgRIF – an impact focused fund which provides funding to financial intermediaries targeting smallholder farmers and rural population, managed by Incofin Investment Management and Daiwa PI Partners Co. Ltd. are investing into the firm Rent2Own, which makes motorcycles available in Myanmar. DEG, AgRIF and Daiwa PI Partners are supporting the growth of the company with equity to the amount of up to 9 million US dollars.
Nov 08, 2018
The Making Microfinance Investment Responsible (MIR) Action Group has published "The Universal Standards for Social Performance Management – Where do we go from here? " just in time for EMW! The new brief distills lessons from five years of promoting the Universal Standards as a framework for responsible microfinance by drawing on interviews and surveys with financial service providers, SPI4 social auditors, national networks, and investors from around the world.
Nov 07, 2018
Crowdfunding is gaining in worldwide popularity. Some crowdfunding platforms specialize in impact investments. Who is crowdfunding for financial inclusion? Who is the crowd of these platforms and what deals do they fund? As part of this year’s European Microfinance Week, Marloes Noppen will participate in a panel on crowdfunding, together with representatives from Babyloan, Lendahand, LITA.co and Mekar. FinDev Gateway sat down with her ahead of this event to get a preview of some of the issues which will be discussed.
Oct 24, 2018
In the run up to European Microfinance Week, our media partner FinDev Gateway has published a blog from Hannah Seidek on the upcoming panel she is moderating "Go Big by Going Small: Serving the Needs of Smallholder Farmers".
Oct 24, 2018
The ADA Chair in Financial Law at the University of Luxembourg, Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance, is organising a conference on inclusive and sustainable financial research in Luxembourg on the eve of the European Microfinance Week, on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. All participants of the European Microfinance Week as well as all audiences interested in inclusive and sustainable finance are invited.
Oct 19, 2018
Leading impact investment manager Incofin Investment Management (Incofin IM) is pleased to announce the MXN 188 million (USD 10 million) investment in Financiamiento Progresemos, S.A. de C.V. SOFOM ENR (Progresemos), a leading rural Mexican non-bank financial institution serving micro and small entrepreneurs.
Oct 16, 2018
With the publication of the 2017 Global Findex database, we now have 9 years’ of trend data on financial inclusion. What have been the largest gains? What are the persistent gaps? Where should stakeholders working in financial inclusion focus their energies going forward? Join us in Paris on 29th October for this session co-organised by the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) and BNP Paribas.
Oct 16, 2018
The Microfinance Centre (MFC) and the European Microfinance Network (EMN) organised their joint Annual Conference, in partnership with Seed Capital Bizkaia Micro, from 3-5 October 2018 in Bilbao, Spain. Focused on the implications of the digital revolution on financial and social inclusion, the event gathered about 650 participants – including representatives from European institutions, investors, microfinance institutions, NGOs and fintech experts – from 44 countries (East and West Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus and beyond).
Oct 10, 2018
We are pleased to announce that the 6th European Research Conference on Microfinance will take place on June 3-5, 2019 at the Paris Dauphine University, France. This event is co-organised by the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier Business School and Paris Dauphine University in cooperation with the European Microfinance Platform.
Oct 05, 2018
Our Autumn 2018 Newsletter is now out with: The three finalists of the €100,000 European Microfinance Award; Spotlight on e-MFP members and Financial Inclusion through Technology; Update on European Microfinance Week 2018; News from the Secretariat; articles on FinTech for Financial Inclusion: A framework for Digital Financial Transformation and Finance for Refugees: How do make it work plus all the latest news and activities from e-MFP and its members complete the edition.
Sep 30, 2018
Registration is open for European Microfinance Week taking place 14th - 16th November, in Luxembourg. Every year e-MFP's top event gathers close to 500 professionals from all over the globe and offers excellent networking opportunities and the chance to learn from your peers.
Sep 24, 2018
On the 20th of September, the Selection Committee for the European Microfinance Award 2018 on “Financial Inclusion through Technology” chose the three finalists who will go on to compete for the €100,000 prize: Advans Côte d'Ivoire, ESAF Small Finance Bank of India, and KMF of Kazakhstan.
Sep 21, 2018
The Funder Survey, which is driven by the participation of several funders, has become a reference for transparency and accountability. As CGAP marks the 10th anniversary of this initiative, the team would like to hear your thoughts on how the insights available from the Funder Survey can be improved.
Sep 11, 2018
'Finance for Refugees: The State of Play' provides an overview of the global potential market scope of refugees as well as a review of the sector's progress in the past few years. Remaining barriers are briefly described, including policy clarity, relevant information, legal barriers and funding.
Sep 10, 2018
Building on the successful event celebrating Luxembourg's Impact Ecosystem last summer, the Luxembourg Microfinance and Development Fund (LMDF) in partnership with the Ville de Luxembourg (VdL) will once again turn the spotlight on where business/finance converges with social/environmental.
Sep 04, 2018
Shareholders in AMK, one of Cambodia's largest deposit-taking microfinance institutions, have confirmed the sale of 80.01% of the Company's shares to SCSB. Current shareholders, Rural Impulse Fund II, Proparco, and the Cambodian Laos Development Fund (CLDF) have exited their shareholdings completely, while current majority shareholder, Agora Microfinance has divested part of its shareholding.
Sep 03, 2018
The 2018 Microfinance Barometer will be released on 3rd September. Entitled 'Microfinance and Profitabilites', this 9th edition presents the key figures of the sector and explores the topic of profitability in its multiple aspects.
Aug 27, 2018
Join e-MFP at the 11th edition of the Convergences World Forum taking place on September 3rd & 4th at the Palais Brongniart in Paris. More than 5,000 attendees and speakers from the business, solidarity, government, academic and media will gather to share ideas and build solutions around the theme “Make Society, Make Tomorrow”. See us at the launch of the 2018 Microfinance Barometer.
Aug 24, 2018
Digital financial services (DFS) are spearheading greater financial inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa, with 338 million registered accounts in 2017 and a significant boost in penetration from 12 percent to 21 percent between 2014 and 2017.
Aug 23, 2018
"Finance for All: Wedded to Fintech for Better or Worse", examines risks (or banana skins) in the provision of financial services to people in emerging markets who have little or no access to these services. Based on a survey of over 300 practitioners and close observers of the industry in 70 countries, the report finds that new technology is delivering considerable benefits to the financial inclusion market – but is also creating new risks that service providers need to manage if they are to succeed.
Aug 20, 2018
VisionFund International has released its Annual Report for the financial year ending 30 September 2017 registering strong growth and impact. With a gross loan portfolio of $601 million, representing growth of 18% year on year, VisionFund’s micro loans, financial services, expert advice and training helped more than 1.2 million entrepreneurial clients grow or improve their fledgling businesses to provide their families with nutritious food, health care, education and improved shelter. During 2017, more than 4.4 million children were positively impacted through this work.
Aug 08, 2018
The "Finance for Refugees; making it work" conference will take place 7th September in The Hague and brings together the donor and the investor community and provides them a platform to discuss this critical issue and work towards sustainable solutions for refugees.
Aug 03, 2018
The European Microfinance Network (EMN) is seeking to recruit one (1) consultant to coordinate and carry out research activities in the framework of a project on the financial health of micro-entrepreneurs. Deadline Monday 20 August 2018.
Aug 01, 2018
RIM and PRMIA announce the RIM Institution Assessment Training for Independent Assessors taking place Sept. 26 – 28 in Luxembourg. This is an in-depth, 3-day training program designed for risk management experts, consultants, and consulting firms serving the microfinance industry.
Jul 31, 2018
Once again, Frankfurt School is offering development finance online courses starting on September 1st. Choose one of the 11 Certified Expert courses on Microfinance, Risk Management, Climate & Renewable Energy Finance, including two new courses on Digital Finance and Agricultural Finance.
Jul 26, 2018
VisionFund is looking for an experienced insurance professional who has the drive to build a business and a heart to serve the poor.
Jul 19, 2018
The Microfinance Centre (MFC) and the European Microfinance Network (EMN) are organising a joint annual conference “People and the Digital Revolution: Advancing Our Social Mission through Technology”, on 3-5 October in Bilbao, Spain.
Jul 16, 2018
ILO's Impact Insurance Academy, 10th – 14th September 2018 in Turin, Italy is a unique opportunity to learn from the ten years of experience and innovations in inclusive insurance facilitated by the ILO's Impact Insurance Facility
Jul 12, 2018
Social impact investor Oikocredit continues to surpass the sector average for outreach to female microfinance clients, according to indicators published today in Oikocredit's Social and Environmental Performance Report 2017. In 2017 almost 90% of clients reached by the microfinance organisations in which Oikocredit invests are women. This compares to an average of 70% for the sector as reported in the latest Symbiotics MIV Survey, which presents sector data for 2016.
Jul 03, 2018
Today, e-MFP is pleased to have launched its inaugural Survey of Financial Inclusion Trends, giving e-MFP members, opinion leaders and sector stakeholders the chance to score and comment on the importance and direction of particular financial inclusion trends, as well as to express any opinions on what they think - or hope - will be the future of the sector.
Jul 02, 2018
Our Summer 2018 Newsletter is now out with: Update on the call for applications for the €100,000 European Microfinance Award on Financial Inclusion Through Technology; Past Awards revisited; Offsite Session - our joint event with the Financial Inclusion Forum UK; Preparations for the European Microfinance Week 2018; What Role can Microfinance Play in Increasing Access to Affordable Clean Energy?; Focus on the Responsible Inclusive Finance Faciilty in Southeast Asia (RIFF-SEA); 100 Smart Certifications - a Milestone for Responsible Inclusive Finance; a look at the new study 'Critical Capital for African Agri-food SMEs'
Jun 27, 2018
The Professional Risk Managers' International Association (PRMIA) and The Risk Management Initiative in Microfinance (RIM) today announce their merger to meet the growing needs of the risk management community and elevate their mission to set standards and serve the risk management profession.
Jun 22, 2018
This report examines how new types of data and new data tools offer an unprecedented opportunity for financial service providers to better understand and serve clients, especially credit-seeking "thin-file" clients who are otherwise excluded from the formal financial sector
Jun 15, 2018
ILO’s Impact Insurance Academy, 10th – 14th September 2018 in Turin Italy is a unique opportunity to learn from the ten years of experience and innovations in inclusive insurance facilitated by the ILO’s Impact Insurance Facility.
Jun 07, 2018
The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) today published the eighth edition of its Annual Impact Investor Survey, the most comprehensive collection and assessment of data on the global impact investing market. Respondents collectively manage over USD 228 billion in impact investing assets, a figure which serves as the latest best-available ‘floor’ for the size of the impact investing market.
Jun 05, 2018
When it comes to microfinance, people may automatically think of loans going towards businesses, yet, microfinance can also be used to support housing. Globally, people at the bottom spend around US $700 billion on housing. Lending in this sector is a relatively new area, starting out five years ago, and currently over 20 percent of micro-loans are used on housing. Although there has been an increase in demand for loans in this sector, it remains a niche.
Jun 01, 2018
The application period for the European Microfinance Award 2018 on Financial Inclusion through Technology has now closed. Thank you to the 27 institutions from 22 countries, representing nearly every geographical region, who have applied.
May 31, 2018
Preparations are underway for European Microfinance Week, 14th - 16th November 2018 and e-MFP is launching a request for proposals from its members for sessions which will take place during this year's prestigious event.
May 30, 2018
With €49.3 million granted in 2017, the Foundation expanded its activities to 32 countries. It supported 69 microfinance institutions and social businesses who accompany 3.2 million clients, of which 77% are women and 75% live in rural areas.
May 23, 2018
The next SPTF Social Investor Working Group meeting will take place in Luxembourg on June 18-19, 2018 and will be hosted by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MAEE) in partnership with the Inclusive Finance Network Luxembourg (InFiNe.lu). This meeting is open to investors only.
May 22, 2018
