Thank you for the 28th MFC Annual Conference

Dear Participants,

Thank you for being part of the 28th MFC Annual Conference: Microfinance in Transition – Is Purpose at Risk?, held in Durrës, Albania on 19–21 May 2026 — it was truly a pleasure to have you with us!

Before we go any further, we would really value your thoughts. Please take a moment to share your feedback by filling in the evaluation form.

Over the past days, we had the chance to come together as a truly global community — 502 participants from 46 countries, including 29 investors — sharing ideas, experiences, and perspectives on how to navigate the future of inclusive finance.

This year’s edition was also a special milestone for MFC. For the very first time, we welcomed an AI speaker contributing directly to the sessions, opening up new ways of thinking about how we learn, exchange knowledge, and shape discussions.

But beyond the sessions, what made this conference truly memorable was you — and the atmosphere we created together.
From engaging conversations and new partnerships to simply enjoying time together by the sea:

• the Grill & Garden Networking Evening
• and the Gala Dinner at sunset (with plenty of dancing!)

…reminded us that strong communities are built not only in meeting rooms, but also in shared moments and genuine connections.

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and partners whose support made this conference possible. Their commitment to inclusive finance, innovation, and impact-driven collaboration not only strengthens this event, but also helps move the entire sector forward. Thanks to their engagement, we are able to create a platform where ideas turn into partnerships, and discussions lead to real change.

If you haven’t had a chance yet, we would still love to hear from you — your feedback helps us shape future conferences and make them even more valuable for you.

Please share your thoughts by filling in this evaluation form. 

Once again, thank you for your energy, openness, and for making this conference such a great experience.

We hope you returned home with new ideas, meaningful connections — and maybe a few great memories from Durrës as well.

Looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Warm regards,
MFC Team

Join us in Albania! Registration for the 28th MFC Annual Conference remains open. You are welcome!

You can still register for the 28th MFC Annual Conference.

For nearly three decades, the MFC Annual Conference has been the flagship gathering of the microfinance and social finance community. Each year it brings together leading experts, practitioners, associations, networks, investors, IT providers and consultants from across Europe, Central Asia and beyond.

Building on this strong legacy, the record‑breaking 27th edition in Tbilisi welcomed 450+ participants from 40 countries, hosted 1,000+ B2B meetings, and featured the highest-ever number of investors and donors — resulting in new partnerships, funding opportunities and long-term collaborations.

This year’s conference, “Microfinance in Transition: Is Purpose at Risk?”, will explore the tensions between capital and purpose, efficiency and empathy, scale and impact. Participants will be invited to co‑create practical pathways to ensure that microfinance remains a force for equity and resilience.

The event will be held at the Meliá Hotel Durrës, located directly on the Adriatic coastline and just a 50‑minute drive from Tirana. The calm, inspiring seaside setting provides an ideal environment for meaningful networking, focused discussions and community building. Transport options are available on the conference website.

Agenda Highlights

• Opening keynote by Prof. Andrés Rodríguez Pose (LSE): Development Traps in a World in Transition
• Fireside Chat with Prof. Andrés Rodríguez Pose (LSE) and Kristina Maslaukaite (CEB): Governance and new growth models
• Unlocking Climate Finance for MFIs in the ECA Region: Green Climate Fund (GCF) – Microfinance Dialogue (by invitation only)
• Keeping purpose on track: Using social impact evidence in practice
• The Capital Question: Safeguarding Purpose in Times of Transition
• Regulators’ Roundtable
• The Balkans–Mediterranean Corridor: Capital, Cooperation and Capacity in Transition
• Purpose First: Digital Transformation and the AI Breakthroughs Shaping Inclusion
• Safeguarding Purpose: How can gender-smart product design and governance maintain focus on women’s financial inclusion? (workshop by invitation)
• Investors’ Plenary – Capital in Transition
• Safeguarding Purpose: Gender-Smart Governance for Women’s Financial Inclusion
• Beyond Credit: Inclusive Leasing Models
• Leading in Complexity: Purpose, Presence and Practice brought to you by IDG4FI
• From Access to Agency: The Road Ahead
• Special Session – Microfinance in Albania: Current State and Challenges

Networking & Social Experiences

• Grill & Garden Networking Evening | Beachfront venue
• Seaside Gala Dinner | Durrës waterfront
• 1:1 and group meetings arranged via the Brella app (available from 1 March 2026), including targeted matchmaking

Registration 

All MFC Members are entitled to an exclusive discounted rate. To access this discount, members are kindly asked to settle their 2026 membership fee. Once the payment is received, we will provide a unique registration code that can be used by all representatives of the member organization (for participants from member organizations sponsoring the conference, registration will be handled individually).

👉 EXPLORE THE AGENDA AND REGISTER

We sincerely hope you will join us in sunny Albania for three days of insight exchange, high‑value networking and partnership building.

If you have any questions regarding registration, hotel booking, arranging transportation, etc., please contact our logistic partner, PAV Group LLC at registration@pavgroup.cz. 

REGISTER NOW

Watch Mario Nava’s Speech: Social Finance at the Heart of Europe’s Future

At the opening of Social Finance Vibe 2025, Mario Nava, Director General for Employment, Social Affairs, and Inclusion at the European Commission, delivered a keynote speech that set a visionary tone for the event. His address underscored the pivotal role of social finance and microfinance in shaping a resilient, inclusive, and competitive Europe.

Navigating Change: Europe’s Shifting Priorities

Nava began by acknowledging the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape and its impact on European priorities. He emphasized that, amid uncertainty, the greatest asset Europe possesses is its people − their skills, adaptability, and potential. Citing the Draghi Report and the Competitiveness Compass, he described skills as a “horizontal enabler” for Europe’s progress and competitiveness.

The Social Economy: A Foundation for Growth

Highlighting the strong link between microfinance and the social economy, Nava argued that these sectors create the right environment for people to thrive. He reaffirmed the European Commission’s commitment to the social agenda, especially in times of geopolitical tension, and pointed to the European Pillar of Social Rights as a guiding framework.

Three Pillars for a Stronger Europe

Nava outlined three core objectives from the European Pillar of Social Rights:

1. Increasing Employment: Achieving a 78% employment rate among people aged 20-64 by 2030, with several countries already surpassing 80%. He noted that the remaining gap includes groups well-served by microfinance, such as women, migrants and people with disabilities.
2. Reducing Poverty: With 93 million Europeans at risk of poverty or social exclusion, the goal is to reduce this number by 15 million by 2030 and to work towards eradicating poverty by 2050  −  echoing the vision of “zero emissions, zero poverty, zero unemployment” proposed by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus in “Yunus’s 3 Zeros Revolution: A New Economic Paradigm for a Just and Sustainable World“
3. Improving Skills: The aim is for 60% of adults to participate in training each year, recognizing the crucial role of non-financial services and training provided by microfinance institutions.

The Role of Microfinance: Demonstrating Impact

Nava encouraged the sector to clearly demonstrate its impact, not just to the Commission but to the public and policymakers. “You don’t need to preach to the converted,” he said, “but you need to convince everyone else with compelling evidence and big numbers.” He stressed the importance of impact measurement and showcasing results to ensure continued support and funding.

Funding and Flexibility: The New MFF

Discussing the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), Nava highlighted increased flexibility in funding, with a focus on national and regional partnership plans that promote equal opportunities, social inclusion and poverty reduction. He pointed to the European Social Fund (ESF and ESF Plus) as key instruments supporting social and employment policies and cited real-world examples of their impact, such as food assistance in France and housing projects in Slovakia.

Supporting Small MFIs and Candidate Countries

Addressing concerns about support for smaller microfinance institutions (MFIs), Nava assured that the Commission is committed to ensuring access for small and non-profit organizations. He also recognized the importance of the European Code of Good Conduct as a “brand” for the sector and expressed willingness to advocate for its adoption in candidate countries.

