? The European Microfinance Day was launched in 2015 as a tool to highlight the impact of the microfinance sector in Europe from a social and an economic perspective.
⚡ The campaign is anchored around a symbolic date, the 15th of October. This date was chosen based on a striking statistic: 21.7% of the EU population is at risk of poverty or social exclusion. In other words, the “system” isn’t working 21.7% of the time. Relative to a calendar year, this means that it breaks down on 15 October, when the doors close for those willing to build a better life for themselves. Microfinance is pushing hard to move this limit further and further year after year, to see the day no one is left behind.
? The main objectives of the European Microfinance Day are:
- To raise awareness among European citizens on the existence of microfinance and on its value to fight unemployment and social exclusion.
- To draw the attention of European media on how microfinance works in Europe and how it supports and helps the unemployed and European citizens excluded from the traditional financial sector.
- To exchange experiences within the European microfinance sector by giving visibility to the work of EMN & MFC members.
- To allow local members to draw the spotlight on their achievements and their missions at local level.
These objectives remain the same and will define the spirit of the 7th European Microfinance Day, with a unifying thread allowing participants to reflect the positive contribution of microfinance in combatting poverty and social exclusion.
? The Brussels event ?
The Brussels event is here to highlight the work done at European level to develop the microfinance sector. This year, the 18th EMN Annual Conference will be organised on 15 October and will therefore constitute a perfect opportunity to celebrate this staple event of the EMD campaign, around which local events will be organised by our partners throughout Europe.
The programme for this edition, fused into the Annual Conference's closing session, will feature a keynote speech by Andriana Sukova, Deputy Director-General at the DG EMPL of the European Commission, followed by an address from the EIB Group, whose continuous support is invaluable in organising the campaign. Lastly, microfinance practitioners that recently complied with the European Code of Good Conduct for Microcredit Provision will be distinguished on stage, with the participation of DG EMPL of the European Commission, piloting the Code.
Local actions
ADIE
Paris,
France
Adie, France
1. A la rencontre des créateurs d’entreprise de l’eurométropole de Lille
Date: 20 October 2021
Location: Lille, France
Objective:
- Determined to make business creation for all a lever for economic development and integration, Adie invites the European and Eurometropolitan elected officials of Lille, France to exchange with entrepreneurs supported and financed by Adie.
AFI
Athens,
Greece
Action Finance Initiative, Greece
1. National Awareness campaign about the power of microfinance
Date: 15 October 2021
Venue: Online
Programme:
- Through a series of posts and videos, AFI will create an awareness campaign about the power of microfinance as a means to combat poverty and exclusion.
Albanian Microfinance Association
Albanian Microfinance Association, Albania
1. Roundtable on microfinance support for Albanian Entrepreneurs
Date: 25 October 2021
Venue: Online
Objectives:
- The Albanian Microfinance Association will organise a high-profile roundtable in line with the theme of the campaign: “Keeping the door open for Albanian entrepreneurs”. Gathering high-level representatives from the Albanian government, central bank, and business associations, in addition to AMA members, the event will aim to convey the association's efforts to support entrepreneurs in Albania, and present its strategy for the post-pandemic period.
AEM
Madrid,
Spain
Asociación Española de Microfinanzas, Spain
1. Roundtable on the latest development in the microfinance sector
Date: 21 October 2021
Venue: Online
Objectives:
- The Spanish Microfinance Association organised a roundtable on 21 October to share and discuss the main updates and conclusions from the 18th EMN Annual Conference, that had taken place the week before in Brussels, Belgium.
Banca Etica
Padova,
Italy
Banca Etica, Italy
1. Webinar
Date: October 2021
Location: Online
Description:
- This cycle of webinars organised throughout Italy will bring a simple, yet essential, message: microcredit can be the answer to the current social-economic crisis and to the risk of wear and tear.
COOPFIN
Cagliari,
Italy
Coopfin, Italy
1. Webinar
Date: 25 October 2021
Location: Cagliari (Sardinia), Italy
Description:
- This cycle of online and physical events organised throughout Italy by the members of the RITMI network will bring a simple, yet essential, message to their audience: microcredit can be the answer to the current social-economic crisis and to the risk of wear and tear.
Fondazione Mons. Vito De Grisantis
Alessano,
Italy
Fondazione Mons. Vito De Grisantis, Italy
1. Webinar
Date: 20 October 2021
Location: Online
Description:
- This cycle of webinars organised throughout Italy will bring a simple, yet essential, message: microcredit can be the answer to the current social-economic crisis and to the risk of wear and tear.
Fondazione Welfare Ambrosiano
Milano,
Italy
Fondazione Welfare Ambrosiano, Italy
1. Webinar
Date: 27 October 2021
Location: Online
Description:
- This cycle of webinars organised throughout Italy will bring a simple, yet essential, message: microcredit can be the answer to the current social-economic crisis and to the risk of wear and tear.