A report that provides a framework to microfinance investors seeking a responsible exit reveals that financial offers have a greater influence on decisions than social goals.Entitled Caveat Venditor: Towards a Conceptual Framework for Buyer Selection in Responsible Microfinance Exits, the report, written by microfinance experts Sam Mendelson and Daniel Rozas, shows only a minority of investors hold the congruence of a buyer’s offer with a seller’s social mission as crucial to deciding whether or when to exit a project
May 18, 2018
In 2017 ILO intensified its engagement with policy-makers and financial institutions - banks and credit unions, insurance companies and investment funds - to contribute to decent work through sustainable and equitable economic growth.
May 14, 2018
The 44th Midi de la Microfinance becomes the Midi de la Microassurance (Microinsurance) with international experts invited to discuss the innovations in Nicaragua and the Philippines regarding the development of these essential services to protect the microfinance clients
May 14, 2018
Join this webinar to hear from experts at FSD Africa, Kenya Commercial Bank and CGAP's Gateway Academy on how to strengthen the value proposition of digital learning sector-wide.
May 07, 2018
MicroCapital: Each year, the European Microfinance Award covers a different theme. Why technology and why now? Christoph Pausch: We are at a fascinating time in the evolution of financial inclusion. A whole new range of technology-enabled solutions has the potential to reduce costs, improve efficiencies, facilitate com­munication and remove artificial borders for people who have been excluded from the formal economy. These solutions include credit, insurance, savings, payments and transfer services. As a strengthening alternative to cash, mobile money can have special benefits for women, rural communities and the very poor. Among the Award applicants, we hope and expect to see a real diversity of financial services providers beyond traditional MFIs, such as mobile network operators and money transfer organisations.
May 02, 2018
"Caveat Venditor: Towards a Conceptual Framework for Buyer Selection in Responsible Microfinance Exits" - new research commissioned by NpM, in partnership with the e-MFP Investor Action Group and the Financial Inclusion Equity Council (FIEC). This new paper written by Sam Mendelson and Daniel Rozas goes beyond raising questions, and seeks to provide a template to help investors navigate the complex terrain of "responsible exits."
Apr 24, 2018
See why applying for the European Microfinance Award is a good idea in our video below. This prestigious annual award with €100,000 for the winner attracts applications from financial service providers around the world that are innovating in a particular area of financial inclusion.
Apr 23, 2018
Financial inclusion is on the rise globally, accelerated by mobile phones and the internet, but gains have been uneven across countries. A new World Bank report on the use of financial services also finds that men remain more likely than women to have an account. Globally, 69 percent of adults – 3.8 billion people – now have an account at a bank or mobile money provider, a crucial step in escaping poverty. This is up from 62 percent in 2014 and just 51 percent in 2011. From 2014 to 2017, 515 million adults obtained an account, and 1.2 billion have done so since 2011, according to the Global Findex database.
Apr 23, 2018
There are an estimated 500 million smallholder families - representing about 2 billion people - around the world. Together, they make up one of the largest potential markets for financial services in many developing countries. Yet, reliable data on their financial lives and options is scarce. New tools from CGAP, MIX, One Acre Fund, and i2i shed light on this important client group by putting demand- and supply-side data at your fingertips.
Apr 20, 2018
Our Spring 2018 Newsletter is now out with: Launch of the European Microfinance Award 2018 Financial Inclusion through Technology - details of how to apply for the €100,000 prize; Publication of our latest European Dialogue, Microfinance for Housing: Building New Foundations in Housing Finance; "Microfinance in the Americas from the Point of View of an Investor", an article from our member BNP Paribas; BlueOrchard looks at "SMEs and SDGs: Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals"; Social performance pioneer CERISE celebrates its 20th anniversary; Insights from the recent 2018 SPTF Annual Meeting/Customer Centricity Learning event; Updates from our Action Groups plus all the latest news and activities from e-MFP and its members complete the edition.
Apr 19, 2018
The Sustainable Finance Forum Luxembourg brings together the European sustainable finance community: policy makers, practitioners, public stakeholders and corporate and retail investors. The high-level conference, featuring business and political leaders, will address key regulatory and market challenges, the asset management industry’s role in sustainable investment, as well as how capital markets can contribute to a sustainable low-carbon economy
Apr 13, 2018
The next Offsite Session is a joint event joint event between the Financial Inclusion Forum UK and e-MFP, and is generously hosted by Allen & Overy. The panel discussion will be on access to finance for affordable housing
Apr 12, 2018
'Building New Foundations in Housing Microfinance' draws on the fascinating and diverse housing programmes of the 2017 Award winner and semi-finalists and distills the varied initiatives into seven factors for success.
Mar 22, 2018
Missed EMW 2017? Catch up now with our conference report which gives extensive coverage of all the sessions
Mar 21, 2018
This report highlights some of the central frictions that prevent greater financial inclusion and financial well-being, and associated technological innovations that are fostering creative new approaches to mitigating these frictions for individuals and small businesses globally.
Mar 20, 2018
This Midi will rely on a concrete example of coaching that took place between a financial consultant specialized in risk management with recognized expertise in banking in Europe and worldwide, and a Togolese microfinance institution
Mar 19, 2018
In 2018, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) European Research Conference will be held in The Netherlands. At this conference, scholars, representatives of cooperatives and policy makers will exchange the state of the art on building and strengthening cooperatives in different sectors and different countries.
Mar 15, 2018
On 19th April, InFiNe.lu in association with the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, is holding "The World of SMEs: Investors’ Perspective" - a SMEs finance seminar which will focus on the investors' perspective.
Mar 15, 2018
In an increasingly competitive space, employee development and retention are two key challenges for financial institutions in developing countries. One way they are addressing these challenges is by turning to online learning platforms such as CGAP's Gateway Academy
Mar 13, 2018
Check out CGAP's new research tool for financial services providers who are looking to serve smallholders.
Mar 08, 2018
This week with International Women's Day, there's a lot of discussion on how to serve women clients better. During EMW we took at look at understanding women and their needs within the environment in which they live
Mar 07, 2018
The study from Rabobank Foundation, AgriProFocus, Food & Business Knowledge Platform and ICCO Cooperation, focuses on agrifood SMEs that form the 'missing middle': too large for micro-finance and too small for mainstream banks and private equity firms. A major conclusion is that there are very few investment funds that meet the financing needs of agrifood SMEs.
Mar 02, 2018
The GSMA unveiled its seventh annual 'State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money', offering a current snapshot of the mobile money landscape and highlighting the impact that greater financial inclusion has on lives, economies and innovation. The report provides the only comprehensive picture of mobile money around the globe. Today, with more than 690 million registered accounts in over 90 countries, mobile money has evolved into the leading payment platform for the digital economy in many emerging markets. The report shows that, in 2017, the mobile money industry processed transactions worth a billion dollars a day, generating direct revenues of over $2.4 billion.
Feb 21, 2018
Mark your calendar now and join us for European Microfinance Week in Luxembourg, 14th – 16th November !
Feb 20, 2018
We're excited that the newest MIMOSA findings will be presented first-hand by Daniel Rozas, with input from long-time India microfinance expert Sanjay Sinha and credit data expert Parijat Garg, on 21 and 23 February 2018, in both Bangalore and Mamallapuram.
Feb 20, 2018
This MicroLead case study aims to highlight experiences of integrating client protection principles – the minimum standards microfinance clients should expect – into the initial design and roll-out of a digital savings product designed for savings groups
Feb 16, 2018
Meet e-MFP at the Customer Centricity Learning Event and SPTF Annual Meeting in Mamallapuram, India, February 19 - 22, 2018. This year's learning event - entitled Customer Centricity: Enabling Financial Choices and Positive Outcomes for Low-Income Customers - is an event jointly organized by SPTF, CGAP, Dvara and LeapFrog Investments
Feb 15, 2018
Registration is now open for the 2018 Boulder MFT - with more than 30 courses offered by world-renowned experts in English and French, the Boulder MFT is considered an industry standard in microfinance training.
Feb 13, 2018
Once again, Frankfurt School is offering development finance online courses starting on March 1st. Choose one of the 10 Certified Expert courses on Microfinance, Risk Management, Climate & Renewable Energy Finance, and more
Jan 31, 2018
The Cooperativa de Ahorro y Préstamo Tosepantomin, which means "everyone's money" in Nahuatl, won the European Microfinance Award 2017 for its support to marginalized rural communities through housing construction projects, which include savings products, mortgages, and technical assistance. Álvaro Aguilar Ayón, Chair of the cooperative's Board of Directors, spoke with Portal de Microfinanzas about the cooperative's launch, their clients, sustainable housing product development, and the lessons learned along the way.
Jan 30, 2018
'Commercialization of social enterprises: Stemming the tide of mission drift'. Find out how to avoid mission drift when transitioning a social enterprise or microfinance venture into a for-profit organisation
Jan 26, 2018
This new brochure presents the background on the Award, outlines the selection process, the Award ceremony and showcases the Award winner (Cooperative Tosepantomin, Mexico) and the two finalists (Mibanco, Peru and The First MicroFinance Bank – Afghanistan).
Jan 25, 2018
The CAS in Sustainable Finance covers the areas of Sustainable Investing, Sustainable Banking and Insurance, Microfinance, Microinsurance, and Emerging Market Finance. The courses combine academic training and research with current business practices, while promoting technical, methodological and social skills.
Jan 22, 2018
Our Winter Newsletter is out now with: highlights of European Microfinance Week (EMW) and the European Microfinance Award; spotlight on Cooperativa Tosepantomin, winner of the 2017 Award plus an interview with Alavaro Aguilar Ayon from Tosepantomin; an outline of the e-MFP General Meeting of Members with an introduction to our new e-MFP Chair and Board members; an article on the new research center at University of Agder in Norway - CERSEM; a look at Making Microfinance Investment Responsible and EMW 2017 updates from our other Action Groups. All the latest news and activities from e-MFP and its members completes the edition.
Jan 19, 2018
Over 690,000 families totalling up to four million people living in six low-income countries stand to benefit from a new climate insurance programme launched by VisionFund International, World Vision's microfinance arm and Global Parametrics, a new venture funded by the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) and by the InsuResilience Investment Fund, set up by German development bank KfW and managed by Swiss-based impact investment manager BlueOrchard Finance.
Jan 17, 2018
Every two years since 2009, e-MFP organizes the European Research Conference on Microfinance in collaboration with European universities. The Research Conference is a unique event that gathers together high level researchers, academics, professionals and students ensuring that the latest research is disseminated to the whole microfinance community. e-MFP is launching this call for interest to find a host and organiser for the 6th edition of the conference in 2019.
Jan 16, 2018
A report published by GIIN reveals a range of available strategies used by investors to strengthen their ability to exit in a way that meets liquidity objectives while also ensuring sustainable impact.
Jan 10, 2018
e-MFP is looking for a consultant to support the European Microfinance Award 2018 on “Financial Inclusion through Technology”
Jan 08, 2018
How can MFIs reduce interest rates whilst ensuring their sustainability? During this Midi, organised by ADA and InFiNe.lu, the audience will have the chance to hear and interact with experts coming both from the regulatory and the MFI sectors, from Africa and Latin America.
Jan 02, 2018
In case you missed the session at EMW 2017, catch up with the video of "Financial Inclusion Regulation: Challenges for Emerging Market Economies and Developing Countries"
Dec 22, 2017
Critics have landed plenty of punches over the long years of debate around microfinance's true impact on the poor. But to my mind, the industry's best response to these critiques has been to point to its singular success: Microfinance is "the only social innovation to: (1) reach global scale, (2) build a complete industry infrastructure, (3) tap into commercial capital on multiple continents, and (4) 'produce enough profit to generate actual controversy over the returns to social investments,'" as Grameen Foundation founder Alex Counts put it (paraphrasing a paper by Financial Access Initiative Managing Director Tim Odgen).
Dec 18, 2017