Advice for the Sector: Stay Relevant and Resilient

In closing, Nava offered advice to the social finance community: “To be resilient and relevant, you must be in the mainstream of action and measurable in your results”. He urged organizations to align their work with the three targets of the European Pillar of Social Rights  −  employment, poverty reduction and skills development and to document and communicate their contributions.

Mario Nava’s speech was a call to action for the social finance sector: to embrace change, measure impact and remain central to Europe’s social and economic transformation.

Watch the full speech

Thank You for Making Social Finance Vibe 2025 a Success!

On behalf of the entire MFC Team, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, partners and all participants for your invaluable support and engagement during Social Finance Vibe 2025: The Great Rebalancing.

Your expertise and commitment helped create an inspiring event that brought together nearly 400 registrants from 50 countries, featured 18 dynamic sessions, and showcased insights from over 40 expert speakers, including keynote speaker Mario Nava (Director General, DG Employment, European Commission).

We were also proud to celebrate innovation at the Green Inclusive Finance Recognition Ceremony, honoring European Fund for Southeast Europe and The Wałbrzych Regional Fund (Poland).

Recordings of all sessions will be available soon on our website and shared on our LinkedIn profile in the coming months.

We value your feedback! Please share your thoughts through our post-event survey to help us shape future events: take the survey.

Thank you again for your partnership and participation. We look forward to continuing this journey together to advance social finance and microfinance across Europe and beyond.

Microfinance for Senior Entrepreneurship: Unlocking Untapped Potential

After successful campaigns spotlighting female and youth entrepreneurship, the Microfinance Centre (MFC) and 17 partners are now focusing on a group often overlooked in business creation: older adults.

This year’s campaign, Microfinance for Senior Entrepreneurship, draws on insights from the OECD’s Missing Entrepreneurs report and showcases inspiring stories from microfinance institutions across Europe. The goal? To raise awareness, share knowledge, and advocate for policies that support senior entrepreneurs.

Why Seniors?

Europe’s population of healthy, skilled older adults is growing. Many have the time, experience and financial means to remain economically active — yet few start new businesses. In 2022, the number of “missing” senior entrepreneurs (aged 50–64) was 145% higher than those actually engaged in early-stage entrepreneurship in the EU, and 103% higher in the OECD. If seniors were as active as men aged 30–49, the EU would see 5.5 million more senior entrepreneurs — and the OECD, 21.2 million.

While self-employment among seniors is rising, the leap into entrepreneurship remains rare. This under-representation makes older adults a critical demographic for inclusive entrepreneurship support.

What Microfinance Can Do

Microfinance institutions across Europe are already helping seniors turn ideas into businesses. This campaign highlights what’s working — and what more can be done. By increasing visibility, sharing practical knowledge, and engaging policymakers, we aim to strengthen microfinance’s role in fostering age-diverse entrepreneurship.

“The Microfinance Centre and its partners have supported the ‘missing entrepreneurs’ for over three years,” said Ewa Bankowska, MFC Deputy Director. “We believe everyone deserves a fair chance to build a sustainable business − regardless of age, gender, birthplace or employment status. Inclusive entrepreneurship drives inclusive growth.”

Last year’s campaign focused on youth. The year before, on women. This year, it’s seniors. The mission remains the same: to expand access to entrepreneurship through microfinance.

About the Missing Entrepreneurs Report

Published biennially, The Missing Entrepreneurs explores how government policies can unlock entrepreneurial potential among under-represented groups — including women, youth, seniors, immigrants, the unemployed and people with disabilities.

Meet the 2025 Campaign Partners

Albania: Albanian Microfinance Association, Agro Social Fund, FedInvest, Fondi Besa, Kredo, NOA
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Association of Microfinance Institutions, EKI, Mi-Bospo, Partner
Greece: Microsmart
North Macedonia: Horizonti, Moznosti
Moldova: Microinvest, Prima Finantare
Montenegro: Monte Credit
Romania: Vitas30

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

The Missing Entrepreneurs is a series of biennial reports examining how government policies can release untapped entrepreneurial potential from under-represented parts of the population of impactful entrepreneurs, including women, youth, seniors, the unemployed, immigrants and people with disabilities. It offers comparative data on the entrepreneurship activities and the barriers faced by each group across OECD and European Union countries. It takes a deep dive into the effectiveness of youth entrepreneurship schemes and the design of welfare bridge schemes for business creation by job seekers. It also contains country profiles for each of the 27 EU Member States showing the major recent trends in diversity in entrepreneurship and the current state and evolution of policy for each country.

Borrow Wisely: Over 3 Million Educated on Smart and Responsible Borrowing

Today marks the launch of the 11th edition of the international Borrow Wisely Campaign, a powerful financial literacy initiative led by the Microfinance Centre (MFC) in collaboration with trusted microfinance institutions across Europe. This impactful campaign helps people borrow smartly, avoid debt traps, and build lasting trust in the microfinance sector.

What Is Borrow Wisely?

Borrow Wisely is a dynamic, client-focused campaign that promotes global standards for responsible borrowing. Every year, MFC and its network of ethical lenders unite to guide individuals in making informed financial decisions and steering clear of over-indebtedness.

Empowering People to Borrow Smart

At the heart of the campaign is a simple but powerful message: You have the power to borrow wisely. By asking the right questions before taking a loan, clients can protect their financial health and choose options that truly fit their repayment capacity.

Why Microfinance Institutions Stand Behind It

For over three decades, microfinance institutions have been champions of responsible lending and client protection. Borrow Wisely reinforces these values, showcasing the industry’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and international best practices.

Making a Real Impact

The campaign reaches people through both digital and traditional channels, offering a practical pre-loan checklist to help borrowers stay within safe financial limits.

Ewa Bankowska, Deputy Director of MFC, shared:

We deeply appreciate our partners’ dedication to Borrow Wisely and the incredible results we’ve achieved together. In just the past two years, we’ve reached over 3 million people. At MFC, we believe collaboration is the key to real change — together, we’re building a future of responsible borrowing.

2025 Campaign Partners

• Albania: Albanian Microfinance Association, Agro Social Fund, FedInvest, Fondi Besa, IUTE, Kredo, NOA
• Bosnia & Herzegovina: Association of Microfinance Institutions, EKI, Mi-Bospo, Partner
• Bulgaria: Mikrofond, SIS Credit
• Greece: Microsmart
• North Macedonia: Horizonti, Moznosti
• Moldova: Microinvest, Prima Finantare
• Montenegro: Monte Credit
• Romania: Vitas30

Microfinance for Senior Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment

Join Microfinance for Senior Entrepreneurship Campaign

Despite a growing population of healthy older adults with the skills, time and financial means to stay economically active, relatively few are creating new businesses. In fact, according to The Missing Entrepreneurs, the share of “missing” senior entrepreneurs (aged 50–64) in 2022 was 145% of the number of actual early-stage senior entrepreneurs in the EU, and 103% in the OECD. If older adults were as active in business creation as men aged 30–49, there would be 5.5 million more senior entrepreneurs in the EU and 21.2 million more in the OECD.

While many seniors are engaged in self-employment and the share increases with age — the transition into new business creation remains limited. This under-representation makes older adults a critical, yet often overlooked, demographic in entrepreneurship support.

Join us in changing that

Following two successful campaigns on female and young entrepreneurs, the Microfinance Centre is now turning the spotlight on senior entrepreneurship. Building on our research and insights from The Missing Entrepreneurs, we explore the challenges older adults face in starting businesses and how microfinance can play a transformative role.

This campaign highlights how microfinance institutions across Europe are already supporting senior entrepreneurs and what more can be done to unlock their potential. Through increased visibility, knowledge sharing and policy engagement, we aim to strengthen the role of microfinance in fostering inclusive, age-diverse entrepreneurship.

