13 Nov 2025
Inclusive Finance 25 Opens With Frank Discussion At The Changed Funding Context – And Call For New Partnerships And Models To Address These Challenges
Under fresh re-brand, three-day, member-led hybrid conference comprises over 30 sessions across various formats; almost 700 total attendees, half in person and half online
Plenaries on changes in the financial inclusion funding landscape; building resilience through inclusive insurance; the history, role and future of cooperatives (as part of 2025’s International Year of Cooperatives); and the role of AI in inclusive finance.
Launch of e-MFP publications Building Resilience through Inclusive Insurance, and Members’ Spotlight 2025
European Microfinance Award (EMA) ceremony takes place on Thursday 13th November, 5pm at European Investment Bank
Thursday 13th November 2025, For Immediate Release
Inclusive Finance 25 (IF25) – the new name for European Microfinance Week – opened Wednesday with a plenary entitled ‘Navigating the New Funding Reality in Inclusive Finance’.
It’s abundantly clear to everyone in the sector that changing geopolitical and macroeconomic contexts and new public funding priorities are already having an impact in the availability of funding for financial inclusion. This plenary aimed to present and discuss recent data on the impact of these changes and outline evolving investor strategies, including the rise of thematic and impact-driven capital, catalytic capital, as well as the expanding role of private markets in financing inclusive financial services.
The conference was opened by e-MFP’s Christoph Pausch, followed by introductory remarks from Thomas Barbancey, Deputy Director for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade (MFA), Mr. Barbancey spoke of “financial landscapes shifting”, meaning the “gap between ambition and resources is real’. He gave a plea for “bold thinking”, saying it is not the “moment for retreat” and that innovators, public and private providers alike “each hold a part of the required response”. He finished by observing the impending 80th anniversary of the creation of the UN, reminding us of the value of multilateral systems and partnerships.
Ramkumar Narayanan, Head of Research & Investment at Tameo Impact Fund Solutions presented Tameo’s recent Private Asset Impact Fund Report and spoke on tends in private sector funds in financial inclusion. Philippe Guichandut from Grameen Credit Agricole Foundation presented findings from a recent study measuring the impact of public aid reduction in the financial inclusion sector – highlighting that the main impact has been on partnerships, particularly on projects related to climate change adaptation/mitigation; client resilience to shocks; digital transformation; innovation in product development; and financial inclusion of women.
After this, there was a panel to discuss the impact of recent developments, longer-term trends, investor solutions, and a call to arms for new approaches. Comprising Claudia McKay from CGAP; Paz Velasco from DG International Partnerships at the European Commission; Alejandro Vázquez, from CAMCO and part of InFiNe’s De-Risking Working Group; and Carmen Correa of ProMujer, the panel discussed current trends, new instruments, regional challenges, and questions over impact, and promising innovations for the future – de-risking mechanisms, building bridges with new types of funders, and the need to present new ‘narratives’
This year, IF25 welcomes almost 700 attendees – in-person and online – to plenaries, breakouts, closed-door roundtables and Action Group meetings – organised across several thematic streams and via over 25 breakout sessions, covering areas such as green finance, biodiversity, impact & outcomes, client protection, access to basic services, financial inclusion for women, digitalisation, inclusive insurance, refugee finance and post-conflict reconstruction, disability inclusion and others.
There are many networking slots for attendees gather en masse or to meet in small groups in a more private context. In addition, there are several Action Group (AG) meetings, plus some closed, invitation only sessions, breakfast events, and a conference platform and app for both in-person and remote attendees to use.
Thursday morning saw the second plenary of the conference, on ‘Building resilience through inclusive insurance’ the topic of the European Microfinance Award 2025. The Award this year attracted an unprecedented field of applications – an initial 103 – and e-MFP had invaluable support from the Microinsurance Network (MiN) in the design, implementation, assessment and communication of the Award. The plenary session started with the launch of e-MFP’s publication of the same name (which profiles the 12 semi-finalists across four general themes, and finishes with ten ‘insights’ on best practice’) as well as the new e-MFP Members’ Spotlight, and then Matt Genazzini from MiN presented the current sector landscape. A panel discussion then covered questions ranging from behavioural barriers to insurance uptake, to public private partnerships, and product and distribution innovations.
As always, IF25 is the culmination of a year-long evaluation and knowledge creation process with the announcement of the winner tonight (and the €100,000 prize plus €10,000 to each of the two runners-up, provided by the MFA) at the EMA2025 Award Ceremony, generously hosted by the European Investment Bank.
Friday will see another full range of sessions, including a morning plenary on ‘The Role of Cooperatives in Accelerating a Sustainable Transition’, and a closing plenary on ‘The Good, the Bad... or Just Hype? The Future of AI in Inclusive Finance’ – with a special guest. Watch this space.