2025: A Year of Bold Moves and Lasting Impact!

As we step confidently into 2026, it’s time to look back and celebrate the incredible milestones that defined MFC’s journey in 2025. This past year was marked by innovation, collaboration and resilience as we worked together to empower communities across Europe and Central Asia through sustainable and inclusive finance.

From global climate action to local financial inclusion initiatives, 2025 demonstrated the strength of partnerships and the power of shared vision. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our members, partners and friends.

Now, let’s carry this momentum forward and make 2026 a year of innovation, diversity, and sustainability!

12 Highlights That Made 2025 Exception

1. 27th MFC Annual Conference – Tbilisi, Georgia

Our flagship event brought together 445 professionals from more than 40 countries, including microfinance institutions, investors, regulators, development partners, and technology providers. Organised in partnership with the Georgian Association of Microfinance Institutions, the conference served as a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange and networking.

2. Microfinance Leaders at COP30 – Brazil

We took our mission to the global stage at the world’s most influential climate conference. Together with the Azerbaijan Micro-Finance Association (AMFA), MFC convened leading MFIs, regulators, climate investors, and global funds for a high-level workshop:
“Microfinance for Climate Adaptation, Mitigation and Resilience: From Pilots to Scale.”
We showcased innovative models from the ECA region and introduced the COP30 Guiding Principles, reinforcing microfinance as a critical tool for climate resilience.

3. Social Finance Vibe Virtual Conference

This dynamic online event attracted 346 participants and featured Mario Nava, Director General at DG Employment, European Commission, who shared a powerful vision for the future of the microfinance sector.

4. Policy Forum in Dubrovnik – MICROBALKANS25

Co-organised with AMFI, this forum gathered 58 sector professionals to discuss lessons learned, regional progress, and strategies for advancing inclusive finance in the Balkans.

5. Sector Capability Building via SIFTA

2025 was a highly productive year for SIFTA, with nearly 40 activities delivered:

24 webinars and workshops
8 tailored trainings
6 peer-to-peer exchanges and study visit
Together, these initiatives engaged over 1,000 participants, strengthening sector capacity across the region.

6. Transform Together Fund – Flagship Project Completion

In partnership with Cerise+SPTF, we celebrated the successful completion of one of our most impactful projects. Nine MFC partners – including Adie, Confeserfidi, Coopfin, Faer FDPA, Microlab, Omro, SISCredit, and 3Bank – developed innovative programmes that enhanced green and digital skills for 9,902 microfinance clients across Europe.

7. Local Action Group Meetings – Warsaw Roundtable

MFC supported local AG meetings in Poland, culminating in the Warsaw roundtable on Financial Inclusion for Ukrainian FDPs and FDP-Owned MSMEs, co-hosted with IFC and UNHCR and attended by 20 sector professionals.

8. Strengthening Collaboration with Managing Authorities

We expanded our engagement with Managing Authorities across the region, establishing new contacts in Czech Republic and Slovakia, and welcoming a Croatian representative at the Social Finance Vibe event.

9. MFC Members Shine at fi-compass 10-Year Anniversary

Our members made a strong impression at this milestone event:

Martina Grigorova, CEO of SIS Credit and MFC Council Member, opened discussions on microfinance as a driver of social inclusion in Europe.
Neoklis Stamkos, CEO of Microsmart, presented the TEPIX III Microcredit Fund at ShowcaseAward25, nominated in the Innovation category.

10. Borrow Wisely and Senior Entrepreneurship Campaigns

Through collaboration with 20 organisations across 8 European markets, these campaigns achieved remarkable outreach, with materials viewed 1,908,109 times across online and offline channels.

11. Key Publications and Surveys

We released groundbreaking resources, including:

Microfinance in Europe: Survey Report (2024 Edition)
Social Finance Trends 2025
Successful Impact Investors Models for Funding Social Economy in Europe (8 case studies)
Two practical toolkits showcasing innovative approaches to digital business skills and green transition, plus strategies for supporting farmers and rural communities in their transformation journeys.