Over 490 participants from 66 countries gathered at EMW 2017 - see why in our photo galleries:

Dec 18, 2017
If you missed the TED-style session at EMW 2017, here's your chance to catch up on the entertaining session
Dec 15, 2017
During European Microfinance Week our media partner The Gateway sat down with Christoph Pausch e-MFP Executive Secretary, to discuss this year's conference theme: housing finance
Dec 14, 2017
A refugee settling in a new land, a family buying a home, a farmer nurturing her crops — every person has different financial needs — and loans, savings, and payment services should help them solve the challenges in their everyday lives. This year, European Microfinance Week focused on the heart of inclusive finance — understanding and interpreting customer needs.
Dec 13, 2017
Katharine Pulvermacher and Stewart McCulloch spoke at the session, "The transformative role of insurance in African agriculture." In this interview, they provide insights on some of the discussions around this issue and the challenges in scaling up agricultural insurance for smallholder farmers.
Dec 11, 2017
NextBillion's post from Paul DiLeo, Grassroots Capital Management:Last week, I moderated the closing plenary of European Microfinance Week, exploring the question of where microfinance – and MFIs – would be in five or 10 years. Panelists came from different organizations with varying perspectives of the industry
Dec 11, 2017
During the closing day of European Microfinance Week, Imran Matin of the US-based nonprofit Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) stressed the importance of not just whether women will use financial services, but "what account ownership will translate into in terms of achievement." Foreshadowing a theme of the session, he added that "intra-household dynamics is very important and also particularly difficult to measure.
Dec 06, 2017
Many thanks to our media partners MicroCapital, Microfinance Gateway, Le Portail Microfinance, NextBillion, Development Finance and Accion for the excellent coverage of EMW 2017
Dec 04, 2017
European Microfinance Week (#EMW2017), organised by the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP), concluded Friday in Luxembourg, with a provocative plenary that asked where the sector is heading in the next five to ten years. The closing plenary followed two days of workshops and plenaries: one plenary profiling the three finalists of the European Microfinance Award 2017 on Microfinance for Housing and another that sought to critically examine one of the core orthodoxies of microfinance – that outreach to women clients necessary increases women’s empowerment. Entitled “Women clients ≠ women empowerment: beyond the numbers”,
Dec 04, 2017
If you weren't at EMW 2017, or missed the livestream on Facebook, you can catch the exciting plenaries recorded by NextBillion
Dec 01, 2017
The Cooperativa de Ahorro y Préstamo Tosepantomin helps marginalised rural Mexican communities with their residential housing building projects by offering savings and home loan products paired with technical support. The cooperative is also recognised for its promotion of eco-friendly building techniques.
Nov 30, 2017
The European Microfinance Week (#emw2017) conference opened today in Luxembourg, hosted by the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP). A member-driven conference supported by the Luxembourg government, EMW continues to grow as one of the most important annual events in the microfinance industry, bringing together all branches of the microfinance sector, including e-MFP’s own members, to discuss trends, innovations, challenges and opportunities in inclusive finance in developing countries
Nov 23, 2017
Blue Orchard has recently published a new study on SMEs and SDGs exploring how to support small and medium enterprises to achieve the sustainable development goals
Nov 23, 2017
Rural finance is on the agenda during European Microfinance Week. Far from the bustling financial centers of the city, people in rural areas have long been underserved by traditional financial institutions. While this is a problem for all rural residents, the lack of access to financial services is particularly difficult for farmers since it bars them from growing their agricultural businesses. We talked to Jonathan Agwe of IFAD to get his opinions on the challenges that rural clients face in accessing financial services, as well as the solutions to help reach them.
Nov 22, 2017
In the run up to European Microfinance Week our media partner Microfinance Gateway talks with Sandra Prieto from Habitat from Humanity's Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter and Laura Hemrika from Credit Suisse about the upcoming session "Strategic Funding for Housing Microfinance."
Nov 21, 2017
In this interview (in French) with Christoph Pausch, e-MFP, our media partner Le Portail Microfinance takes a look at housing finance - topic of the European Microfinance Award 2017 and a key focus at European Microfinance Week, 29 Nov - 1 Dec
Nov 20, 2017
Are you working in financial inclusion? Don’t miss European Microfinance Week taking place 29 Nov – 1 Dec, in Luxembourg. Every year e-MFP’s top event gathers close to 500 professionals from all over the globe and offers excellent networking opportunities and the chance to learn from your peers.
Nov 07, 2017
In the run up to European Microfinance Week 29 Nov - 1 Dec, our media partner Le Portail Microfinance features an article (in French) by Alexis Lebel, OpenCBS & Jacinta Maiyo, Pamiga on digital finance, one of the many themes explored at EMW 2017
Nov 07, 2017
Kashf Foundation, which is a pioneer in women centric urban microfinance, has undertaken a detailed scoping of women led sectors in the rural economy along with MEDA to create a suite of products and services which can work for rural women in Pakistan. In this talk Zainab will present facets of women centric product development and preliminary outcomes and challenges from the pilot.
Nov 06, 2017
Dutch development bank FMO has agreed to provide a long-term loan of JOD 5 million (approximately USD 7 million) to SME-lender SANADCOM, a spin-off company of Microfund for Women, Jordan's leading privately owned Microfinance institution.
Nov 06, 2017
In anticipation of European Microfinance Week, 29 Nov - 1 Dec, MicroCapital takes a look at one of the upcoming sessions "Investing in MFIs: Importance of Human Resources to Achieve Impact" with Rüdiger Meister, ADG International
Oct 27, 2017
Want to master microinsurance? Starting end of February 2018, Microinsurance Master is a comprehensive 10-week leadership programme in partnership with Pioneer Insurance, ILO's Impact Insurance Facility and MicroInsurance Centre. Participants 'learn by doing' from industry leaders through training and coaching.
Oct 24, 2017
In this Talk, Justin McAuley will detail a product that VisionFund has implemented to automate the application process for loan officers in the field. Drawing on data from over 80 sources, the technology uses an algorithm to create loan terms appropriate to the financial situation of individual clients.
Oct 22, 2017
Economically isolated for decades, Myanmar has only recently opened up to the global community. With this came a lot of discussion about this South East Asian country being the 'last frontier' of financial inclusion. Microfinance legislation was passed in late 2011, but what has happened since? And what does the future look like? As part of Financial Inclusion Week 2017, join speakers from the UNCDF and VisionFund Myanmar to discuss what's next for microfinance in Myanmar
Oct 20, 2017
Today, as our friends and colleagues across the continent mark European Microfinance Day, we would like to offer a view from the South. After all, e-MFP occupies a distinct place – we’re a platform for Europe-based microfinance actors who are specifically focused on working in the South as their core objective. Like an astronomer atop a lonely mountaintop, we find ourselves in the heart of Europe, yet our minds are focused on the world beyond. So what does European microfinance look like when seen from the South? Well, it is a bit like looking at the stars – the light shines bright yet comes from a distant past. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Europe look remarkably similar to the global MFIs of the 80s and 90s -- small, local organizations with a deep focus on lending to micro-enterprises while maintaining basic financial sustainability.
Oct 19, 2017
The unmet demand for finance for housing is massive. Read what some e-MFP members are doing to fill this gap
Oct 18, 2017
In India, energy access is a huge challenge; 80 million households have little or no access to grid electricity due to the lack of grid access in certain geographies. Providing quality, safe and reliable alternatives to kerosene and other traditional fuels means addressing two main challenges: distribution and affordability.
Oct 17, 2017
Veronica Herrera co-founded MiCrédito in 2004 with the support of the Canada-based development association MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates). “Empowering youth is vital to see the change in Nicaragua that we seek” Mrs Herrera says. “I believe education, in addition to microfinance, is a powerful tool to […] empower youth” she adds.
Oct 16, 2017
Join Marina Kortenbusch has she explores the most effective ways to facilitate communication across cultures and nurture communities that support green development. Building on her experience of establishing the BFC Green learning and communication platform, Marina will share insights into building networks, suggestions for tapping into social media, and lessons for the future.
Oct 11, 2017
Our Autumn Newsletter is now out with: The three finalists of the €100,000 European Microfinance Award Great and a look at how e-MFP members are supporting access to housing for low income people; Update on European Microfinance Week 2017; Offsite Sessions - our events in Zurich and Utrecht; The InsuResilience Investment Fund - a Public-Private Partnership; BRS celebrates 25 years; Luxembourg Inclusive Finance Research Conference; plus all the latest news and activities from e-MFP and its members completes the edition.
Oct 03, 2017
In anticipation of European Microfinance Week, 29 Nov - 1 Dec, MicroCapital takes a look at one of the upcoming sessions with Manuel Hörl, Credit Suisse
Oct 02, 2017
The First MicroFinance Bank Afghanistan; Mibanco of Peru; and Cooperative Tosepantomin of Mexico Announced as Finalists for European Microfinance Award on Microfinance for Housing
Sep 29, 2017
The ADA Chair in Financial Law (Inclusive Finance) at the University of Luxembourg, Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance, organizes on the eve of the European Microfinance Week the first Luxembourg Inclusive Finance Research Conference
Sep 28, 2017
Join Ndumiso Mpofu as he describes market solutions which were used to increase the speed of recovery for communities affected by El Nino. Ndumiso will also present a summary of findings from recovery lending in fragile African states from November 2015 to June 2017
Sep 27, 2017
The 3rd European Microfinance Day takes place on 20th October - The aim of this initiative is to raise awareness at European level of the existence and added-value of the microfinance sector in its fight against social exclusion and unemployment
Sep 26, 2017
Symbiotics has just published its 11th annual edition of the Symbiotics Microfinance Investment Vehicles (MIV) Survey. This unique study provides asset managers, investors and academia alike with the latest information of most of the world’s microfinance fund activity in emerging markets
Sep 18, 2017
e-MFP & NpM are holding a one day training for investors on green inclusive finance, prepared and delivered by Enclude BV, organised by the e-MFP Microfinance & Environment Action Group and hosted by NpM.
Sep 14, 2017
Join Microfinance Gateway on September 20th for a webinar featuring a conversation between a researcher from CGAP and a policymaker from the Central Bank of Brazil which will demystify behavioral research and show actionable measures for policymakers working on consumer protection policies
Sep 14, 2017
Rural Outreach and Innovation Talks provide an ideal opportunity to share experience on rural development projects. Each Talk lasts 30 minutes in total, consisting of a 15-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute discussion.
Sep 12, 2017
The Helix Institute of Digital Finance has released a new paper by Mike McCaffery and Annabel Schiff, "Finclusion to Fintech" which is designed to help fintech innovators understand the unique money management strategies used by low-income people in the developing world.
Sep 11, 2017
Over 150 delegates and speakers from more than 30 countries attended the 5th European Research Conference on Microfinance - if you missed the event, catch up on the main highlights in the conference report now out.
Sep 08, 2017
Following the success and positive feedback on previous trainings, e-MFP is holding two new trainings at the upcoming African Microfinance Week (SAM) taking place in Addis Ababa, 9 - 13 October: ' Training for MFIs: The opportunity of Clean, Resilient business: training on green inclusive finance for MFIs', 9th of October & 'Training for investment officers: Due diligence for MFIs venturing into SME finance', 13th of October
Sep 06, 2017
Twice a year BlueOrchard organises thematic breakfast meetings in Zurich and Geneva. The next events will take place on September 27th 2017 in Zurich and September 28th 2017 in Geneva. During these events insights into BlueOrchard’s recent developments and the latest trends in the impact investment space will be provided.
Sep 04, 2017
e-MFP is delighted to partner the 8th Microfinance Barometer released today. Convergences presents, in partnership with the National Federation of French Saving Banks (FNCE), MasterCard Foundation, the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) and Oikocredit, the Microfinance Barometer 2017, Convergences' historical main subject.With 132 million clients and a loan portfolio worth 102 billion dollars, microfinance consolidates its role a key lever for financial inclusion of marginalized populations.
