MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: European Investment Fund (EIF) Releases Call for Expression of Interest

The European Investment Fund (EIF), a public-private partnership that supports financial institutions in Europe that serve small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), has released an expression of interest to select up to 30 European microcredit providers that will benefit from technical assistance under the Joint Action to Support Microfinance Institutions (JASMINE) initiative, which aims to develop the European microfinance market through the provision of non-financial support to European microcredit providers [1].

Launched in 2008, JASMINE is financed by the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, and is managed by EIF. JASMINE beneficiaries are provided with training based on either an assessment exercise to identify strengths and weaknesses or a rating exercise to assess their risk profile and social impact [2].

The window for applications will be open until April 15, 2012.

You may download the full text of the offering at http://www.eif.org/what_we_do/microfinance/calls-for-expression-of-inter…

By Kristha Abores, Research Associate

About European Investment Fund (EIF): The European Investment Fund (EIF) is a provider of risk finance to organizations that lend to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Europe. The fund is a public-private partnership whose shareholding structure includes the European Union’s European Investment Bank; the European Union as represented by the European Commission; and 29 financial institutions from European Union member states plus Turkey and Croatia. EIF is a member of the EIB Group, the parent organization of the European Investment Bank. As of December 31, 2010, EIF reported total assets of EUR 1.2 billion (USD 1.6 billion).

About European Commission: The European Commission (EC), founded in 1951, is the executive body of the European Union (EU). It is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union’s treaties and the day-to-day running of the Union. EC has its headquarters in Belgium and offices in Luxembourg as well as offices known as “representations” in all EU countries.

Sources and Additional Resources:

[1] “JASMINE TA, Call for Expression of Interest No JAS-BE/2011/06,” http://www.eif.org/what_we_do/microfinance/calls-for-expression-of-inter…

[2] “JASMINE Technical Assistance,” http://www.eif.org/what_we_do/microfinance/JASMINE/06_fei_jasmine_a4.pdf

MicroCapital.org article, November 8, 2011, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: European Investment Fund Lends $1.3m to Microfinance Institution Societatea de Microfinantare Rurala FAER to Support Microenterprises in Romania,” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-european-investment-fund-…

MicroCapital.org article, June 22, 2011, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: European Investment Bank Appoints Frankfurt School of Finance as Technical Assistance Provider for Incofin’s Rural Impulse Fund II in Africa, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP),” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-european-investment-bank-…

MicroCapital Universe Profile: European Investment Fund (EIF), https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Eur…

MicroCapital Universe Profile: European Commission (EC), https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Eur…

Browse the MicroCapital Universe and add your entry to the wiki at: https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/

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