Together with our partners, we’re working to ensure that no entrepreneur is “missing”

Join the campaign and help raise awareness about the power of microfinance in supporting seniors who are ready to start—and grow—their own businesses.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

Check out the Campaigns on Microfinance for Female and Youth Entrepreneurship

Microfinance for Female and Youth Entrepreneurship Campaigns Results

In 2023 and 2024, the MFC spearheaded campaigns promoting the role of the microfinance sector in supporting female and youth entrepreneurs, in addition to sharing success stories from our partners. We partnered with 19 organizations from 8 European markets (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Greece, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia). Collectively, these partners reached more than 3 361 000 individuals through online and offline channels.

Campaign 2023 and 2024 Partners

Campaign Timeline 2025

We invite you to become a Partner of the Microfinance for Senior Entrepreneurship Campaign!

We call for long-standing partners to implement this campaign with us this year, as well as encourage new organizations to join it. 

Please contact Joanna Sosnowska-Orynska at joanna.sosnowska@mfc.org.pl to learn more and become a partner.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

In October we will be also running Borrow Wisely Campaign. Join us!​

FIND OUT MORE

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

27th MFC Annual Conference Through Highlight Video, Remarkable Images and Media Coverage

The 27th MFC Annual Conference took place in the historic city of Tbilisi, Georgia, from 27 to 29 May 2025. With the support of the Georgian Association of Microfinance Institutions, the event convened 445 professionals representing microfinance institutions, investors, regulators, development partners, and technology providers from more than 40 countries.

Under the theme Shifts, Shocks and Solutions: Microfinance in the Shadow of Geopolitics, the conference provided a platform to reflect on how global disruptions – ranging from armed conflict and economic instability to climate change and digital transformation – are reshaping the future of inclusive finance. Discussions focused on the implications of these challenges for low-income populations, micro and small enterprises, and the institutions that serve them.

The opening sessions set the tone for honest reflection on the fragility of cross-border financing and the urgent need for institutional resilience. The CEO Forum, held in a closed setting, enabled leaders to engage in frank dialogue around strategic priorities and emerging risks, particularly in volatile regions.

Climate change emerged as one of the most urgent concerns. Panels explored climate-smart finance, sustainable agriculture, and the role of MFIs in building environmental resilience. There was consensus that microfinance institutions need to evolve into agents of climate adaptation, especially for rural and underserved populations. Advances in data analytics and agri-tech were also presented as promising tools for more sustainable and inclusive farming.

Digital transformation was another key theme. Conference participants examined the growing role of artificial intelligence in credit scoring, the implementation of mobile-first service models, and innovations in core banking infrastructure. While technology offers powerful opportunities to scale inclusion, several sessions highlighted the importance of ensuring that digital tools are accessible and equitable, particularly for digitally excluded communities. The role of public digital infrastructure in enabling true financial inclusion was a recurring point of emphasis.

The ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) agenda was also featured prominently. Panelists discussed how MFIs can embed ESG principles into daily operations – from risk management and impact reporting to governance and transparency. Participants agreed that ESG considerations are no longer optional but must be treated as core to mission-aligned finance.

Inclusive finance remained at the heart of the discussions, with sessions dedicated to gender-lens investing, youth entrepreneurship, and community-driven innovation. Presentations from institutions across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus region illustrated the potential of localized solutions to achieve systemic impact.

One of the conference highlights was a high-level regulatory roundtable hosted by MFC. This session brought together representatives from the National Bank of Georgia, the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan, alongside microfinance associations from across the ECA region. The group exchanged insights on recent developments, including Azerbaijan’s newly adopted Strategic Framework for Microfinance, Georgia’s forthcoming microfinance legislation (expected in 2025), and green finance and gender-focused initiatives underway in Kyrgyzstan. The discussion concluded with a commitment to deeper collaboration and continued policy dialogue to advance a supportive regulatory environment across the region.

Beyond the formal sessions, the conference fostered meaningful connections through networking meetups, an investor and fintech market fair, a cocktail reception, and a gala dinner. Attendees left with new partnerships, shared insights, and renewed motivation to drive positive change.

According to the post-event survey, 90% of participants rated the speakers as highly professional, 77% found the content directly relevant to their work, and 95% felt they had sufficient opportunities for networking and peer exchange.

In summary, the 27th MFC Annual Conference was more than a convening – it was a call to action. As the microfinance sector continues to navigate an increasingly complex global context, the discussions in Tbilisi underscored the need for innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to inclusive growth. The road ahead may be uncertain, but with strategic foresight and collective leadership, the microfinance community is well positioned to adapt and lead.

The event was made possible through the generous support of JSC MFO Crystal, Fimple, Finance Ltd, MFX Solutions, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, Q-Lana (CEFINI), Agents for Impact, EFSE, Global Gender-Smart Fund, Mastercard, Aspekt, responsAbility Investments AG, Kyia.ai, zypl.ai, Credo Bank, and MicroEurope.

See more remarkable images from the 27th Annual Conference

Join Our 27 August Info Meeting and Partner with Us in Autumn Campaigns: Borrow Wisely & Senior Entrepreneurship

The Microfinance Centre invites all microfinance institutions − especially MFC members − to take part in our upcoming autumn campaigns promoting responsible finance and inclusive entrepreneurship.

Borrow Wisely Campaign October 2025

Now in its 11th year, the Borrow Wisely Campaign continues to promote responsible borrowing practices among micro-entrepreneurs across Europe and Central Asia.

By participating, MFIs can highlight their commitment to customer protection and responsible lending, strengthening both their reputation and the broader microfinance sector.

Senior Entrepreneurship & Self-Employment Campaign 2025

In response to demographic trends across the EU and OECD, and building on findings from the Missing Entrepreneurs report, MFC and its partners will launch a campaign highlighting the role of microfinance in supporting senior entrepreneurs (aged 50–64).

The online campaign will feature data insights and real-life success stories, showing how microfinance can empower older adults to remain economically active through self-employment and entrepreneurship.

Previous campaigns − Microfinance for Female Entrepreneurship and Microfinance for Youth Entrepreneurship − have demonstrated the strong visibility and impact this initiative can deliver.

To learn how your organization can get involved, join our information meeting on August 27th (Wednesday) at 11:00 AM (Warsaw time) on Zoom platform.

Thank you for being part of the 27th MFC Annual Conference!

Thank you for joining us in Tbilisi for the 27th MFC Annual Conference – Shifts, Shocks and Solutions: Microfinance in the Shadow of Geopolitics, held on 27–29 May 2025.

We’re really grateful you decided to spend these few days with us — sharing your ideas, experiences, and helping create an atmosphere that was open, engaging and full of energy.

Conferences are never just about the sessions — they’re about the people who make them special. This year, your participation helped create important conversations, connections and insights that made the event better for everyone. We hope you’re leaving with new relationships, useful takeaways, and a stronger sense of purpose.

27th MFC Annual Conference Highlights:

• Over 470 attendees from 40+ countries
• 20 sessions 
• 50+ speakers, including two special guest speakers: Natia Turnava, Chair of the Board, National Bank of Georgi and Manas Chawla, Founder of London Politica
• A record number of 50+ sponsors, investors, and donors
• 1000+ meetings scheduled via the new MFC Mobile & Web Application

We Value Your Feedback

To help us continue improving, we’d greatly appreciate your input. Please take a few minutes to complete our post-event survey — your feedback is essential to shaping the future of MFC events.

We’ll be sharing presentations, recordings, and photos soon — keep an eye on your inbox and the MFC website.

Big thank you to all partners

We are grateful for the support of the conference sponsors and partners.

