MICROFINANCE EVENT: Microfinance Centre-European Microfinance Network (MFC-EMN) Annual Conference; October 3-5, 2018; Bilbao, Spain

Co-hosted by the Poland-based Microfinance Centre (MFC) and the Belgium-based European Microfinance Network (EMN), this event’s theme for 2018 is “People and the Digital Revolution: Advancing Our Social Mission through Technology.” Although the agenda of conference is still in development, it will include subjects such as Capitalising on Big Data for Financial Inclusion, MFI (Microfinance Institution) Partnerships with Fintech, Innovative Risk Management Including Alternative Risk Management Tools, and Microfinance Clients’ Financial Health and Ways to Measure It. The event will also include the presentation of the 11th Microfinance Research Award, offering a prize of EUR 1,000 (USD 1,157) to authors on topics such as digitalization in the microfinance sector, job creation, social entrepreneurship or social investment performance measurement.

Background on Organizer: MFC is a network of 111 MFIs operating in 36 countries that aims to promote a socially oriented and sustainable microfinance sector. Its services include knowledge management, policy advocacy, technical assistance, and research and development. As of December 2016, MFC’s member MFIs serve approximately 1.5 million customers.

EMN aims to bring together microfinance practitioners and other industry stakeholders in Europe with the purpose of promoting best practices in microfinance, self-employment and microenterprise development. It also seeks to improve the regulatory framework for microfinance at the EU and member-state levels. The NGO disseminates its information via webinars, conferences, peer-to-peer visits and publications. As of 2018, EMN has 112 members and partners located in 25 European countries.

Cost: For registration until July 31, the fee is EUR 500 (USD 527). The cost then rises to EUR 600 (USD 632) until September 24 and EUR 700 (USD 737) thereafter. A discount of EUR 50 (USD 53) is available to members of EMN and MFC until September 24.

Event Website: https://mfc-emn-conference2018.com

For additional information, you may contact the organizers at +48 22 622 34 65 or info[at]mfc-emn-conference2018.com.

By Nicholas Galimberti, Research Associate

Sources and Additional Resources

EMN background
https://www.european-microfinance.org/activities

MFC background
http://mfc.org.pl/about-mfc/

MFC annual report
http://mfc.org.pl/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/MFC_Annual-Report_2016_WEB.pdf

MicroCapital Brief; September 25, 2015; Microfinance Centre (MFC) To Launch “Borrow Wisely” Campaign in Effort to Increase Financial Literacy in Europe, Central Asia
https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-microfinance-centre-mfc-to-launch-borrow-wisely-campaign-in-effort-to-increase-financial-literacy-in-europe-central-asia/

MicroCapital Brief; December 11, 2013; Fondazione Giordano Dell’Amore, European Microfinance Network (EMN) Announce Sixth Edition of $69k Giordano Dell’Amore Microfinance Good Practices Europe Award
https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-fondazione-giordano-dellamore-european-microfinance-network-emn-announce-sixth-edition-of-69k-giordano-dellamore-microfinance-good-practices-europe-award/

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