Aug 31, 2017
RIM's Institution Assessment Training for Independent Assessors is an in-depth, 3-day training program designed for risk management experts, consultants, and consulting firms serving the microfinance industry
Aug 22, 2017
The Alternative Finance Forum: Between Fintech and Social Finance, takes place on 5 October 2017 at the Copernicus Conference Centre (Warsaw, Poland). Gathering alternative finance experts, practitioners, policy makers, regulators and researchers, the discussion will explore the opportunities for expanding access, equity and gender balance in support of social and economic progress.
Aug 11, 2017
A special track on “Microfinance” will be included at the FMA 22nd European Conference taking place 13th to 15th June 2018 in Kristiansand, Norway. This is the first time a special track on microfinance is included at a FMA conference and is a unique opportunity to disseminate research among top finance scholars
Aug 02, 2017
Hosted by the e-MFP, SMP and Credit Suisse, this event will address the factors that matter in applying microfinance to ensure adequate, affordable quality education and how to effectively achieve scale in this area of financial inclusion. The panel will introduce the winner and one of the finalists of the 2016 European Microfinance Award which focused on Microfinance and Access to Education. It will also explore the perspective of investors and technical assistance providers who are key in growing the sector responsibly.
Aug 01, 2017
This new report from CFI and IIF examines how partnerships between mainstream financial institutions and fintechs are addressing financial inclusion challenges and expanding access to the formal financial economy for underserved segments of the global population, particularly in emerging markets
Aug 01, 2017
Women’s World Banking is holding its biennial 'Making Finance Work for Women' Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, October 24- 25. The Summit will convene 300 participants in a variety of innovative sessions addressing the most important issues in women’s financial inclusion.
Jul 28, 2017
BlueOrchard's Social Performance Report 2017/2018 highlights the common vision shared with the United Nations in creating a better future and shifting the world onto a sustainable path
Jul 20, 2017
Members of the Council on Smallholder Agricultural Finance (CSAF), which includes several e-MFP members, today announced in their newly published State of the Sector report that they provided $682 million in loans to 765 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during 2016
Jul 18, 2017
Interested in the evolving credit market for agricultural SMEs and the millions of smallholder farmers they represent? Register for the Council on Smallholder Agricultural Finance's "State of the Sector" webinar, which will take place at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) / 4:00 p.m. (CEST) on Wednesday, July 19.
Jul 13, 2017
ADA is an NGO which plays a leading role in the inclusive finance sector in Luxembourg and internationally. ADA is widely recognized for its work supporting the autonomous development of populations which are excluded from traditional financial services.
Jul 13, 2017
Now that three years have passed since CGAP and the Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI) at Accion published “The Art of the Responsible Exit in Microfinance Equity Sales,” this subject deserves a re-visit and perhaps expansion of the paper’s general principles into industry guidelines. As the financial inclusion and impact investment industries mature and grow, so does the issue of how investors committed to advancing financial inclusion can “exit responsibly” from the institutions in which they invest equity
Jul 07, 2017
Our Summer 2017 Newsletter is now out with: Great news on Luxembourg Government's continued support to e-MFP with the signature of a new agreement; Update on the response to call for applications for the €100,000 European Microfinance Award on Microfinance for Housing; Preparations for European Microfinance Week 2017; Offsite Sessions - our events in Paris & London; The Microfinance Industry: Revolution or Footnote? Lessons for the Next Ten Years - reflections form the recent workshop hosted by Lehigh University's Martindale Centre
Jun 21, 2017
Philippe Breul, founder of PHB Development, will teach in the French language sessions of the Boulder Microfinance Training Program, which will be held from 17 July to 4 August 2017 in Turin, Italy. In 2 one-week courses, he will share his experience and strategies in implementing digital finance.
Jun 16, 2017
PAMIGA is implementing a project to support the use of digital finance solutions in partner Microfinance institutions (MFIs), to ensure a sustainable growth in the MFIs selected, by reaching new geographical areas and underserved clients.
Jun 16, 2017
At BSHF we were very interested to learn about the European Microfinance Awards and really keen to hear more about some of the great practice being identified. We have been running the World Habitat Awards since 1985. In searching for and sharing the best examples, we have a lot in common with e-MFP. Our objective is to identify and highlight approaches to housing across the world which make outstanding contributions to people's living conditions. As a minimum we believe everyone should be able to afford their home, have access to basic services, and be free from the threat of eviction or displacement. This might seem like stating the obvious, but it isn't something that can be taken for granted.
Jun 15, 2017
This Midi will be dedicated to the female entrepreneurs of Africa. In Lomé as in Abidjan and Kigali, in an Africa ever more dominated by men, these women’s entrepreneurial task is threefold: they are domestic entrepreneurs first, then entrepreneurs of their future, and finally business entrepreneurs in their own society.
Jun 15, 2017
The European Development Bank (EIB) and the Global Development Network (GDN) are looking to recruit 10 researchers for one year fellowships under a joint programme in applied development finance. The fellows should be nationals of countries in Africa, the Caribbean or Pacific regions
Jun 14, 2017
Congratulations to the winners of the Best PhD Paper Award at the 5th European Research Conference on Microfinance!
Jun 13, 2017
Humanitarian crises pose a formidable development challenge. While the nature and incidences of these crises vary significantly, they affect tens of millions of people, particularly the most vulnerable
Jun 12, 2017
Demographic pressure and the youth bulge in the developing world pose a major employment challenge. This situation is exacerbated by insufficient job creation, scarce formal wage employment opportunities and vulnerability in the workplace. For these reasons, fostering youth entrepreneurship has gained importance in the global and national development policy agenda.
Jun 08, 2017
UGAFODE, one of Uganda's five deposit-taking microfinance institutions (MFIs), is now featured in UNCDF MicroLead's third digital finance toolkit: "Leverage an Existing Agent Network"
Jun 08, 2017
e-MFP is looking for a consultant to conduct a one day training for Investment Officers on ‘Due diligence for MFIs venturing into SME finance’ which will take place on Friday13th of October 2017, in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) in the framework of the African Microfinance Week
Jun 01, 2017
The white papers explores different factors that will contribute to a new investment paradigm over the coming decades, namely demographics, credit markets, and the global internet connectivity.
May 31, 2017
Can the know-how of German cooperatives – particularly in the field of renewable energy – be used for cooperation with our African partners? Can positive experiences with the decentralized energy transition be shared with African partner countries? How can cooperatives, municipalities and other decentralized actors get involved in a common effort with Africa?
May 30, 2017
Convergences and BNP Paribas are holding a morning event (in French) 'Assisting social start-ups' 20th June. This event is aimed at social entrepreneurs who are launching or developing their projects
May 30, 2017
RIM's Institution Assessment Training for Independent Assessors is an in-depth, 3-day training program designed for risk management experts, consultants, and consulting firms serving the microfinance industry
May 26, 2017
Blockchain, Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency. In the financial inclusion community, we have been excited by the potential of new technology and its ability to increase access in the markets we serve. But what is this technology? How will it benefit the poor?
May 24, 2017
The application period for the European Microfinance Award 2017 on Microfinance for Housing has now closed. Thank you to the 37 institutions from 23 countries which applied
May 19, 2017
The GIIN’s 2017 Annual Impact Investor Survey is based on an analysis of the activities of 209 of the world’s leading impact investing organizations. Survey respondents collectively manage nearly USD 114 billion in impact assets
May 18, 2017
Read MicroCapital 's great nterview with Christoph Pausch, e-MFP Executive Secretary on Housing Finance and the 2017 European Microfinance Award on why was housing selected as the theme of this year's European Microfinance Award
May 17, 2017
Preparations are underway for European Microfinance Week, 29th November - 1st December 2017 and e-MFP is launching a request for proposals from its members for sessions which will take place during this year's prestigious event.
May 15, 2017
There's only one week left to apply for the European Microfinance Award 2017 on Microfinance for Housing. The European Microfinance Award is a prestigious €100,000 award which attracts applications from financial institutions around the world that are innovating in a particular area of financial inclusion. Presented annually, it serves two parallel goals: rewarding excellence, and collecting and disseminating the most relevant practices for replication by others.
May 15, 2017
Register now for great webinar on 17 May 2017 9:00 AM ET (U.S.) from Microfinance Gateway and RIM which features a practical methodology and a toolkit for microfinance institutions (MFIs) interested in developing a best practice risk management system
May 11, 2017
Housing plays an important role in household asset building – providing both a place of protection from vulnerabilities as well as a base from which to be economically productive. Even low-income people prioritize investment in improving their living conditions. The base of the pyramid is estimated to spend over $330bn annually on shelter. The question is why we lack financing for housing?
May 08, 2017
Time is running out to register for the 5th European Research Conference on Microfinance - one of the primary meeting places for academic researchers working on microfinance. Organized by the Portsmouth Business School, in cooperation with the European Microfinance Platform and CERMi, the conference will draw together ideas from Europe and beyond which tackle the inclusion problem
May 04, 2017
Deloitte and Mastercard have released a joint report titled ‘Leveraging digital to unlock the base of the pyramid market in Africa’, with focus on the waves of digital innovation in financial services. The report, released during the World Economic Forum on Africa (WEF), reinforces that digital technology is financially empowering more Africans
May 03, 2017
We're delighted to announce that on 2nd May e-MFP signed a new agreement with the Luxembourg Government for the period 2017 – 2021, which guarantees the financial support required for implementing our new Strategic Plan. This firm commitment will enable us to build on our achievements and further develop our activities.
Apr 19, 2017
The Burgundy School of Business will organize the 8th edition of its annual conference “Institutional and Technological Environments of Microfinance” (ITEM) on "financial inclusion" in Dijon, France on 7th and 8th December 2017
Apr 12, 2017
The Global Symposium on Microfinance will be held May 22-23, 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Apr 10, 2017
Our Spring 2017 Newsletter is now out with: Launch of the European Microfinance Award 2017 Microfinance for Housing - details of how to apply for the €100,000 prize
Apr 10, 2017
Drawing on BlueOrchard’s expertise, "Small Money, Big Impact" explains how microfinance works and why. It illustrates through the experience of individuals, facts and figures the worldwide impact of microfinance
Apr 10, 2017
Over the past two decades, Luxembourg has actively supported the development of microfinance and inclusive finance as tools for fostering development and eradicating poverty
Apr 05, 2017
Oikocredit is looking for a Chief Risk Officer (CRO) to join the team in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, to enable risk-informed strategic decision making
Mar 30, 2017
We're delighted to announce the release of the latest European Dialogue entitled Investing in Tomorrow, presenting the outcomes of the European Microfinance Award 2016, on Microfinance and Access to Education
Mar 29, 2017
ADA is pleased to invite you to submit research paper for the conference Research Meets Africa that will take place on 9th of October 2017 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mar 29, 2017
LMDF is looking for an Assistant Investment Manager, who can take responsibility for many of the investment and control processes in the microfinance and other Sub-Funds
Mar 27, 2017
The School of Business and Law at the University of Agder in Norway invites applications for up to seven full-time fixed-term appointments as PhD Research Fellows in International Management, including issues in Microfinance
Mar 21, 2017