Honorary Patronage:
🌟 National Bank of Georgia

Silver Partners:
🌟 BlueOrchard Finance Ltd
🌟 responsAbility Investments AG
🌟 Bank CRYSTAL

Bronze Partners:
🌟Finance in Motion
🌟 European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE)
🌟 Kiya.ai
🌟 MFX Currency Risk Solutions Solutions

Cocktail Reception Partner:
🌟 კრედო ბანკი / Credo Bank

Networking Lunch Presenter:
🌟 Mastercard

Tech Partner:
🌟Fimple

Impact Management Partner:
🌟 Agents for Impact

Other Partners:

🌟 Georgian Microfinance Association
🌟 Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
🌟 Q-Lana Inc
🌟 Aspekt
🌟 Triple Jump
🌟 Global Gender-Smart Fund (GGSF)
🌟 MicroEurope
🌟 zypl.ai

Media Partner:
🌟 FinDev Gateway

To learn more about our sponsors, partners, and esteemed speakers, visit: https://2025.mfc.org.pl/partners/

Summary: Borrow Wisely and Microfinance for Youth Entrepreneurs Campaigns 2024

In 2024, the Microfinance Centre conducted two key campaigns: Borrow Wisely and Microfinance for Youth Entrepreneurs.

Borrow Wisely, held from October 1-31, promoted global client protection standards. Led by Microfinance Centre and its members, the campaign educated microentrepreneurs, farmers and their families on wise borrowing and avoiding excessive debt.

Microfinance for Youth Entrepreneurship, running from November 1 to December 5, highlighted the microfinance sector’s role in empowering young entrepreneurs, aiming at building the visibility of the sector at the national and regional level. It featured insights from the “Missing Entrepreneurs 2023“ report (approved by the OECD’s Co-operative Action Programme on Local Employment and Economic Development Directing Committee and by the OECD’s Committee for SMEs and Entrepreneurship by written procedure on 6 November 202), which examined government policies to unlock entrepreneurial potential in under-represented groups such as women, youth, seniors, the unemployed, immigrants, and people with disabilities.

Success stories from clients of various microfinance institutions were also shared.

In 2024, we partnered with 19 organizations from 7 European markets.

Collectively, these partners reached more than 1 518 109 individuals through online and offline channels.

Partners 2024

•  3Bank, Serbia

• Prima Finantare, Moldova
• Microinvest, Moldova
• Vitas30, Romania
• Partner, Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Fondi Besa, Albania
• Microsmart, Greece
• Horizonti, Macedonia
• Mi-Bospo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
• AMFI, Bosnia & Herzegovina
• FedInvest, Albania
• EKI, Bosnia & Herzegovina
• IUTE, Albania
• NOA, Albania
• BCR Social Finance IFN, Romania
• Agro and Social Fund, Albania
• Moznosti, Macedonia
• AMA, Albania
• Kredo, Albania

Discover the Key Social Finance Trends of 2024

We share the Key Trends in  Microfinance and Social Finance Sector of 2024! Our concise yet comprehensive report covers:

• Public sector engagement
• ESG for social economy
• Innovation
• Technology and finance

We’ve meticulously tracked and analyzed the novelties, practices, and discussions from practitioners, national sectors, and at the EU level. Don’t miss out on the best practices and new solutions that are defining this year’s crucial content.

Let’s make 2025 more innovative, diverse, and greener!

2024: What a Year!

As 2025 is already underway, we take a moment to reflect on MFC’s incredible journey in 2024 and extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners and friends for empowering communities across Europe and Central Asia through sustainable finance.

We wish you resilience and success in the face of challenges this year. Together, let’s make 2025 more innovative, diverse, and greener!

Here are some standout highlights from MFC’s 2024:

• 26th MFC Annual Conference in Krakow: Hosted 127 microfinance and social enterprise finance institutions, 12 microfinance national associations, 28 investors, 13 consultancies, 9 policymakers and regulators, and 5 IT and digital service providers from Europe and Central Asia.
• Social Finance Vibe Virtual Conference: Attracted 422 participants from over 70 countries during an impactful 2-day event.
• CEE Social Economy Forum in Vienna: For the first time, this forum gathered policymakers, ESF+ managing authorities, national promotional banks, microfinance and social finance providers, impact investors, and experts from the EC, EIB Group, and Council of Europe Development Bank. MFC proudly co-organized and played a pivotal role in this landmark event.
• SIFTA Success: A very productive year with 40 events organized under the Social Inclusive Finance Technical Assistance (SIFTA) program, including 20 webinars and workshops, 20 tailored services, and 970 participants.
• Transform Together Fund (TTF) Project: Partnered with Cerise+SPTF we granted 8 social finance organizations to support innovative projects in digital and green areas.
• Advocacy Milestones: Strong representation at key events, including the European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks and Financiers’ Annual Conference in Ireland, and significant meetings with representatives of the European Commission (DG EMPL, DG NEAR, and DG ECFIN). These efforts, alongside partners like the European Microfinance Network and Social Economy Europe, furthered our mission for a fairer and more sustainable economic future.
• The Way to Business Program: Successfully completed, enabling female refugees from Ukraine to start businesses or restart their careers in Poland.
• Borrow Wisely and Microfinance for Youth Entrepreneurship Campaigns: Partnered with 19 microfinance organizations across 7 European markets, reaching over 1.5 million people through online and offline channels.
• Representation at Partner Conferences: MFC played a strong role at the MicroBalkans and Azerbaijan Microfinance Association events.
• European Microfinance Day Campaign: Culminated in Brussels with MFC’s representation by council members Martina Grigorova (SIS Credit, Bulgaria) and Elma Zukic (AMFI, Bosnia and Herzegovina), alongside Network and Partnership Manager, Pavol Kapsdorfer.
• European Microfinance Week: Delivered impactful sessions on financial inclusion for refugees, showcasing MFC’s expertise and network.
• Key Publications and Surveys: Released groundbreaking reports, including Microfinance in Europe: Survey Report (2023 Edition), Social Finance Trends 2024, Microfinance in the Caucasus and Central Asia: 2024 Edition, and Green Paper: Supporting Micro and Small Entrepreneurs for a Fair Green Transition.
• Green Leadership: MFC’s CEO, Katarzyna Pawlak, joined the Barcelona Action Circle on Post-growth Finance as an expert in sustainable finance and microfinance.
• Team Retreat: A reset and brainstorming session for the MFC team in Kowalewice.

2025: Let’s take small steps toward meaningful change, together!

#Microfinance #SocialEconomy #InclusiveFinance #SustainableDevelopment #MFC2024Highlights #BestMFCMoments #SIFTA

Happy Holiday Season

Wishing you light, love, and moments of relaxation during this holiday season. May the New Year bring a more inclusive, greener, and fairer world for all.

We look forward to achieving even greater milestones together in the coming year.

Happy Holidays and an Innovative New Year from all of us at the Microfinance Centre!

Thank you for Social Finance Vibe 2024

We’ve wrapped up an incredible 2 days of Social Finance Vibe filled with insights, inspiration and collaboration. From speakers and sponsors to attendees, we extend our gratitude for your invaluable support and active participation.

Social Finance Vibe 2024 Highlights:

• Over 400 attendees from 70+ countries
• 26 sessions and over 60 expert speakers
• Two organizations honored in the Green Recognition Ceremony: Faer (Romania), Credal (Belgium)
• Inspiring talks by keynote speakers: Andriana Sukova (Deputy Director General of DG Employment at the European Commission), Timothy Ogden (Managing Director at the Financial Access Initiative at New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service)and Archil Bakuradze (Chairman of JSC MFO Crystal and MFC Council Chairman).
• Focus on 3 key themes: social economy, client diversity and exploration of megatrends

Recordings of all sessions will be available on our website soon.

Thank you for helping make Social Finance Vibe 2024 special. We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn, connect and strengthen the visibility of the social economy and microfinance sectors with you.

We look forward to seeing you at future events.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

Microfinance for Youth Entrepreneurship Campaign 2024

The Microfinance Centre (MFC) is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for young people to start their own businesses and is launching the Microfinance for Youth Entrepreneurship Campaign 2024. Together with its partners, MFC aims to spotlight the essential role of the microfinance sector in empowering young entrepreneurs. This campaign will share key insights from the recent publication Missing Entrepreneurs 2023 and highlight success stories from various microfinance institutions across Europe.

