7th European Microfinance Day: Keeping the doors open for all entrepreneurs
The European Microfinance Day was launched in 2015 as a tool to highlight the impact of the microfinance sector in Europe from a social and an economic perspective.
The campaign is anchored around a symbolic date, the 15th of October. This date was chosen based on a striking statistic: 21.7% of the EU population is at risk of poverty or social exclusion. In other words, the “system” isn’t working 21.7% of the time. Relative to a calendar year, this means that it breaks down on 15 October, when the doors close for those willing to build a better life for themselves. Microfinance is pushing hard to move this limit further and further year after year, to see the day no one is left behind.
The main objectives of the European Microfinance Day are:
- To raise awareness among European citizens on the existence of microfinance and on its value to fight unemployment and social exclusion.
- To draw the attention of European media on how microfinance works in Europe and how it supports and helps the unemployed and European citizens excluded from the traditional financial sector.
- To exchange experiences within the European microfinance sector by giving visibility to the work of EMN & MFC members.
- To allow local members to draw the spotlight on their achievements and their missions at local level.
These objectives remain the same and will define the spirit of the 7th European Microfinance Day, with a unifying thread allowing participants to reflect the positive contribution of microfinance in combatting poverty and social exclusion.
Local actions of MFC Members
Adie, France
1. A la rencontre des créateurs d’entreprise de l’eurométropole de Lille
Date: 20 October 2021
Location: Lille, France
Objective:
- Determined to make business creation for all a lever for economic development and integration, Adie invites the European and Eurometropolitan elected officials of Lille, France to exchange with entrepreneurs supported and financed by Adie.
Microfinance Association, Albania
1. Roundtable on microfinance support for Albanian Entrepreneurs
Date: 25 October 2021
Venue: Online
Objectives:
- The Albanian Microfinance Association will organise a high-profile roundtable in line with the theme of the campaign: “Keeping the door open for Albanian entrepreneurs”. Gathering high-level representatives from the Albanian government, central bank, and business associations, in addition to AMA members, the event will aim to convey the association’s efforts to support entrepreneurs in Albania, and present its strategy for the post-pandemic period.
Banca Etica, Italy
1. Webinar
Date: October 2021
Location: Online
Description:
- This cycle of webinars organised throughout Italy will bring a simple, yet essential, message: microcredit can be the answer to the current social-economic crisis and to the risk of wear and tear.
Monte Credit, Montenegro
1. “Secure your future with Monte Credit”
Date: 18 – 22 October 2021
Location: Montenegro
Description:
Through this campaign, Monte Credit wants to provide individuals with knowledge about crucial business skills, enabling them to transform their livelihoods. Education and training are crucial components in the success of their clients, because it will help them to develop entrepreneurial skills. Financial education can greatly improve knowledge of money management, savings, and budgeting. They want to help our client to identify their financial objectives, chart out a plan and stick to it. Conduct research to determine who and where the clients are and also, we plan to increase our outreach.
As Monte Credit clients develop economically and become more acquainted with microfinance services, and as competition in the sector strengthens, small-scale enterprises will likely have a greater demand for more diversified products. Simple systems and procedures are often key to increasing the outreach of microfinance institutions, especially in rural environments.
NOA, Albania
1. Social media & specialised press campaign
Date: October 2021
Location: Online
Description:
For the European Microfinance Day 2021, NOA will focus its campaign on answering some questions and paint a clearer picture of the sector. What is the typical profile of a microfinance expert? Why should recent graduates or professionals with a rich background on banking/finance choose to work in this sector? What does it mean on a daily basis? What is the real impact in the field?
NOA will also focus on the technology side, answering questions such as what is the relationship between MFIs and innovation? How can new technologies improve MFIs offer? How can financing new fintechs be considered a social mission?
Patria Credit, Romania
1. Social media campaign
Date: 15 October 2021
Location: Online
Description:
The promotion of the campaign will be coordinated on Patria Credit’s social media pages (Patria Credit & Patria Bank Facebook pages) and through their sales force
2. Special offer
Date: 18 to 22 October 2021
Location: Patria Credit branches
Description:
A special loan offer will be available to new and existing client for four days to celebrate the EMD 2021
3. Press release
Date: 18 October 2021
Location: Online
Description:
A press release will be sent to a relevant selection of journalists to highlight the importance of the campaign and of microcredit on Romania, advocating its role in the development of rural communities in Romania