The conference is being organised by the University of Portsmouth, UK in cooperation with e-MFP and the Centre for European Research in Microfinance (CERMi) with an overall theme of “Microfinance and Financial Inclusion”
Mar 16, 2017
Join the webinar series on Risk Management for Financial Inclusion hosted by Microfinance Gateway and Risk Management Initiative in Microfinance (RIM) to discuss effective strategies and share practical tools
Mar 15, 2017
InFiNe.lu, in co-operation with VBDO (The Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development) organises a masterclass on investing and climate change to share insights and best-practices and discuss the next steps institutional investors can take on this topic
Mar 14, 2017
We're delighted to announce our Off-site Sessions, a new activity developed under our Strategic Plan 2017-2021 that provides e-MFP with opportunities for more frequent touchpoints with its members and external stakeholders besides the European Microfinance Week.
Mar 10, 2017
Twice a year BlueOrchard organises thematic breakfast meetings in Zurich and Geneva. The next two events will take place on March 29th 2017 in Zurich and March 30th 2017 in Geneva
Mar 03, 2017
Registration is open for the 20th anniversary MFC Annual Conference “Horizon 2037: Fair Finance for All” which takes place 24-26 May 2017, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mar 02, 2017
Missed EMW 2016? Now you can catch up with our conference report which gives extensive coverage of all the sessions
Mar 02, 2017
I could not have been happier when I heard that this year the European Microfinance Platform is focusing on housing microfinance. As a microfinance specialist for the last 21 years—and the last 9 exclusively dedicated to microfinance products for housing—I have witnessed the growth potential of this sub-sector of microfinance, as well as the constraints and limitations to the expansion of housing finance portfolios, amongst which the most important include lack of adequate capital and insufficient knowledge on how to develop differentiated housing finance products. When we hear that: at least 1.6 billion of the global population lives in substandard housing; at least half of the global population—3.5 billion people—currently lives in cities; and 828 million people live in slums (according to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals), both funders and financial institutions alike should take note and pay close attention.
Mar 01, 2017
Cordaid Investment Management B.V. (CIMBV) is the subsidiary of Stichting Cordaid that manages all investments. CIMBV is an Alternative Investment Fund Manager registered at the Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). We combine the unique ability to finance partners with grants, equity and debt instruments in selected countries across three continents. We have EUR 80 million of assets under management, predominantly investments in microfinance institutions (MFI's), small and medium enterprises (SME's) and funds with a social mission. Over 70 investees are being served worldwide
Feb 24, 2017
Climate Finance and the Social Development Goals will be the focus of this year's annual Impact Investing Conference organized by the Association of the Luxembourg Fund Industry (ALFI) in collaboration with the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) and the Luxembourg Fund Labelling Agency LuxFLAG
Feb 15, 2017
ESELA, an international network of law firms, legal experts, academics and others specialising in the law as it relates to social enterprise holds its annual conference on the theme of 'Teaming Up in the Middle: How Business and Not for Profits Jointly Create Social Impact', 28th April in Brussels
Feb 14, 2017
Save the Date for LMDF's event on 8th March 2017, Luxembourg
Feb 13, 2017
A recent report from the Asian Development Bank, Oliver Wyman and Microsave looks at the role that digital finance can play in accelerating financial inclusion, focusing on four Southeast Asian markets – Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Myanmar
Feb 06, 2017
Members of the Council on Smallholder Agricultural Finance (CSAF) announced at their regional meeting that they have formally adopted a set of jointly developed environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. These principles apply across the nine members’ loan portfolios, which in 2015 encompassed $597 million to 672 businesses purchasing crops and providing services to two million smallholder farmers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Feb 03, 2017
Financial Inclusion. Housing. How often have you seen the two concepts appear together? If you think rarely – you’re not alone. Housing finance is that mysterious niche that crops up from time to time, but rarely makes headlines in our sector. And that’s both a conundrum and a shame.
Feb 02, 2017
Cordaid Investment Management B.V. (CIM B.V.) is the subsidiary of Cordaid that manages all investments. CIM B.V. combines the unique ability to finance partners with grants, equity and debt instruments in selected countries across three continents. CIM B.V. has EUR 80 million of assets under management, predominantly investments in microfinance institutions (MFI's) and small and medium enterprise (SME) funds with a social mission and serves over 100 investees worldwide. CIM B.V. is looking for a Compliance Officer (32-36 hours per week)
Feb 01, 2017
Initial Public Offerings in microfinance tend to inspire heated opinions: Does investment boost the industry's growth, or compromise its social focus? NextBillion discussed the topic in a Twitter chat on January 30, 2017
Jan 27, 2017
This new brochure presents the background on the Award, outlines the selection process, the Award ceremony and showcases the Award winner (Kashf Foundation, Pakistan) and the two finalists (Fundación Génesis Empresarial, Guatemala and Opportunity Bank Uganda Limited)
Jan 26, 2017
Listen to the NextBillion podcast and on Monday, Jan. 30, these topics will be discussed in more depth in NextBillion’s first Twitter chat, featuring Kanze, Rozas and Microfinance Transparency founder Chuck Waterfield – join us at 10:00 AM EST at #MFICHAT
Jan 24, 2017
Don't miss Daniel Rozas in NextBillion's inaugural Twitter chat, which will take place at 10:00 AM EST on Jan. 30. You can follow the conversation at #MFICHAT.
Jan 24, 2017
The objective of this assignment is to provide a better understanding of key challenges and obstacles faced by entrepreneurs, notably in accessing adequate finance to grow their businesses, in the following countries: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam
Jan 18, 2017
Take 25.000€ crowdfunded, 150 selected micro entrepreneurs, a Renault 4L car and 2 dreamers. Mix it all and discover an around the world trip supporting micro and small businesses through microcredit! Come and meet the team on 1st March in Luxembourg
Jan 17, 2017
The European Microfinance Programme (EMP) recruitment campaign for academic year 2017-2018 has started. Launched in 2005, the EMP is co-organized by three universities: Université libre de Bruxelles, Université de Mons and Université Paris-Dauphine and five NGO partners: ADA, BRS, CERISE, Positive Planet and SOS Faim. Courses are held in Brussels, on the premises of the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management.
Jan 16, 2017
Check out the e-MFP Winter 2016/2017 Newsletter for highlights of European Microfinance Week (EMW); an interview with Ms. Roshaneh Zafar, Kashf Foundation, winner of the 2016 European Microfinance Award on Microfinance and Access to Education
Jan 13, 2017
NextBillion took the opportunity of European Microfinance Week to talk with Graham Wright, MicroSave about fintech - How can microfinance institutions go about leveraging fintech in their products and practices?
Jan 12, 2017
Microfinance, a lead sector within the larger impact investing spectrum, has gained prominence from development-minded investors over the past decades. Initially, international funding into microfinance was generated largely from donor organizations, including public development agencies and private foundations. As the market gained traction, the role of private capital grew in importance as not only a means for microfinance institutions (MFIs) to reach scale, but also to increase their social outreach beyond what was possible with donor money.
Jan 11, 2017
VisionFund International is hosting an online discussion on 8th February about why the microfinance industry needs to fundamentally alter the way it thinks about insurance
Jan 11, 2017
Following last year's extremely successful event, e-MFP is pleased to announce that European Microfinance Week will take place 29th November - 1st December 2017, in Luxembourg.
Jan 09, 2017
Key issues and policy suggestions for promoting financial inclusion are discussed in this new policy brief from ADB
Dec 22, 2016
Financial Inclusion Forum UK is excited to invite you to what promises to be a stirring and thought provoking evening “Digital Financial Services: Are we realising their full potential?” featuring Graham Wright, Founder of MicroSave and Anant Nautiyal of GSMA hosted by Citi on 19th January in London.
Dec 22, 2016
The 'Guidelines on Outcomes Management for Investors' from e-MFP's Social Performance Outcomes Action Group is one of the top 2016 publications featured in the Microfinance Gateway's 'Year in Review: Top Ten Publications of 2016'.
Dec 20, 2016
The ADA Chair is launching the first edition of its Certificate in Law and Regulation of Inclusive Finance from 16th of 27th january 2017. This two weeks of executive training aims to deepen the students’ specific knowledge and skills in the field of inclusive finance law and regulation, with a focus on developing countries ensuring awareness of the topic of law and regulation in the inclusive finance scene for regulators, intermediaries and other inclusive finance organisations
Dec 15, 2016
The European Microfinance Research Conference is one of the primary meeting places for academic researchers working on microfinance. Since the first conference in Brussels, Belgium, in 2009, and its successors in Groningen, Netherlands (2011), Kristiansand, Norway (2013), and Geneva, Switzerland (2015), the conference has been a unique platform for academics to exchange ideas, build and consolidate networks, give visibility to their projects and to identify gaps and different paths for new research
Dec 15, 2016
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management offers different programmes on Development Finance, which will help you to systematically and successfully develop your qualifications and to build your career while recognizing the social function of education
Dec 14, 2016
Join VisionFund International's next private dinner 'Empowering today's women for the women of tomorrow' with VisionFund International's Social Performance Director, Johanna Ryan, on 31st January in London.
Dec 14, 2016
Together with the the Netherlands Space Office and the Rabobank Foundation, NpM is organising its annual conference on the theme of Geodata for Inclusive Finance and Food
Dec 13, 2016
The market size of investments in the microfinance sector by specialized financing vehicles has increased over five-fold in the last decade. This is one of the many high-level findings coming out of the recently released white paper co-written by Symbiotics and CGAP about the 10-year landscape of microfinance off-shore investments.
Dec 09, 2016
New publication - “How to IPO Successfully and Responsibly—Lessons From Indian Financial Inclusion Institutions”
Dec 09, 2016
SOS Faim's mission is to see a world without hunger, that is fairer, more caring and respectful of the environment, where all peoples can live in dignity, with their basic needs provided for.
Dec 09, 2016
Microfinance Gateway inteviews Kashf Foundation winner of the European Microfinance Award on Microfinance and Access to Education
Dec 06, 2016
Over 450 participants from 58 countries gathered at EMW 2016 - see why in our photo galleries
Dec 04, 2016
Islamic microfinance: A solution to expand financial inclusion? 13th December
Dec 02, 2016
Microfinance conferences have offered a unique experience in recent years. In the world outside the events, the industry has been wracked by extraordinary upheaval. It has lurched from development sector darling to punching bag, as client over-indebtedness grabbed headlines, research cast doubt upon its anti-poverty impact, and skeptics gleefully used these events to call the entire industry into question.
Nov 29, 2016
European Microfinance Week is the highlight of the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) calendar and a major annual event of the microfinance industry, hosting high-level discussions by all sectors of the European microfinance community working in developing countries.The conference each year welcomes among the 400 participants much of the Platform’s membership, now over 120 organisations and individuals. This year’s conference was particularly special, being the tenth anniversary of e-MFP, and a perfect opportunity to reflect on how much has changed in the past decade, and how much there is to expect in the decade ahead.The conference, held over 16th-18th November provided focus to six main streams: green microfinance; investors, donors and funders; rural finance; social performance; and digital innovations and the 2016 European Microfinance Award topic of Access to Education.
Nov 28, 2016
e-MFP is looking for a consultant to support the 8th European Microfinance Award
Nov 25, 2016
MicroCapital reports on the lively debate at the EMW 2016 Closing Plenary, 'Digital finance: Full inclusion or empty promise'
Nov 24, 2016
Development Finance reports on the EMW 2016 session ‘Myanmar, the new Golden Land for microfinance?’
Nov 24, 2016
MicroCapital reports from the EMW 2016 session 'Investing in green inclusive finance: Challenges, opportunities, strategies, the way forward'
Nov 23, 2016
Thanks to our media partners for their excellent coverage of European Microfinance Week (#emw2016)
Nov 23, 2016
MicroCapital reports from the EMW 2016 session 'Myanmar, the new Golden Land for microfinance'
Nov 22, 2016