Through this initiative, MFC will expand its reach to engage microfinance stakeholders and underscore the sector’s critical role in supporting youth entrepreneurship. According to Missing Entrepreneurs 2023, around 40% of young people in the EU, aged 15 to 30, aspire to be self-employed. However, barriers such as limited entrepreneurial skills, constrained networking opportunities, and restricted access to finance continue to hinder young people’s ability to start businesses or become self-employed, despite increased support.

Ewa Bankowska, MFC Deputy Director, stated: The Microfinance Centre and its partners have supported the ‘missing entrepreneurs’ for over 2 years. By sharing success stories and building awareness, we advocate for microfinance as a vital bridge for young entrepreneurs facing financial barriers. Last year’s campaign highlighted the role of microfinance in supporting female entrepreneurship and this year, we’re focusing on youth. Notably, 89% of European MFIs already finance young entrepreneurs’ ventures. Our mission is to boost young entrepreneurship internationally through microfinancing.

The Missing Entrepreneurs 2023 is the seventh edition in a series of biennial reports examining how government policies can release untapped entrepreneurial potential from under-represented parts of the population of impactful entrepreneurs, including women, youth, seniors, the unemployed, immigrants and people with disabilities.

Participating organizations include:

• 3Bank
• Prima Finantare
• Microinvest
• Vitas30
• Partner
• Fondi Besa
• Microsmart
• Mi-Bospo
• AMFI
• FedInvest
• EKI
• NOA
• BCR Social Finance IFN
• Moznosti
• Agro and Social Fund
• AMA
• Kredo

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

The Missing Entrepreneurs 2023 is the seventh edition in a series of biennial reports examining how government policies can release untapped entrepreneurial potential from under-represented parts of the population of impactful entrepreneurs, including women, youth, seniors, the unemployed, immigrants and people with disabilities. It offers comparative data on the entrepreneurship activities and the barriers faced by each group across OECD and European Union countries. It takes a deep dive into the effectiveness of youth entrepreneurship schemes and the design of welfare bridge schemes for business creation by job seekers. It also contains country profiles for each of the 27 EU Member States showing the major recent trends in diversity in entrepreneurship and the current state and evolution of policy for each country.

Borrow Wisely Campaign 2024

How much is safe to borrow? What will I really pay for a loan? Can I spot legal pitfalls? How do I avoid losing money? These are the essential questions at the heart of the Borrow Wisely campaign. This year marks the 10th edition of this international financial education initiative, led by the Microfinance Center (MFC) in partnership with 14 organizations across Europe. The campaign aims to help clients borrow money safely, avoid over-indebtedness, and build a trustworthy reputation for the microfinance sector.

What is the “Borrow Wisely” Campaign?

The “Borrow Wisely” campaign promotes global client protection standards. Led annually by the Microfinance Center and its partners − responsible lenders committed to building a trustworthy microfinance sector − the campaign seeks to educate clients on borrowing wisely and avoiding the pitfalls of excessive debt.

Empowering Borrowers to Make Informed Choices

The campaign’s goal is to help clients understand that the power to borrow wisely is in their hands. By asking the right questions, borrowers can avoid the risks of over-indebtedness and make well-informed decisions about how much they can safely borrow.

Why Microfinance Institutions Join Forces

For over 30 years, microfinance institutions have been committed to protecting their clients by promoting responsible borrowing practices. This campaign reinforces the importance of client protection, helping to prevent over-indebtedness and empowering clients to make informed financial decisions. By working together, microfinance institutions ensure they continue to serve their clients effectively while upholding international standards for responsible lending.

What We Do

The campaign reaches out to clients and potential clients of microfinance institutions through posters, leaflets, brochures and social media communicating the importance of borrowing wisely. A simple “pre-loan” checklist of questions helps ensure that clients borrow within safe and responsible limits.

Ewa Bankowska, MFC Deputy Director, said: Microfinance acknowledges its partners for their dedication to promoting the Borrow Wisely Campaign and achieving significant results over the years. Last year alone, we reached an audience of approximately 2,423,487 individuals through a blend of online and traditional communication methods. At the Microfinance Center, collaboration is key, and together with our 14 partners, we are making a more substantial impact in promoting responsible borrowing practices.

Campaign Partners 2024:

• Prima Finantare, Moldova
• Microinvest. Moldova
• Vitas, Romania
• Partner,  Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Fondi Besa, Albania
• Mi-Bospo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• AMFI, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• FED Invest, Albania
• EKI, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• IUTE, Albania
• NOA, Albania
• Microsmart, Greece
• Horizonti, Macedonia
• Moznosti, Macedonia
• Agro & Social Fund, Albania
• The Albanian Microfinance Association, Albania
• Kredo, Albania

Celebrating the Resounding Success of the 26th MFC Annual Conference Through Remarkable Images

The Microfinance Centre (MFC) is proud to announce the resounding success of the 26th MFC Annual Conference Embracing Diversity for Inclusive Finance. Held on May 14-15, 2024, in Cracow, Poland, the event gathered approximately 400+ participants from 39 countries, creating a dynamic atmosphere for insightful dialogue and networking.

The conference attracted the microfinance providers from 127 microfinance and social enterprise finance providers, 12 microfinance national associations, 28 investors, 13 consultancies, 9 policymakers and regulators, and 5 IT & digital services providers.

Attendees highlighted key aspects of the event: 64% valued meeting potential business partners, 61% found the sessions highly informative, and 71% appreciated the relevance of the sessions to their work and the professionalism of the speakers. Furthermore, 89% of participants felt they had ample time to engage with other participants, leading to numerous significant connections and discussions (*).

The conference featured a diverse array of sessions addressing pressing issues in microfinance. Participants engaged in thought-provoking conversations led by industry experts and thought leaders, exploring topics such as pathways to inclusive finance, innovative approaches to climate change, leveraging technology for greater financial inclusion, ESG reporting as a catalyst for microfinance transformation and the intersection of finance and social impact. Sessions underscored microfinance’s role in empowering vulnerable entrepreneurs, navigating trends in inclusive finance, and harnessing artificial intelligence for diverse and inclusive microfinance.

The Microfinance Center had privilege of hosting distinguished speakers and moderators, including Cristina Dumitrescu from European Investment Fund (Luxembourg), Surjit Chana from Beneficial State Bank (United States), Florian Ott from Erste Group Bank AG (Germany), Elvina Garayeva from Incofin Investment Management (Belgium), Brigitte Fellahi-Brognaux from European Commission, DG EMPL  (Belgium), and many more esteemed experts (the full list of speakers is on:  www.2024mfc.org). Their insightful presentations and expertise greatly enriched the conference.

During the conference, MFC hosted a landmark roundtable with representatives from the National Banks of Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, alongside delegates from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and International Finance Corporation (IFC). Participants deliberated on strategies to promote sustainable growth in the microfinance industry, with a focus on financial stability and consumer protection. Regulators discussed addressing challenges within their respective countries, while ADB and IFC representatives shared their extensive experiences, offering valuable advice on regulatory frameworks.

The roundtable concluded with a commitment to ongoing knowledge sharing and policy discussions aimed at fostering a supportive regulatory environment. A subsequent networking lunch furthered opportunities for dialogue and collaboration, including additional representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and national microfinance associations.

The MFC Annual Conference provides a unique opportunity to establish new partnerships between funders and social finance providers. Each year, we are happy to welcome new stakeholders joining the MFC family – remarked Archil Bakuradze, MFC Council Chairman and Chair of the Supervisory Board at JSC MFO Crystal, Georgia.

Ewa Bańkowska, MFC Deputy Director emphasized:  The microfinance sector continues to diversify by welcoming new types of financial providers, funders, but most importantly by expanding the outreach to vulnerable groups such as migrants or social enterprises. The diverse and dynamic interactions during the conference underscored the importance of embracing diversity to achieve financial inclusivity.

The conference was generously supported by sponsors: European Investment Fund (EIF),  responsAbility Investments AG, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, BlueOrchard, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, Finance in Motion, The European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) and partners:  Agents for Impact GmbH, Accion, Aspekt, Incofin, Triple Jump, Polish Bank Association, CGAP’s FinDev Gateway.

