MICROFINANCE EVENT: 6th International Conference on Sustainable Development; September 12 – 13, 2018; Rome, Italy

Event Summary: For the sixth iteration of this event, the European Center of Sustainable Development again is inviting academics and private-sector representatives to discuss “sustainability in an holistic perspective, where environmental, cultural, economic and social concerns intersect.”

MICROFINANCE EVENT: 8th Global Housing Summit: “Breaking the Mold – New Ideas for Financing Affordable Housing”; May 29 – June 1, 2018; Washington, DC, USA

Event Summary: This event will review how technology, government policies and other factors are affecting the financing of housing for people with low incomes. The program on May 29 includes a visit to the World Bank’s headquarters and pre-conference sessions such as the

MICROFINANCE EVENT: Sanabel Annual Conference: “From Sustainable to Responsible; Our Vision Forward”; November 6 – 7, 2018; Amman, Jordan

Event Summary: Attendees at this event will explore the needs of clients of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the Arab region, including how MFIs can ensure their transactions are responsible while they expand product and service offerings to current and new clients. While the 2018 agenda has not yet been released,

MICROFINANCE EVENT: Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) Conference; June 4 – 7, 2018; Singapore

Summary of Event: This sixth iteration of this event centers on maximizing social impact in Asia through investing and philanthropy. The topics are to include “strategic philanthropy,” investing in education and healthcare, investing with a gender lens, government policy implications, and

MICROFINANCE EVENT: Africa Innovation Summit (AIS); June 6 – 8, 2018: Kigali, Rwanda

Summary of Event: The theme of this conference is facilitating development in Africa by empowering entrepreneurs across the continent. The topics include Challenges and Opportunities for Innovation in Africa; Building a Resilient and Competitive Economy for Africa’s Future; 21st Century African Cities; Financing and Scaling up

MICROFINANCE EVENT: SEEP Annual Conference: Collaboration for Impact; October 1 – 3, 2018; Arlington, Virginia, USA

Summary of Event: While the sessions on October 2 and 3 are open to the public, October 1 is a Member Day reserved for members of the SEEP Network, a US-based NGO. Many of the sessions on October 2 and 3 will fall into the following “technical tracks”: Preparing for the Future of Food; Building Resilience to

SPECIAL REPORT: $123k European Microfinance Award for Financial Inclusion Through Technology: Application Period Open Through May 23, 2018

From the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP):

The 2018 European Microfinance Award on “Financial Inclusion through Technology”

The 2018 Award intends to highlight how financial services providers can use technology innovations to expand outreach, broaden product offerings, improve the client experience, and increase operating efficiency, all guided by an unwavering focus on

MICROFINANCE EVENT: Global Sustainable Finance Conference; July 12-13, 2018; Karlsruhe, Germany

Summary of Event: The eighth iteration of this conference is intended to act as a platform to discuss “innovations in financial services and business models for sustainability” through sessions such as: (1) Transition to a Green, Digital and Sustainable Economy; and (2) Sustainable Finance for All: Powering Micro to Large Enterprises for

SPECIAL REPORT: As Application Period for 2018 European Microfinance Award Nears, e-MFP Releases 2017 European Microfinance Week Report

The European Microfinance PlatformEuropean Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) recently released its report on European Microfinance Week 2017. The next iteration of European Microfinance Week will take place from November 14 through November 16, 2018, at the Abbaye de Neumunster in Luxembourg. This event includes the presentation of the annual European Microfinance Award, which includes a cash prize of EUR 100,000 (USD 123,000). The application period for the award will open

MICROFINANCE EVENT: Financial Inclusion Summit for Practitioners in Sub-Saharan Africa; April 24 – 25, 2018; Accra, Ghana

Summary of Event: This event offers sessions on accelerating financial inclusion, financial technology, the role of donors, new products, raising capital, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Background on Organizers: The Microfinance Association is a UK-based membership NGO offering training, business development and other services. The Financial Inclusion Advocacy Center, which has offices in the UK and Ghana, seeks to provide technical support to “build the institutional strength and outreach of the microfinance sector.”

Cost: The fee to attend is

MICROFINANCE EVENT: Global Forum on Remittances, Investment and Development Asia-Pacific; May 8 – 10, 2018; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Summary of Event: This forum is intended “to showcase good practices and build partner­ships to leverage the role of remittances in countries and communities of origin towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” of the UN. The sessions on May 8 are focussed on the private sector and include topics such as de-risking, encouraging savings and the “Diaspora and impact investment.” An award ceremony will recognize organizations that are “improving transparency, speed, cost, and reliability” of remittances. The second day is more focused on policy and public-private partnerships. The third day includes workshops on topics including

MICROFINANCE EVENT: Financial Inclusion in a Digital Economy; November 23 – 24, 2018; Amritsar, India

Summary of Event: The goal of this seminar is to promote “new approaches to address the various problems in the field of financial inclusion” to boost the incomes of “all sections of the society in general and vulnerable groups in particular.” Topics will include treating clients

MICROFINANCE EVENT: 3rd BoP Global Network Summit; April 18 – 20, 2018; New Delhi, India

Summary of Event: Themed “New Strategies for Building BoP Ecosystems,” this event includes sessions on serving people at the base of the pyramid (BoP), such as: (1) How Can We Leverage Digital Financial Inclusion to Disruptively Enhance the Livelihoods and Life Quality of BoP Communities?; and (2) Leveraging Innovations in Tech and Finance to Scale-up Models that Can Solve the Most Pressing Health

MICROFINANCE EVENT: ICT4D (Information and Communications Technology for Development); May 8 – 10, 2018; Lusaka, Zambia

Summary of Event: This event will address how technology can help meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Sessions will be themed around areas including Digital Financial Inclusion, Agriculture & Environment, and

MICROFINANCE EVENT: Global Youth Economic Opportunities Summit; September 25 – 27, 2018; Washington, DC, USA

Summary of Event: This year’s summit is themed “Generation 2030: Learning & Earning in a Changing World of Work.” The agenda revolves around four tracks: Building a Foundation, Ready for the Global Workforce, Livelihoods Through Self-employment and Global Context Matters. Topics will include behavioral skills; work-based learning; “youth-led social