Borrow Wisely! Financial Education Campaign

What is Borrow Wisely! Campaign?

The Borrow Wisely! promotes global client protection standards. This annual international campaign is led by the MFC and its partners. We work with any institution that is a responsible lender (complying with current global standards of client protection) working in the Europe and Central Asian region.

What is our goal?

We aim to educate large numbers of clients about how to borrow money safely, harnessing the positive power of loans and avoiding the pitfalls of too much debt.

Borrowers need understand that they have the power to borrow wisely is in their hands, and that they can avoid the risks of over-indebtedness by asking themselves key questions to get to grips with how much they can safely borrow.

Why MFIs should participate?

As an industry, our future depends on our ability to lend responsibly, and to protect against client over-indebtedness in line with international standards. Responsible lending is good for clients and good for the reputation of the industry as a whole. The campaign is an excellent opportunity to re-confirm institution customer care orientation and commitment to responsible finance.

What will we do?

The campaign targets clients and potential clients of microfinance institutions. Campaign partners’ field staff will use posters, leaflets brochures and videos to communicate the importance of borrowing wisely. We developed a simple “pre-loan” checklist of questions that clients should ask themselves before taking out a loan, to ensure that only borrow safe and responsible levels of debt. These questions are:

    • How much can I afford to borrow?
    • Do I know how much I will pay?
    • Do I fully understand the contract?
    • What should I do if I am not satisfied?
    • How to control debt?

Borrow Wisely 2021 results

Final evaluation of the 2021 BWC edition has proven to be a success once again. The figures speak for themselves:

  • 22 partners of the Campaign
  • across 13 countries in Europe and Central Asia
  • The campaign results are impressive: overall BWC partners reached 3 006 446 users through online channels of communication, and despite the difficult epidemic situation, they organized on-site events (taking care of all of the health and security measures) which united almost 18 560 attendees. 

It is worth acknowledging our partners for their efforts in promoting Borrow Wisely Campaign and highlighting that they achieved great results.

Campaign partners:
Agro&Social Fund Albania, Noa Albania, Albanian Microfinanace Association AMA, Fondi Besa Albania, EKI Bosnia and Herzegovina, Leader Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mi-Bospo Bosnia and Herzegovina, Partner Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sunrise Bosnia and Herzegovina, Amfi Bosnia and Herzegovina, SIS Credit Bulgaria, AFK Kosovo, Horizonti Macedona, Microinvest Moldova, Monte Credit Montenegro, PZFP Poland, Vitas Romania, Agroinvest Serbia, Opportunity Bank Serbia, Hope Ukraine, AMFA Azerbaijan, UCORA Armenia.

Campaign Editions

What are Borrow Wisely! Campaign 2020 results?

Final evaluation of the 2020 BWC edition results are very impressive yet inspiring:

  • 23 partners of the Campaign
  • across 154 countries in Europe and Central Asia
  • The figures are terrific: overall BWC partners reached 3 030 286 users through online channels of communication, and despite the difficult epidemic situation, they organized on-site events (taking care of all of the health and security measures) which united almost 8100 attendees. Each year the results are more and more impressive (2019 – 1 991 953 people reached online)

Read more on the 2020 edition here 

 The campaign is designed to help people think about borrowing in a more responsible way, and results reveal that we met our aim! Respondents had this to say:

  • Farm Credit is not just a lender, but also our adviser. We are always happy to have their valuable advice! – A client of Farm Credit, Armenia
  • I learned a lot of interesting things about smart borrowing, loans and how can I endanger my finances by borrowing. – A client of Sunrise, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • We received useful information which will definitely apply. Thank you for your time! – A client of MicroInvest,  Moldova

Evaluation results from 2017 show that the message is getting through:

  • 79% respondents agreed the campaign was useful for them
  • 61% respondents were able to state at least 1 advice (out of 5 key advices) of wise borrowing after the campaign
  • 91% of respondents declared that they would read the campaign materials later on

Read the complete Evaluation Report of Borrow Wisely! Campaign in 2017.

Campaign News