See more remarkable images from the Annual Conference

About Microfinance Centre (MFC):  

The MFC is a social finance network that champions fairness, inclusion, equality, and responsible service. It unites over 130 organizations across 36 countries in Europe and Central Asia, collectively delivering responsible microfinance services to nearly 2,000,000 low-income clients. Together with our members – microfinance, financial cooperative systems, social finance banks, social investors, academic institutions, national and international support organizations and networks – we seek to make financial services work effectively for people, communities and the planet by embracing sustainability good practices and standards, sharing knowledge, advocacy and networking in the region of Europe and Central Asia.

END

Contact Information:

Joanna Sosnowska-Orynska, Communications Coordinator at MFC

Email: joanna.sosnowska@mfc.org.pl

(*) According to evaluation survey results

Watch SIFTA Webinar: AI powered solutions for SEFPs – Responsible AI, Machine Learning and Practical Use Cases for Microfinance and Social Finance Institutions

Our Experts

Andre Kravchenko – Senior Vice President of Business Development at HES FinTech

Andre Kravchenko is the Senior Vice President of Business Development at HES FinTech. In this role, Andre is responsible for the development of strategic partnerships in the financial services ecosystem, working with legacy and fintech lending institutions on driving digital transformation, innovation and financial inclusion, powered by AI and Machine Learning. Andre is also the Head of Fintech Capital Solutions Advisory at HES FinTech, bringing over a decade worth of debt and equity capital markets experience and extensive transactional track record in the impact investment space.

Gift Mahubo – Senior Director, Operations and Technology, Accion Advisory

Gift Mahubo manages the delivery of data-centered and tech-enabled services to our global partners. Gift joined Accion in 2011 and brings more than 20 years of experience working in the areas of technology, digital strategy, process automation and digital product implementation. Prior to joining the organization, he served as Chief Information Officer for Accion partner Accion Microfinance Bank. Gift holds an MBA from National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe and a degree in electronic engineering, and is certified in IT governance, information security, auditing, compliance and project management.

Mark Rudak – Machine Learning Product Owner, GiniMachine

Mark Rudak holds the position of Machine Learning Product Owner at HES Fintech, where he plays a key role in the planning and development of a cutting-edge machine learning-based platform – GiniMachine, a no-code AI solution for Data Driven Decisioning.
With a deep understanding of the industry landscape, Mark is a driving force behind the transition towards responsible deployment of AI and strategic utilization of alternative data sources.

Our partners

Watch SIFTA Webinar: How to analyze social enterprises – Demystifying Financing Social Enterprise: Analysis, Risks & Rewards

Our Experts

Teresa Zagrodzka – senior expert in the field of financing social enterprises as well as being a professional advisor and trainer for the NGOs sector.

She headed the Social Economy department in TISE – Polish microfinance institution which implemented pilot program: preferential loans for social enterprises in Poland, then continued with the developed financial instruments for these entities also in other countries: Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary.  As an expert, trainer and adviser she participated in the project creating the social enterprises’ support ecosystem in North Macedonia in terms of reinforcement already existing entities, encouraging potential partners to finance them (including loans, donations, contracts).

In the role of MB member or financial director she was and still is in charge of finance management in few organizations that run economic activity.

She wrote many articles and publications on finance management, basic accountancy for non-accountants, dedicated to NGO managers. She is also co-author of manual on an innovative social impact bonds concept, report on financial sources for innovative projects in Poland or several reports on the Macedonian social entrepreneurship needs, condition and development directions.

Beata Biela – Advocacy Manager.

Beata has professional experience both in social economy sector and in business entities. She worked in TISE within social economy division both in grating loans to social economy entities and in Social Venture Capital. Before that she worked in Caritas Somalia in Africa, at Finance Commission of Caritas Internationalis in Rome, PAH. In the past, she worked in business entities like PKN Orlen (capital investments), PKP (capital group controlling), Pfeifer&Langen – previously BSO Polska (controlling and business development), Ernst&Young (due diligence, corporate finance, audit). She graduated from Warsaw School of Economics in the line of Finance and Banking as well as Management and Marketing. She also completed postgraduate studies of Geopolitics and Geostrategy, Global Development, MBA. She is a CFA charterholder.

Our partners

Watch SIFTA Webinar: How to give employees constructive feedback

Our Experts

Bożena Olszewska, Servant Leadership trainer, coach and emphatic communication trainer

Bożena for over 15 years has been practicing the use of modern forms of education such as coaching, career counselling, Career Compass and behavioral style profiling. 
She supports people and organizations in following and discovering direction and empowering strategies that flow from their values and needs. 
Throughout her career, she has been in charge of distribution, developing contractor networks and sourcing new markets in Europe, Asia and the USA. At the same time, she led groups and teams in non profit organizations. She also supports artistic communities, aimed at the personal development of artists. 

Our partners

FEBEA and MFC Join Forces to Strengthen Microfinance and Ethical Finance in Europe

Microfinance Centre (MFC) and European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks (FEBEA) are thrilled to announce their strategic partnership, aimed at advancing the cause of microfinance and ethical finance in Europe. This collaboration will focus on policy and advocacy activities, communication, and events to promote these vital tools for the development of the Social Economy in Europe. 

By actively engaging in EU policy discussions, working together on European Financial Instruments, and addressing common challenges in relationships with European Institutions and stakeholders, FEBEA and MFC seek to create a stronger and more unified voice for microfinance and ethical finance within Europe. 

As two leading organizations in their respective fields, FEBEA and MFC bring extensive expertise and networks that will greatly benefit their customer bases and the wider community. This partnership will provide an opportunity to drive positive change, foster innovation, and strengthen the impact of microfinance and ethical finance on social and economic development. 

As part of this collaboration, FEBEA and MFC have established a framework partnership agreement, outlining their shared objectives and areas of cooperation. This agreement will serve as a solid foundation for their joint efforts and ensure a coordinated approach towards achieving their common goals. 

Both organizations are excited about the opportunities this partnership will bring and are committed to working together to drive positive change and support the growth of microfinance and ethical finance in Europe. 

About Microfinance Centre (MFC):  

A social finance network that promotes fairness, inclusion, equality and responsible service. MFC unites over 120 organisations across 36 countries of Europe, Central Asia, who together deliver responsible microfinance services to almost 2,000,000 low-income clients. 

About FEBEA – European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks and Financiers: 

A non-profit association based in Brussels gathering 33 members whose aim is to finance social and solidarity economy (SSE) and projects with social, environmental and cultural value in 17 European countries, serving more than 700,000 people. Its objective is to support the exchange of experiences and promote cooperation between social economy and social finance practitioners. 

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

Setting up financial instruments supporting migrant integration.

Practical guide part 1

This fi-compass practical guide aims to assist Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (AMIF) Managing Authorities and other stakeholders as they begin exploring the use of financial instruments to support third-country nationals’ integration in the EU. It explains how shared management financial instruments work and who can benefit from their support. The guide covers advantages of using financial instruments, implementation options, opportunities to combine grants and financial instruments, key stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities and well as key milestones in the financial instrument lifecycle.

Read the publication

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

Watch Webinar: MFC and Tech to the Rescue

As you may already know, MFC and Tech To The Rescue (TTTR) – a global platform that connects nonprofits with tech companies – have established a cooperation in August this year. The goal of this cooperation is to assist and support MFC Members in their digital transformation to help them achieve their mission and vision more effectively and efficiently.

As part of this cooperation, we are inviting you to a webinar on how MFC Members can benefit from TTTR collaboration systems.

During this webinar, you will learn about:

• What are TTTR’s goals, who are TTTR’s partners
• What is the nonprofit organization journey with TTTR- process explanation of how to register and submit a project and what the crucial elements of well-written projects are
• Examples of solutions and available technologies.
• Q&A session

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

Green Index 3.0: case studies for each Essential Practice

Read the case studies which illustrate how the Green Index framework can be useful to the institutions looking for learning about good practices in green inclusive finance and willing to share their own good practices.

