Watch SIFTA Webinar: All you need to know about ESG as a new reporting standard

29 June 2023

11:00 - 13:00

Online

Many microfinance providers are already well experienced and equipped to talk about social performance management, monitoring and reporting of social impact. Nevertheless, with newly deployed regulations and/or international standards microfinance providers should embrace a comprehensive approach to sustainable development by integrating the ESG framework. This webinar presents an opportunity to reshape and establish an enhanced economic ecosystem that benefits both society and the environment. By adopting a robust ESG framework, the gains made in development can be preserved and ensured to be lasting and sustainable. 

This webinar targets microfinance providers as well as investors, supervisory and management board members and staff from risk and compliance organizational units. The participants of the webinar will hear from CERISE+SPTF on how the microfinance providers could approach ESG risk management using their ESG tool, aimed primarily at demonstrating compliance. They will introduce their tool of 30 indicators (sub-set) from the Universal Standards, focused on ESG risks, that are aligned with key International Standards on decent work, human rights, gender equality, and environmental risks. The tool helps to satisfy ESG compliance reporting requirements, assess basic “do no harm” practices and identify gaps and make investment decisions based on risk exposure. 

During the webinar Partner MKF will share their up-to-date path of ESG system implementation into their business model and will present how ESG risk is assessed with each microcredit, procurement, and assets management. Partner decided to base it on the Universal standards for social and environmental performance and Green Index 3.0.  

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. 

Our Experts

Cécile Lapenu is the Executive Director at CERISE. Cécile held the presidency of the European Microfinance Platform (eMFP) in 2013 and is a Board member of the Social Performance Task Force (SPTF). Before joining CERISE in 2001, Cécile worked as an expert in Rural Finance for IFPRI and CIRAD. She holds a Ph.D in agricultural economics, Cécile defended her doctoral thesis in 1996 on microfinance in Indonesia.

Cerise, a French nonprofit created in 1998, pioneered the implementation of social performance management, working with committed microfinance institutions to launch the Social Performance Indicators initiative in 2001. As a social innovator, Cerise works with actors in inclusive finance, social business and impact investing to co-create social standards and social assessment tools that are free to all. Cerise also offers fee-based consultancy services to all types of impact-driven organizations, equipping them with the skills and tools they need to define and achieve their impact goals. As the developers and champions of interdependent and complementary tools and products. In 2021 Cerise formalized the cooperation with SPTF via a Memorandum of Understanding and now they operate under a common strategic plan.

Nusmir Cajic has been Procurement Manager and ESG Officer in Partner MKF from Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2008. His responsibility lies with:

  • Implementation of the ESG system
  • Developing procurement strategies
  • Asset management and planned implementation of procurement
  • Performing risk assessments on potential contracts and agreements
  • Controlling the procurement budget and promoting a culture of long-term saving on procurement costs
  • Preparing procurement reports

Partner MKF from Bosnia and Herzegovina has been successfully providing microcredit services for more than 25 years. Partner MKF belongs to the most advanced and successful microcredit providers in Europe. It supports micro-entrepreneurs, promotes women’s participation in business and offers easier access to financial services in rural areas. On the territory of the entire B&H, 300 employees provide, through network of 69 branches, quality products and technical assistance; support the growth of living standards, increase employment and encourage the transition to a market economy.

Our partners