e-MFP marked its 10th anniversary during EMW which offered a great opportunity to reflect on the achievements so far, and look ahead as well.

Nov 21, 2016
EMW 2016 concluded Friday in Luxembourg, after having brought together over 470 opinion-leaders, top management of banks, funds and other financial institutions, practitioners, academics, analysts, raters and industry commentators to present key innovations, challenges and the work conducted in the previous year by e-MFP’s several dedicated Action Groups
Nov 18, 2016
Thursday, 17th November saw the long-awaited ceremony for the 7th European Microfinance Award which was won by Kashf Foundation of Pakistan
Nov 18, 2016
Islamic microfinance: A solution to expand financial inclusion?
Nov 18, 2016

See NextBilion's live streaming of the #emw2016 Closing Plenary, Digital Finance: Full inclusion or empty promise?

Nov 11, 2016
In advance of European Microfinance Week 16-18 November, Microfinance Gateway talked with Philippe Bruel, PhB Development, moderator of the session 'Data driven microfinance: small bits, big data
Nov 09, 2016
In anticipation of European Microfinance Week, 16 - 18 November, our media partner Responsible Investor posed some questions to Triple Jump
Nov 08, 2016
As part of it's series looking at what's in store at European Microfinance Week, 16-18 November, our media partner MicroCapital talked with Lucia Spaggiari of Microfinanza Rating & Amelia Greenberg of the Social Performance Task Force from e-MFP’s Social Performance Outcomes Action Group
Nov 07, 2016
e-MFP is delighted to announce a new publication, European Dialogue No.10: Guidelines On Outcomes Management For Investors. The Guidelines are the result of the work carried out by the e-MFP Social Performance Outcomes Action Group
Nov 04, 2016
'Digital finance: full inclusion or empty promise?' - one of the great sessions at European Microfinance Week 16-18 Nov. See Graham Wright's interview on Microfinance Gateway:
Nov 02, 2016
In the run up to European Microfinance Week, our media partners have been talking to panellists to see what's in store
Oct 27, 2016
CERMi a multilingual, international research centre based in Belgium, is offering a full time one-year research fellowship on microfinance and SME banking, at the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management (SBS-EM), ULB
Oct 26, 2016
The 2017 SPTF Social Investor Working Group Meeting will take place March 15 & 16 at the University of Zurich, Zurich, hosted by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Swiss Capacity Building Facility (SCBF), and the University of Zürich’s Centre for Microfinance
Oct 25, 2016
Our e-MFP Action Groups are gearing up for European Microfinance Week (EMW) where they'll gather for their annual meetings on 16th November and also share their latest findings in panels they've organised on 17th & 18th November. In anticipation of EMW the Microfinance & Environment Action Group and the Digital Innovations for Financial Empowerment Action Group have released the following publications:
Oct 24, 2016
Led by speakers including Laurie Lee (CEO, CARE International UK) and Josefine Lindänge Gutman (CEO, Hand in Hand International), the conference will explore evidence-based solutions to overcoming the lack of access to capital and training faced by women entrepreneurs in the developing world
Oct 21, 2016
This week marks Financial Inclusion Week. In support of this effort to highlight what Financial Inclusion means for the Platform, e-MFP would like to highlight the work being done in Cambodia by its members and partners, including ADA, BIO, FMO, Incofin, and Proparco, as well as by the MIMOSA Project.
Oct 18, 2016
What does financial inclusion mean for your organisation and what role does your organisation play as a financial inclusion agent?
Oct 13, 2016
CoopEst celebrates its10th anniversary on the 2nd European Microfinance Day in Brussels on October 20th from 6pm to 8pm at Hotel Sofitel Europe.
Oct 11, 2016
Check out the e-MFP Autumn 2016 Newsletter for an update on the 7th European Microfinance Award on Microfinance and Access to Education and the 3 Finalists chosen
Oct 11, 2016
As part of Financial Inclusion Week 2016, on Wednesday 19 October VisionFund International is hosting a webinar about providing Mobile Money to rural microfinance clients.
Oct 10, 2016
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has entered into an agreement with Citi to expand local currency lending to the microfinance sector under the Microfinance Risk Participation and Guarantee Program. Under the agreement, ADB and Citi will together facilitate up to $100 million of local currency loans to microfinance institutions in developing Asia.
Oct 04, 2016

MicroCapital previews one of the exciting plenaries of European Microfinance Week, 'Microfinance and housing, one brick at a time', in an interview with the panellists Rajnish Dhall of Micro Housing Finance Corporation, Mark van Doesburgh of Triple Jump and Daniel Ro