The “Green Essential Practices Case Studies Series” highlights the experience of Financial Service Providers (FSPs) with good practices in the 8 key areas identified in the Green Index 3.0. The Case studies under this series offer practical examples of how an FSP developed its practices to inspire and facilitate the journey of others.

The 8 Green Essential Practices (EPs) provide a roadmap for FSPs to maximise their green impact:

EP1: Define their environmental strategy	Assilassimé Solidarité (Togo)      Chamroeun (Cambodia)
EP2: Implement their environmental strategy	Fortune Credit (Kenya)      Fundación Génesis Empresarial (Guatemala)
EP3: Identify client or portfolio-level environmental risks and opportunities	COMUBA (Benin)      Bancamia (Colombia)
EP4: Identify institutional-level environmental risks and opportunities	Tamweelcom (Jordan)      CACMU (Equador)
EP5: Manage client or portfolio-level environmental risks and opportunities	Caurie MF (Senegal)      Muktinath (Nepal)
EP6: Manage institutional-level environmental risks and opportunities	RENACA (Benin)      Banfondesa (Dominican Republic)
EP7: Offer green financial products and services	Pula (Global)      Annapurna (India)
EP8: Offer green non-financial products and services	ASKI (Philippines)

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

Difficult Clients. Who are they?

On 11 May 2026, MFC, in partnership with the Polish Association of Loan Funds, organised an online workshop: “Difficult Clients. Negotiations”.

The workshop attracted 103 representatives from loan funds across Poland. Participants engaged in interactive sessions, working through practical case studies based on an in-depth agenda covering relationship building, effective communication, and closing negotiations.

We extend our sincere thanks to all participants for their active involvement and to our trainer Piotr Kubiak for expertly guiding the group. 

Launch of the Microfinance Advocacy Committee 

We are pleased to announce that the Microfinance Centre and the European Microfinance Network  are launching a new Microfinance Advocacy Committee, jointly chaired by both networks. 

We are looking for candidates of MFC and EMN member organisations working on microfinance in the European Union to join the new Microfinance Advocacy Committee. We are looking for committed practitioners who wish to actively contribute to strengthening the sector’s advocacy strategies and activities. 

The Microfinance Advocacy Committee aims to reinforce advocacy efforts in the microfinance sector by: 

• sharing expertise and practical experience, 

• providing feedback, and 

• developing common strategies. 

It also seeks to improve communication, impact and visibility of the sector by fostering dialogue with policymakers and representing the sector’s needs with evidence. 

Objectives of the Committee 

The Committee will: 

• build common positions on the sector’s main concerns and challenges, 

• increase visibility of microfinance and its results, and 

• strengthen collaboration between practitioners, policymakers, and public investors. 

More details on the Committee’s purpose, objectives, composition, functioning, and selection process can be found in the Terms of Reference. 

Application deadline: 11 May 2026 

We strongly encourage interested members to apply and contribute to strengthening the collective voice of the microfinance sector in Europe, by submitting CV along with the completed application form to Beata@mfc.org.pl and m.vial@european-microfinance.org.

NextGen Entrepreneurs Day in Sofia attracts 130+ participants 

The NextGen Entrepreneurs Day forum, held at the GATE Institute in Sofia, brought together 130 participants from across Bulgaria’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The event focused on empowering young entrepreneurs and supporting the transition of innovative ideas into market‑ready solutions, with particular attention to skills development, access to finance and the role of partnerships in building a sustainable innovation environment.

Discussions addressed practical pathways for early‑stage entrepreneurs, including entrepreneurial competencies, funding opportunities and the interaction between public support instruments and private investment. The programme highlighted how targeted financial tools and ecosystem cooperation can contribute to scaling innovation and strengthening Bulgaria’s entrepreneurial landscape.

The forum was organised with the support of the European Commission, the European Investment Bank’s InvestEU programme and the SIFTA Programme, together with a strong network of partners, including SIS Credit, Fund of Funds, the Bulgarian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Sofia University, The Next Gen Speaks podcast, and Microfinance Centre.

Contributions from speakers and participants provided concrete insights into current challenges and opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs, reinforcing the importance of continued collaboration across institutions, investors and support organisations.

Social Economy Action Plan’s Mid‑Term Review: Key Messages for Microfinance

The European Commission has published the mid‑term review of the Social Economy Action Plan (SEAP), taking stock of progress since 2021 and outlining priorities for the next phase. The review confirms that the social economy has become a pillar of resilience, inclusion and competitiveness in the EU, while underlining that access to finance remains a significant bottleneck for social economy organisations.  

For microfinance and inclusive finance actors, the review is particularly relevant, as it confirms continued EU policy, financial and regulatory support and enumerates actions directly affecting the microfinance ecosystem. 

The Commission data confirms that microfinance is important EU instrument for social inclusion and entrepreneurship, embedded in InvestEU’s Social Investment and Skills Window (SISW): Since 2022, around EUR 1.2 billion in EU guarantees have been allocated for microfinance, social entrepreneurship and social impact investing, with an expected mobilisation of EUR 11.7 billion in investments.  

The review also highlights strong evidence of impact: EU‑supported guarantees have already benefited around 90,000 microfinance recipients, with reporting from microfinance institutions showing extremely high business survival rates while reaching to vulnerable groups.  

The Commission also reports piloting blended finance approaches, combining InvestEU financial instruments with grants from the EaSI strand of ESF+. This is particularly relevant for providers serving higher‑risk clients.  

One of the important forward‑looking commitments of the Commission is to revise the European Code of Good Conduct for Microcredit Provision. The updated Code will aim to: 

• Strengthen the social dimension of microfinance 

• Align the framework with new realities in the social economy 

• Make certification more accessible, efficient and supportive of diverse institutional models  

The Commission also announces plan for a pilot assessment of impact and outcomes at beneficiary level of InvestEU financial instruments for microfinance and social enterprises, signalling a stronger focus on outcomes and impact, not only volumes.  

The Commission also plan to prepare a report under the InvestEU Advisory Hub on financial intermediaries serving social economy organisations and, with support of Expert Group on Social Economy and Social Enterprises (GECES), on improving access to finance for social economy organisations.  

As the EU moves into the next phase of SEAP implementation and prepares future EU budgets, the review makes clear that microfinance remains important for delivering inclusive growth, social innovation and territorial cohesion across Europe. 

European Microfinance Day 2026: Strengthening Microfinance for the Next Multiannual Financial Framework 

On April 16, 2026, the Microfinance Centre, alongside the European Commission (DG EMPL), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Microfinance Network (EMN), hosted European Microfinance Day in Brussels with 134 attendees.  

Organized as a fi-compass event, the day brought together policymakers, microfinance providers and experts to reinforce the sector’s role in achieving EU and national social and economic goals. 

The key topics covered: 

• A regional spotlight on the Benelux countries provided real-world examples of ground-level implementation and challenges presented by MFIs and final recipients of microfinance support. 

• Strategic Policy Alignment on microfinance as a critical tool within the various EU policy frameworks including EU’s new Anti-poverty strategy. 

• Microfinance related solutions to support vulnerable groups within national policy priorities from perspective of Member States and Microfinance sector representatives identifying the policy and practical actions needed to ensure microfinance will remain effective and impactful tool of the next Multiannual Financial Framework supporting vulnerable groups. 

MFC was represented by Wojciech Stępień, CEO, Beata Biela, Advocacy Manager and Pavol Kapsdorfer, Network and Partnership Manager. 

We extend our sincere gratitude to all our members whose participation and valuable insights were essential to the success of European Microfinance Day 2026. 

For those who wish to revisit the strategic discussions during EMD 2026, we encourage to watch recordings of the EMD 2026 which will be soon released. 

Patria Credit as a Key Driver of Rural Development in Romania

A new nationwide study on the social impact of microfinance confirms that Patria Credit IFN plays a central role in fostering rural development in Romania. Financed by the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) through the InvestEU Advisory Hub, the research highlights how access to microfinance contributes not only to business growth but also to economic inclusion, household well‑being, and community resilience in underserved rural areas.

