Finance for Life's Firsts: Case studies and insights from the Luxembourg Award for Inclusive Finance 2026, on ‘Unlocking Youth-Inclusive Finance'

Each year, the Luxembourg Award for Inclusive Finance (formerly the European Microfinance Award) is accompanied by a publication that explores the Award’s theme in greater depth. Drawing on the experiences and practices of the organisations that apply, these publications aim to identify emerging approaches, share practical lessons and contribute to wider learning across the inclusive finance sector. They go beyond showcasing the finalists and winner to examine what works, what challenges remain, and what other organisations can learn and adapt.

The 2026 edition, authored by Sam Mendelson with support from various other e-MFP staff and external consultants, is entitled Finance for Life’s Firsts and explores how inclusive finance can accompany young people as they navigate key stages in their lives — from education and first employment to entrepreneurship, migration and growing household responsibilities. It recognises that young people are far from a homogeneous group, and that their financial needs, opportunities and vulnerabilities change considerably according to their circumstances and stages of life.

Drawing on applications to the 2026 Award, the publication presents ten organisational case studies from across the world, organised around three interconnected themes: building capability, helping young people develop the skills, confidence and agency to make financial and economic decisions; building pathways, creating routes into and through formal financial services; and building ecosystems, recognising that finance must work alongside the wider economic and social structures that shape young people’s opportunities.

The publication also presents lessons learned in the participating organisations’ own words, and concludes with ten insights from the 2026 Award, offering practical considerations for financial service providers, funders, policymakers and others seeking to make finance more inclusive and effective for young people.