Sep 26, 2016
Fundación Génesis Empresarial, Kashf Foundation, and Opportunity Bank of Uganda Announced as Finalists for 7th European Microfinance Award on Access to Education
Sep 20, 2016
Last week saw two nearly identical financial scandals hit two very different parts of the world. One was the revelation that Wells Fargo, one of the leading US banks, had falsely created some 2 million accounts for customers who never asked for them and were largely unaware of their existence. The other was about banks in India secretly depositing 1 rupee (0.015 euro) into their customer’s accounts.
Sep 13, 2016
The annual Microfinance Barometer which analyses trends in the sector is now available in English. e-MFP is proud to partner the Barometer and has contributed two articles
Sep 05, 2016
For the 5th year running, the 2016 edition of the Positive Economy Forum will be held on September, 13th – 17th, 2016 in Le Havre.
Aug 30, 2016
The Microinsurance Network will hold a workshop "How to optimise distribution in the low-cost insurance environment?", 28th September
Aug 29, 2016
The 9th edition of the Convergences World Forum will take place 5 – 7 September 2016, in Paris. e-MFP is delighted to be the organiser of the session on ‘Microfinance & housing: The role of microfinance in providing access to housing’
Aug 23, 2016
In 2015, through 20 programmes in 10 countries, Entrepreneurs du Monde gave its support to 153,000 men and women in their initiatives to bring their families out of poverty
Aug 05, 2016
The 2016 report assesses these countries’ financial inclusion ecosystems based on four dimensions of financial inclusion: country commitment, mobile capacity, regulatory environment, and adoption of selected traditional and digital financial services
Aug 04, 2016
A lack of data is a significant bottleneck for financial institutions and development organizations. The same is true for knowledge about a targeted sector, especially when working in agriculture and agri-finance
Aug 03, 2016
Tthe CSFI report takes a broader look at financial inclusion and describes the risks in the provision of financial services to people in emerging markets whose access to these services is either limited or non-existent.
Jul 26, 2016
WSBI announced a new partnership with The MasterCard Foundation to help boost financial access and economic development in seven African countries. The Foundation has committed $16 million over 5½ years to enable at least one million people to open accounts at banks in Côte d'Ivoire Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal and Uganda.
Jul 21, 2016
The Better Than Cash Alliance 'Responsible Digital Payments Guidelines' identify eight good practices for engaging with clients who are sending or receiving digital payments and who have previously been financially excluded or underserved
Jul 20, 2016
Rise in loan ticket size and shift of borrower base in favour of urban areas marked a strong rebound in Indian microfinance industry, whose combined gross loan portfolio (GLP) grew 84 per cent to Rs 53,200 crore in FY16 from Rs 28,900 crore in the previous year
Jul 15, 2016
IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience. Learn more about IFAD's activities in their annual report
Jul 14, 2016
MicroCapital features an interview on rural finance with Marina Kortenbusch, Business and Finance Consulting who serves as the Head e-MFP’s Rural Outreach and Innovation (ROI) Action Group and Josien Sluijs, e-MFP board member and Director of the Netherlands’ Platform for Inclusive Finance, which is also a member of the ROI Action Group
Jul 12, 2016
The symposium to be held in May 2017, aims to take stock of the theoretical and professional debates regarding agricultural and rural development, food security, and their reciprocal relations with overall development
Jul 11, 2016
Thin - Filed and No - Filed individuals and emerging SMEs find it difficult to qualify for loans from financial institutions as they do not have previous banking history. Credit bureaus traditionally used the credit history of individuals or financial data of SMEs, such as, balance sheets and bank transactions for credit assessment. However, the traditional procedure is not applicable to previously unbanked individuals and new businesses
Jul 11, 2016
New study from CFI and IIF on banks' significant contribution to expanding financial inclusion
Jul 08, 2016
e-MFP is launching this call for interest to find a host for the 5th edition of the conference. Interested organisations should submit a brief proposal and the deadline for submission is 22 August 2016
Jul 07, 2016
Check out the e-MFP Summer 2016 Newsletter for the latest update on the 7th European Microfinance Award 'Microfinance and Access to Education'; an article on 'Financing Access to Energy' from e-MFP's Microfinance and Environment Action Group
Jul 07, 2016
Alterfin is looking for an Africa Investment Manager to be based in Brussels, Belgium (full time), with frequent travels to Africa. This position involves responsibility for the development and management of loans to MFIs and POs in Africa, through the portfolio management of Alterfin and Fefisol
Jun 24, 2016
Womens World Banking (WWB) announces the release of the digital 2015 annual report which shares their progress toward bringing innovative financial services to women around the world.
Jun 22, 2016
Back in November 2015, a press release briefly made the rounds, announcing that "Opportunity, Inc. . . . has entered into a share purchase agreement to sell six banks serving sub-Saharan Africa to the MyBucks Group, a Luxembourg-based financial technology (fintech) company." This generated some comments on LinkedIn and a blog by consultant Hannah Siedek, who recognized how unusual a deal this was and wondered if she should consider it "a good (or not so good) operation." But aside from this, reaction has been surprisingly muted
Jun 21, 2016
Social investor, Oikocredit, announced its social performance results for 2015. Result highlights include: Investments in low-income countries up 22% to € 132 million, Clients reached through inclusive finance partners up 24% to 46 million
Jun 17, 2016
The Scaling Up REmittances (SURE) 2016 Call for Proposals aims to attract innovative pilot projects and scale up initiatives to support IFAD’s rural transformation agenda
Jun 14, 2016
See MicroCapital's interview with Christoph Pausch, e-MFP, on the 7th European Microfinance Award on Access to Education - why it's important and how can MFIs approach education
Jun 14, 2016
Taking part at the #EDD2016 in Brussels? Join Gabriela Erice, e-MFP, panelist on the 'Technology and innovation in financial inclusion for sustainable development' session, Thursday June 16th
Jun 02, 2016
The application period for the 7th European Microfinance Award on Microfinance and Access to Education has now closed. We'd like to thank all the institutions which applied.
May 30, 2016
The WSBI Annual Meetings "Banking in the 21st Century" will be hosted by the Government Savings Bank, the WSBI member in Thailand.
May 23, 2016
The Department of Banking and Finance at the University of Zurich is pleased to announce its latest executive education program - the Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Sustainable Finance
May 19, 2016
Representatives of ResponsAbility and LMDF funds will present the opportunities and challenges of microfinance investments.
May 19, 2016
The sixth edition of the Annual Impact Investor Survey from the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) is based on an analysis of the activities of 158 of the world’s leading impact investing organizations
May 10, 2016
Peruvian savings banks are taking the plunge into a high-tech initiative designed to boost financial inclusion. Called BIM, short for "Billetera móvil", translated as "Mobile Wallet", the unique national e-wallet system brings together 34 financial institutions – including those savings bank within WSBI member Peruvian Federation of Municipal Savings and Credit Banks (FEPCMAC) under the partnership called "Modelo Peru"
Apr 27, 2016
EIB Stakeholder Engagement Workshop, Monday 6 June 2016, Brussels Wondering how to support professional and social inclusion within the European Union despite public and private investment shortage?
Apr 25, 2016
Registration is open for the 13th EMN Annual Conference with the theme 'Shaping European Microfinance | Who, What and for Whom?'
Apr 21, 2016
Since 2006, the European Microfinance Award (€100,000 prize) has supported innovative thinking in the microfinance sector
Apr 19, 2016
The 9th Edition of the European Dialogue is focused on the 2015 European Microfinance Award, recognising excellence in microfinance in post-disaster/post-conflict areas & fragile states
Apr 18, 2016
The Microinsurance Network is looking for a Microinsurance Expert
Apr 18, 2016
Check out the e-MFP Spring 2016 Newsletter for details of the 7th European Microfinance Award Microfinance and Access to Education
Apr 17, 2016
What opportunities can climate finance offer impact investors after the Paris Cop 21 Agreement to direct all finance towards sustainable, low-emissions, climate-resilient development? How can private investors adhere to this commitment and achieve both environmental and financial return? How can the impact finance industry reach sufficient scale to attract institutional investors while not losing sight of its original mission?
Apr 06, 2016
Preparations are underway for European Microfinance Week, 16th - 18th November 2016 and e-MFP is launching a request for proposals from its members for sessions
Apr 04, 2016
The 2016 European Microfinance Award 'Microfinance and Access to Education' is intended to recognise the role of microfinance in enabling access to education for children and/or skill-training for youth and adults to enhance their employment and self-employment.
Apr 04, 2016
The ILO Impact Insurance Facility and its partners are organizing a public symposium to look into successful models in agriculture insurance, and discuss key issues such as relevance for small-scale farmers and the role of governments to improve equity and sustainability of the schemes.
Mar 30, 2016
The annual SPTF meeting will take place 30 May - 2 June.
Mar 25, 2016
Positive Planet has completed the implementation of the Shea Project Phase 1 (2012-2014), which was reaching more than 15,000 women shea processors through capacity building on best practices of shea processing, microfinance and ICT with the aim of tackling the major issues faced by women shea producers.
Mar 18, 2016
What are the e-MFP Action Groups? How do they contribute to the inclusive finance sector? What are the benefits of being a member?
Mar 16, 2016
e-MFP members Agora Microfinance and VisionFund International help increase the quality and availability of financial services tailored to meet the unique needs of smallholder farmers
Mar 10, 2016
Entrepreneurs du Monde will bring together nine Asian partner organisations to work together in Kolkata, India from 14th - 18th March
Mar 03, 2016
The Advans group is looking for a highly motivated Chief Operating Officer to join its team. This position is a replacement and is based at the Paris office
Mar 01, 2016
IFAD’s multi-donor supported Platform for Agricultural Risk Management (PARM) is organizing a side event in occasion of the 12th CAADP Partnership Platform on “Financing African Agriculture and Implementation Support for accelerated Agriculture Growth and Transformation” held by AU/NEPAD in Accra, from 11 to 15 April 2016
Feb 29, 2016
The intriguing experience of mobile money pioneer M-PESA. 27th of April 2016 in Brussels with Michael Joseph, Director of Mobile Money at Vodafone Group Services Ltd
Feb 24, 2016
We are pleased to announce that the extensive conference report is now accessible online
Feb 15, 2016
Read about ILO's activities to develop inclusive insurance across 14 countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa in their 2015 annual report
Feb 12, 2016
Investment funds and microfinance: how to boost sustainable agriculture in developing countries?
Feb 12, 2016
Registration is now open for the 2016 Boulder MFT in English and French, July 18 to August 5, 2016 – Turin, Italy
Feb 04, 2016
The next course period will start on March 1, 2016.
Feb 01, 2016
The Department of Banking and Finance at the University of Zurich is pleased to announce its latest executive education program
Jan 22, 2016
FOROAGRO is an international event that will unite world experts to discuss and debate how best to promote various initiatives that ensure broad-based financial services for agriculture, food security, climate change
Jan 21, 2016
See the new e-MFP publication presenting the 3 finalists of the 6th European Microfinance Award
Jan 18, 2016
European Microfinance Week, 16th - 18th November 2016
Jan 15, 2016
Check out the e-MFP Winter 2015/2016 Newsletter
Jan 14, 2016
The Award is open to any European institution or organisation directly or indirectly involved in the financial inclusion of people excluded from mainstream financial services or with a limited access to them in European Union or EFTA countries.
Jan 08, 2016
Agricultural finance is crucial to support the growth of the agricultural sector. Indeed, it is essential for food security, job creation, and overall economic growth.
Dec 18, 2015
The material from the very successful training course organised by the e-MFP Microfinance and Environment Action Group during European Microfinance Week
Dec 03, 2015
Thank you to the 457 participants from 67 countries who gathered at European Microfinance Week, 18 - 20 November 2015
Dec 03, 2015
Microfinance Gateway have published an article on CRG, winner of the 6th European Microfinance Award
Dec 02, 2015
e-MFP is looking for a consultant to support the 7th European Microfinance Award
Dec 01, 2015
This report is the first attempt in the microfinance sector to address the area of green performance monitoring in a comprehensive manner
Nov 27, 2015
Call for Tenders for the final evaluation of University Meets Microfinance II (UMM) –deadline December 7, 2015: tender description, technical proposal template and financial proposal template – Expression of interest due by Nov. 30th
Nov 27, 2015
Global microfinance markets are expected to grow by 10-15% in 2016, although growth rates will differ markedly between regions. This is the key finding of the newly released responsAbility Microfinance Market Outlook 2016
Nov 26, 2015
SPTF is pleased to invite you to a webinar that will share the findings so far from their joint project with UNHCR to develop guidelines for financial service providers seeking to provide microfinance to refugee populations
Nov 26, 2015
Thanks to our media partners MicroCapital, Next Billion, Microfinance Gateway and Le Portail de la Microfinance, for their excellent coverage of European Microfinance Week
Nov 25, 2015
Small is powerful: how to support small businesses in Africa?
Nov 24, 2015
The three finalists videos shown at the 6th European Microfinance Award Ceremony, held on 19th November, at the European Investment Bank are now available online
Nov 23, 2015
European Microfinance Week (#EMW2015) concluded Friday in Luxembourg, with a closing plenary looking ahead to the future of microfinance, 'Where to from here?", with Blaine Stephens of the MIX Market, and Marc Labie of UMONS.
Nov 20, 2015
Crédit Rural de Guinée (CRG) has been announced as the winner of the 6th European Microfinance Award, focusing this year on Microfinance in Post-disaster, Post-conflict Areas & Fragile States, for its innovative response to the Ebola outbreak in Guinea
Nov 19, 2015
European Microfinance Week (#emw2015) got underway today in Luxembourg, with this year's attention on Financial Inclusion for Sustainable Development
Nov 17, 2015
Don't miss the conversation at European Microfinance Week, ‪#‎emw2015‬
Nov 10, 2015
European Microfinance Week, 18th - 20th November, is fast approaching and the deadline to register is Wednesday,11th November 18.00
Nov 10, 2015
The e-MFP Digital Innovations for Financial Empowerment (DIFE) Action Group just released a new publication: the FINCA Tanzania Success Case
Oct 27, 2015
Microfinance Lunch Break in Brussels, 8th December Brussels
Oct 23, 2015
Triple Jump, an impact investment fund manager with a global portfolio, is looking for a Portfolio Analyst, Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (ECCA) Team and a Portfolio Analyst, Latin America
Oct 22, 2015
Cantilan Bank was awarded for its gender-sensitive approach to financial inclusion and agricultural value chain financing for smallholder farmers
Oct 14, 2015
The e-MFP Action Group of Investors in Tier 2/3 MFIs is organizing a one-day workshop for investment officers during the Working Day, 18th November, of the European Microfinance Week
Oct 07, 2015
Check out the e-MFP Autumn 2015 Newsletter
Oct 06, 2015
On September 22nd, NpM in cooperation with FMO and Hivos, hosted the Green Inclusive Finance Conference
Oct 01, 2015
Borrow Wisely Campaign 2015: International financial education campaign will reach over 150 000 clients in 30 days
Sep 24, 2015
Crédit Rural de Guinée, The First Microfinance Institution - Syria and TSKI from the Philippines are the three finalists who will go on to compete for the €100,000 prize
Sep 24, 2015

The e-MFP Outcomes Action Group was formed in June 2015, in partnership with the SPTF Outcomes Working Group. It includes members of both e-MFP and SPTF.