Patria Credit IFN, the oldest non‑banking financial institution dedicated to financing farmers and small businesses in Romania, emerges from the study as a cornerstone of local development. Its lending activities support disadvantaged communities by enabling investment, stabilising incomes, and strengthening social and economic participation.

Robust Methodology and National Coverage

The study was conducted at national level using a mixed‑methods research design that combined quantitative and qualitative approaches. Primary quantitative data were collected between 29 January and 1 April 2025 through a national survey of 500 Patria Credit IFN clients, ensuring a margin of error of 5%. The sample included 400 long‑term clients, with more than 24 months of collaboration with Patria Credit IFN, and 100 new clients who had received their first loan within the previous two years.

To complement the survey data, qualitative research included 39 in‑depth interviews with clients, seven interviews with loan officers, and ten interviews with local community stakeholders such as mayors and agricultural agents. Field research covered seven representative communities across Romania, including Dolj, Vâlcea, Dâmbovița, Buzău, Bacău, Sălaj, Maramureș, and Satu Mare counties. These locations expanded on the geographic scope of the first social impact study conducted in 2022, allowing for a broader and more robust national assessment.

The new study also revised and improved the social impact assessment toolkit developed in 2022, strengthening its relevance and analytical depth.

High Social Impact Performance

Applying the revised toolkit to Patria Credit IFN resulted in a score of 32 out of 36 points, classifying the institution as high performing in terms of social impact. The evaluation covered four key dimensions: financial inclusion, business development, household well‑being, and community development.

In the area of financial inclusion, the results show that Patria Credit IFN reaches clients well beyond the traditional banking system. Half of the surveyed clients rely exclusively on Patria Credit IFN for their financing needs, while 28% are unbanked. Loans are primarily directed to agriculture, with 72% used for equipment purchases, alongside land acquisition, livestock, and construction. This dimension received 10 out of 12 possible points.

Supporting Business Growth and Economic Activity

The study confirms that access to microfinance has a tangible impact on business development. Nearly half of the clients reported an increase in profits, and 96% invested in business assets over the past three years. Interestingly, newer clients demonstrated strong economic dynamism, with average monthly incomes higher than those of long‑term clients. At the same time, high operational costs and taxes were identified by 85% of respondents as the main barriers to further growth. Patria Credit IFN achieved the maximum score in this category, reflecting the strong contribution of its financial services to enterprise development.

Improving Household Well‑Being

Beyond business outcomes, the study highlights improvements in household living conditions. Almost all clients own their homes, which are increasingly equipped with modern amenities and, in some cases, renewable energy solutions. Financial resilience is also strengthening, particularly among newer clients, who show higher levels of savings. Investment in education is rising as well, with families increasingly prioritising higher education opportunities for their children. This dimension received a full score, underlining the broader social benefits of access to finance.

Strengthening Communities and Empowering Women

Community‑level effects are another key finding of the research. Although only 24% of Patria Credit IFN clients are women business owners, women are involved in 88% of the financed businesses, highlighting their essential role in family enterprises and local economies. Microfinance provided by Patria Credit IFN supports local solidarity and economic resilience, particularly in areas where job creation is still at an early stage. Ten percent of beneficiaries currently employ permanent staff, indicating potential for further employment growth. The institution scored 7 out of 9 points in this category.

Voices from the Field

“This study confirms what we see every day in the field: access to finance transforms lives and communities,” said Raluca Andreica, CEO of Patria Credit IFN. “Our clients are building stronger businesses, sending their children to higher education, and shaping a more resilient rural Romania. At Patria Credit, we are proud to expand opportunities where they are needed most.”

Tanja Faller, Director of the Technical Assessment and Monitoring Directorate at the Council of Europe Development Bank, added: “Supporting institutions that combine financial sustainability with measurable social impact is at the heart of CEB’s mandate. Patria Credit IFN is proving to be a catalyst for inclusive growth, directly advancing European priorities on the social economy and rural development.”

A Comprehensive Assessment of Microfinance Impact

By complementing the 2022 research with new data from an expanded geographic sample, this study represents one of the most comprehensive evaluations of microfinance impact in Romania to date. It demonstrates how microfinance can strengthen economic activity, improve quality of life, and empower women and youth, while also pointing to ongoing challenges such as limited job creation and the slower adoption of modern technologies in rural areas.

The study was carried out under the scientific coordination of Claudia Petrescu, Researcher at the Research Institute for Quality of Life of the Romanian Academy, and Dr. Roxana Florența Săvescu, Associate Professor at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu.

Psychological Safety in Teams: A Foundation for Trust, Innovation and Performance

Our Experts

Aneta Montano – Trainer 

Aneta is a seasoned leadership and training professional with extensive experience supporting global organizations in building high-performing, multicultural, and multigenerational teams. She has delivered leadership and development programs for prominent clients including Santander Consumer Bank, British American Tobacco, Herbalife, ING Bank, and DKMS. 

  Her leadership journey spans more than two decades across North America and Europe. While based in the United States, Aneta led numerous diverse teams. Her ability to foster inclusion and adapt her leadership style to individual, generational, and cultural needs consistently translated into exceptional business outcomes. Under her direction, her team ranked among the highest in customer satisfaction across the region. 

  Aneta further developed her international leadership credentials as Market Manager for Poland with a major retail brand, and later as Vice President at FCM Travel Solutions — a global brand under the Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG), one of the world’s largest travel companies. In her VP role, she was responsible for strengthening cross-border collaboration, improving transparency in client relationships, and aligning teams across European markets and global structures. 

 Fluent in the language of cultural nuance and organizational performance, Aneta brings a uniquely global perspective to her work. She is married to a Bolivian, has lived and worked in the United States for over a decade, and has held leadership roles in organizations based in the US and Estonia. Currently residing in Poland and spending part of the year in Spain, she continues to deliver impactful learning experiences that bridge cultures, generations, and business goals — for both organizations and students. 

Our partners

Exploring cooperation opportunities between the Red Cross and Polish microfinance institutions 

On 9 April 2026, an online meeting titled “Potential cooperation model between the Red Cross and Polish microfinance institutions” brought together stakeholders to explore opportunities for collaboration in support of vulnerable micro‑entrepreneurs.  

The meeting focused on assessing the interest of Polish microfinance institutions in cooperating with the Red Cross and potentially other social economy organisations to improve access to financing for vulnerable groups, starting with refugees benefiting from existing livelihoods and entrepreneurship support programmes.  

Participants could heard contribution from Jaime Duran Navarro from the European Commission’s Directorate‑General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), Sara Escudero, from Spanish Red Cross Delegate based in Poland, and Aleksandra Hłasko, Head of Programmes, PCK Head Office.  

The meeting was followed by a discussion on next steps and future cooperation models. We would like to thank all the speakers and participants who expressed interest in pursuing the cooperation further in the next phase. MFC will continue to support the process and facilitate further exchanges among interested stakeholders. 

MFC and EMN submitted joined feedback on fighting housing exclusion 

MFC and EMN has submitted joined feedback to the European Commission’s Have Your Say consultation on Fighting housing exclusion. Across Europe, MFIs work with people for whom housing costs are already fragile e.g. rent deposits that cannot be financed or energy bills that push budgets over the edge. 

Why this consultation matters for the microfinance sector: 

• Better links between housing and financial inclusion policies could improve prevention. 

• EU initiatives influence national frameworks in which MFIs operate 

That’s why we recommend: 

• Inclusion of microfinance in affordable housing policies 

• Strengthening EU and national level financial microfinance instruments supporting housing initiatives 

• Support for MFIs through technical assistance to design housing‑related instruments where relevant 

• Removal of regulatory barriers hindering housing loan provision at Member State level 

• Expansion of loan products to include community financing structures for clean energy solutions 

For details see: Feedback from: Microfinance Centre (MFC)