Sep 21, 2015
In anticipation of European Microfinance Week 2015, media partner MicroCapital talked with Edvardas Bumsteinas of the EIB
Sep 18, 2015
The 9th edition of the Symbiotics Microfinance Investment Vehicles (MIV) Survey has just been published
Sep 11, 2015
EMN and MFC will celebrate the 1st European Microfinance Day, 20th October with the 180 members of both networks in the European Union
Sep 08, 2015
The set of product catalogues aims at providing a simple but comprehensive overview of both the technical and financial requirements, and socioeconomic and environmental benefits of the most common renewable energy (RE) and energy efficient (EE) technologies
Sep 03, 2015
The Forum is a meeting place for the public sector, private companies, civil society, media and students committed to sustainable development and to fighting poverty
Sep 01, 2015
The conference organised by NpM – Platform for Inclusive Finance, FMO and Hivos will take place in The Hague on 22 September 2015
Aug 27, 2015
The report evaluates access to and usage of affordable financial services by underserved people across 21 countries
Aug 24, 2015
The Positive Economy Forum is a platform working for development of a positive economy , oriented towards the interests of future generations
Aug 24, 2015
Microcredit emerged with the objective of including the poor into the banking system to help them improve their lives and change their destiny
Aug 24, 2015
The EcoMicro Program, co-funded by the Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund and the Nordic Development Fund, recently commissioned a study on The State of and Perspectives on Green Microfinance in Latin America and the Caribbean
Aug 18, 2015
The Mifos Initiative is holding a webinar Transforming Financial Inclusion - Mifos & SACCOs/Credit Unions, on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM GMT
Jul 31, 2015
The 14th University Meets Microfinance (UMM) Workshop on Responsible Inclusive Finance and Customer Empowerment will take place on 14th - 15th September at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
Jul 31, 2015
The annual Microfinance Barometer which analyses trends in the sector has just been published (in French). This year, as there is a special focus on digital finance, Philippe Breul, Head of the new e-MFP Digital Innovations for Financial Empowerment Action Group
Jul 29, 2015
What's in store at European Microfinance Week (EMW), 18th - 20th November 2015
Jul 28, 2015
VisionFund International is looking to expand it's team and has four job opportunities
Jul 22, 2015
This month's MicroCapital Monitor features an interview with Severine Debbos of ILO and Jared Penner of Child and Youth Finance International on More Inclusive Finance for Youth: Scalable and Sustainable Delivery Models for Financial and Non-Financial Services
Jul 22, 2015
Successful MFI practitioner in western europe seeks international expansion
Jul 16, 2015
Smallholders generally constitute the vast majority of farmers in most countries, and they account for 60% of global agriculture and provide up to 80% of food in developing countries.
Jul 09, 2015
The Centre for European Research in Microfinance and the Centre for Social Economy are offering a 2-year full-time research fellowship
Jul 07, 2015
Check out the e-MFP Summer 2015 Newsletter
Jun 29, 2015
Microfinance et auto-entrepreneurs : Nord et Sud - Comment la microfinance peut-elle aider les auto-entrepreneurs dans les pays développés ?
Jun 29, 2015
Triodos Green Fund has provided a loan to Compana Hondurena de Energia Solar S.A. de CV, to build a ground-mounted solar plant on a remote and rugged area in the southeast part of Honduras.
Jun 12, 2015
VisionFund has published their 2014 annual report together with the first social performance report.
Jun 12, 2015
Investisseurs & Partnaires (I&P) has recently published the handbook 'Investing in Africa's Small and Growing Businesses'
Jun 05, 2015
Thank you to all organisations who applied for the 6th European Microfinance Award on Microfinance in post-disaster, post-conflict areas and fragile states
Jun 04, 2015
Youth Financial Inclusion and Entrepreneurship Panel Session and Discussion, 24 June 2015, Paris
May 29, 2015
"More Inclusive Finance for Youth: Scalable and Sustainable Delivery Models for Financial and Non-Financial Services" has just been released by the e-MFP Youth Financial Inclusion Action Group
May 28, 2015
6th European Microfinance Award to recognise excellence in providing financial services in post-disaster, post-conflict areas and fragile states
May 26, 2015
Enhancing food security and resilience to climate change: what role for microfinance?
May 22, 2015
MicroCapital talks with Davide Forcella and Yekbun Gurgoz about the European Microfinance Award - why this theme and what sort of services would be considered
May 22, 2015
The symposium (in French) will take place 28 May in Paris on the theme of "Financing for sustainable development on the agenda for post- 2015"
May 21, 2015
See presentations and recording from the WWB webinar on 'Rebuilding in Crisis Environments: Experiences from Financial Institutions'
May 12, 2015
Don't miss the 24 May deadline for registration for the Fourth European Research Conference on Microfinance in Geneva 1-3 June.
May 05, 2015
Having been closed off for 40 years, Myanmar has undergone recent reform and is once again experiencing economic growth and is being touted as the "final frontier" by the Economist
Apr 24, 2015
After almost ten years of existence, Terrafina Microfinance has decided to reposition by increasing focus on agricultural microfinance
Apr 22, 2015
The SPTF invites you to participate in the SPTF Universal Standards for SPM Implementation Series
Apr 21, 2015
UMM Bachelor & Master scholarships for field missions in developing countries, 2nd Call for Applications 2015
Apr 19, 2015
The latest Global Findex, the world’s most comprehensive gauge of progress on financial inclusion, has just been released
Apr 16, 2015
Preparations are underway for European Microfinance Week, 18th - 20th November 2015 and e-MFP is launching a request for proposals from its members for sessions
Apr 15, 2015
Check out the new e-MFP Spring Newsletter
Apr 14, 2015
The Global Forum on Remittances and Development (GFRD) is organized by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Bank and the European Commission
Apr 08, 2015
Registration is now open for the EMN 12th Annual Conference, 'Microfinance and banks: are we the right partners?'
Apr 02, 2015
Climate change and poverty reduction are probably the two major challenges of our century. Developing countries, most vulnerable to the threats of climate disruption, are the first impacted by the effects of this phenomenon manifested by natural disasters
Mar 27, 2015
The next UMM Workshop will take place at the University of Bergamo, Italy, 11-12 June 2015.
Mar 25, 2015
The new European Dialogue features the ten organisations and their projects which were shortlisted for the 2014 Award
Mar 17, 2015
The 2015 Impact Investing & Microfinance conference will take place 29 April 2015
Mar 17, 2015
WSBI in collaboration with Kenya Post Office Savings Bank (KPOSB) has carried out a study
Mar 16, 2015
The new European Microfinance Week 2014 conference report is now accessible online
Mar 09, 2015
A new UMM Thematic Paper on 'Value Chains in Agricultural and Green Microfinance' is now available
Mar 06, 2015
NpM, in cooperation with Achmea and Michael McCord, president of the MicroInsurance Centre, is organising a seminar on the importance of microinsurance and how to transform that into a business case
Mar 06, 2015
A panel session and discussion on 'Responsible Digital Finance: Global and Local Perspectives on Emerging Opportunities and Risks'
Mar 04, 2015
GSMA Mobile Money for the Unbanked (MMU) programme has released its 2014 State of the Industry Report on mobile financial services.
Feb 23, 2015
The Global Forum on Remittances and Development (GFRD) 2015 will be held in Milan on 16-19 June
Feb 23, 2015
A new video tutorial in three languages is now available
Feb 02, 2015
We invite PhD, Master and Bachelor students enrolled at universities in the European Union to submit applications to the “University Meets Microfinance” (UMM) Scholarship Program
Jan 23, 2015
Check out the e-MFP Winter 2014/2015 Newsletter
Jan 22, 2015
For third consecutive year, the e-MFP Investors in Tier 2/3 MFIs Action Group publishes their Annual Survey
Jan 19, 2015
e-MFP has released a new publication presenting the 3 finalists of the 5th European Microfinance Award
Jan 19, 2015
The Department of Banking and Finance at the University of Zurich is pleased to announce a number of executive courses for professionals in 2015
Jan 06, 2015
The study explains the success of digital financial services (DFS) in Kenya and presents challenges and opportunities for the development of DFS in seven other countries
Dec 05, 2014
Register for LinkEd development finance e-learning courses, starting on 2 March 2015
Dec 04, 2014
The International Fund for Agricultural Development, the World Bank Group and the European Commission are pleased to announce the upcoming Global Forum on Remittances and Development 2015 which takes place in Milan on 16-19 June
Dec 01, 2014
e-MFP would like to thank the over 400 participants from 56 countries who gathered at European Microfinance Week
Nov 27, 2014
See the videos shown at the 5th European Microfinance Award ceremony
Nov 25, 2014
The Fourth European Research Conference on Microfinance will take place 1st - 3rd June 2015 at the University of Geneva.
Nov 20, 2014
European Microfinance Week 2014, with the theme of 'Developing Better Markets' gathered over 400 opinion-leaders
Nov 17, 2014
Over 400 practitioners, investors, academics and support providers gather at Abbaye de Neumünster in Luxembourg to present on market-driven innovations in financial services in the global South
Nov 13, 2014
European Microfinance Week (#emw2014) got underway today in Luxembourg, with this year's attention on "Developing Better Markets", a key focus to be discussed in the context of digital innovations, investment, social performance and sustainability.
Nov 09, 2014
The e-MFP Microfinance and Environment Action Group will present seven new products in their product catalogue series at European Microfinance Week
Nov 02, 2014
Launch of the 2014 Microfinance Barometer
Oct 24, 2014
The e-MFP Microfinance and Environment Action Group have published 'The Green Index: an innovative tool to assess the environmental performance of MFIs'.
Oct 20, 2014
With European Microfinance Week, 12th - 14th November, fast approaching, our media partners MicroCapital and Le Portail Microfinance
Oct 09, 2014
Check out the e-MFP Autumn 2014 Newsletter. Discover the 3 finalists for the European Microfinance Award and read about their innovative initiatives.
Oct 08, 2014
Interesting new publication from SOS Faim on green microfinance
Oct 02, 2014
The e-MFP Youth Financial Inclusion Action Group has launched a call for case studies for their next publication "More inclusive microfinance for youth – scalable and sustainable delivery models
Sep 22, 2014
Press Release: Announcing the Finalists for the 5th European Microfinance Award on Microfinance and the Environment
Sep 09, 2014
On the occasion of the 5th edition of the Convergences World Forum
Sep 08, 2014
Microfinance, or access to financial services, has an effect on the lives of the poor. This is one of the main conclusions of the extensive ING-NpM research 'A Billion to Gain?'
Sep 04, 2014
Incofin Investment Management's Rural Impulse Fund II (RIF II) together with Triodos Microfinance Fund (TMF) and
Sep 03, 2014
e-MFP's Microfinance & Environment Action Group discuss the tools they have developed
Sep 01, 2014
Following the successful response to the e-MFP Remittances Action Group's publication
Aug 28, 2014
Join Daniel Rozas and Jonathan Morduch in the 'NpM One Day Open University'
Jul 18, 2014

World Politics Review has published the following article from e-MFP Board Member Hans Dieter Seibel:

Jul 14, 2014
The risk of client indebtedness dominates the list of concerns about the future of the microfinance industry, according to a new risk survey.
Jul 10, 2014
Check out e-MFP's Summer 2014 Newsletter. Read how ASKI, previous winner of the European Microfinance Award used the prize to increase their activities in support of food security.
Jun 26, 2014
Global experience of microfinance institutions active in remittances included in Best Practices Guide
Jun 24, 2014
responsAbility has just published the 2014 edition of 'Perspectives'
May 23, 2014
Created last February, the Burkina Faso based investment fund Sinergi Burkina will be officially launched on October 14th 2014 in Ouagadougou.
May 23, 2014
Is there a business case for investing in client protection?
May 21, 2014
Triple Jump investigates whether the databases of microfinance institutions (MFIs) can be mutually accessed to better understand the impact of microfinance on end-clients.
May 15, 2014

Varvara Maslova and Judith Santbergen have recently joined Triodos the Emerging Markets team as Investment Officers.

Apr 14, 2014
Take a look at e-MFP's Spring Newsletter. Get the background on the 5th European Microfinance Award on Microfinance and the Environment. Catch up on e-MFP's lastest news and activities.
Apr 11, 2014
The recent University Meets Microfinance Newsletter includes details of the UMM Awards ceremony at European Microfinance Week and information on the e-MFP UMM Action Group activities.
Apr 03, 2014

Luxembourg puts a strong emphasis on the importance of sustainable development through financial inclusion by bringing together key stakeholders from the public, private and civil-society sector around this common objective.

Apr 02, 2014
The 4th European Microfinance Research Conference will be hosted 1st - 3rd June 2015, by the University of Geneva (Geneva Finance Research Insititute) in association with the Graduate Institute, the University of Fribourg and the University of Zurich. A call for papers will be issued in May 2014.
Mar 28, 2014
Over the past decade, Africa has experienced unprecedented growth, with 5-6% growth rate at the continent level. However, this growth remains heterogeneous, fragile, insufficient and unevenly distributed.
Mar 21, 2014
CERISE has released a universal social performance assessment tool that integrates latest sector social performance standards. This newest version - SPI4 - enables its users to evaluate the level of implementation of the Universal Standards for Social Performance Management, including the Smart Campaign Client Protection Principles.
Mar 20, 2014
Incofin Investment Management and Frankfurt School of Finance & Management present the Report of the first EIB Rural Impulse Fund II Symposium in Africa. Through this publication, which provides insights and best cases about microfinance in the African, Caribbean and Pacific region, they wish to encourage future initiatives promoting peer-to peer-learning and financial inclusion in rural areas.
Mar 20, 2014
In this paper, we estimate the number of empty savings accounts at MFIs and banks in Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Pakistan, as well as in cooperatives among a mix of countries worldwide
Sep 09, 2013
e-MFP would like to thank the 378 participants from 59 countries who attended European Microfinance Week, 12th - 14th November 2013 in Luxembourg
Sep 07, 2013
If you missed the event, see the European Microfinance Week video now