Iccrea Banca
Rome,
Italy
Iccrea Banca, Italy
1. Piccolo Festival della Microfinanza
Date: 22-23-24 October 2021
Venue: Fiumefreddo Bruzio (Cosenza), Italy
Objectives:
- Piccolo Festival della Microfinanza is a three-day initiative designed to illustrate the impact that microfinance could have in the post-Covid era and in local communities for a more inclusive and upright economy. Designed in collaboration with ENM, the governative organisation for microcredit in Italy, Piccolo Festival is organised in Calabria, where microfinance could clearly express its full potential in terms of tangible and intangible progress. The first day, 22 October, is dedicated to financial education, with a school focused on microcredit and designed to share best practices; during the second day influential speakers will together meet to imagine the future of microfinance in Italy and Europe. Finally, the third day is focused on literary trekking fully organised by young people to explore the place and to narrate the power of microfinance for small communities.
- Piccolo Festival is selected among Financial Education Month initiatives promoted by Comitato Edufin, established by the Italian Economy Minister to disseminate financial education.
MECC
Messina,
Italy
Microcredito per l’Economia Civile e di Comunione (MECC), Italy
1. Seminar
Date: 9 October 2021
Location: Messina, Italy
Description:
- This cycle of online and physical events organised throughout Italy by the members of the RITMI network will bring a simple, yet essential, message to their audience: microcredit can be the answer to the current social-economic crisis and to the risk of wear and tear.
Microlux
Luxembourg,
Luxembourg
Microlux, Luxembourg
1. Touring exhibition: the social impact of microlux in Luxembourg
Date : From 12 October to 12 November 2021
Location : Luxembourg
Description:
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This touring exhibition will present the main findings of microlux’s first social impact study and showcase examples of successful entrepreneurs supported by the institution. Starting from 12th October and for four weeks, it will take place in the four main locations of the biggest retail company in Luxembourg (Cactus).
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The exhibition will be a great opportunity to increase microlux’s notoriety in Luxembourg and raise awareness about microcredit as a tool for social and financial inclusion, especially in Europe, and Luxembourg where microfinance is still viewed as a concept for developing countries.
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The exhibition will also highlight 9 entrepreneurs' stories and hopefully bring them more clients.
2. Create your own business with microlux
Date : 26 October to 2 November 2021
Location : Luxembourg
Description:
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This national campaign will be organised through the JDecaux network and sponsored by insurance company Sogelife and will take place from 26th October to 2nd November. During that tile posters and adverts will be displayed in every underground passes in all train stations in Luxembourg, and on digital screens at two shopping malls (Esch-Belva and Cora Foetz).
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This campaign will showcase 3 successful entrepreneurs supported by microlux to encourage others to follow their path and to create their own business with the help of microlux.
microStart
Brussels,
Belgium
microStart, Belgium
1. Women Entrepreneurship Campaign
Date: 18 - 22 October 2021
Location: Belgium
More information: HERE
Description:
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In Belgium, less than one third of all entrepreneurs are women. Despite a constant progression, year after year, of the share of women among new entrepreneurs, many of them are still hesitating to start up.
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In this context, with the support of the Chanel Foundation, BNP Paribas Fortis, the Soroptimists of the Anthos Club of Antwerp and the US Embassy, microStart is organising an inclusive campaign week to highlight female entrepreneurship in Belgium and try to lower the barriers of access.
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To all those who have the project, the conviction or the desire to become an entrepreneur, we invite you to join us from October 18th to 22nd 2021 all around Belgium. All our events are free.
Monte Credit
Podgorica,
Montenegro
Monte Credit, Montenegro
1. "Secure your future with Monte Credit"
Date: 18 - 22 October 2021
Location: Montenegro
Description:
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Through this campaign, Monte Credit wants to provide individuals with knowledge about crucial business skills, enabling them to transform their livelihoods. Education and training are crucial components in the success of their clients, because it will help them to develop entrepreneurial skills. Financial education can greatly improve knowledge of money management, savings, and budgeting. They want to help our client to identify their financial objectives, chart out a plan and stick to it. Conduct research to determine who and where the clients are and also, we plan to increase our outreach.
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As Monte Credit clients develop economically and become more acquainted with microfinance services, and as competition in the sector strengthens, small-scale enterprises will likely have a greater demand for more diversified products. Simple systems and procedures are often key to increasing the outreach of microfinance institutions, especially in rural environments.
NOA
Tirana,
Albania
NOA, Albania
1. Social media & specialised press campaign
Date: October 2021
Location: Online
Description:
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For the European Microfinance Day 2021, NOA will focus its campaign on answering some questions and paint a clearer picture of the sector. What is the typical profile of a microfinance expert? Why should recent graduates or professionals with a rich background on banking/finance choose to work in this sector? What does it mean on a daily basis? What is the real impact in the field?
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NOA will also focus on the technology side, answering questions such as what is the relationship between MFIs and innovation? How can new technologies improve MFIs offer? How can financing new fintechs be considered a social mission?
Patria Credit
Voluntari,
Romania
Patria Credit, Romania
1. Social media campaign
Date: 15 October 2021
Location: Online
Description:
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The promotion of the campaign will be coordinated on Patria Credit's social media pages (Patria Credit & Patria Bank Facebook pages) and through their sales force
2. Special offer
Date: 18 to 22 October 2021
Location: Patria Credit branches
Description:
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A special loan offer will be available to new and existing client for four days to celebrate the EMD 2021
3. Press release
Date: 18 October 2021
Location: Online
Description:
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A press release will be sent to a relevant selection of journalists to highlight the importance of the campaign and of microcredit on Romania, advocating its role in the development of rural communities in Romania
PerMicro
Turin,
Italy
PerMicro, Italy
1. Webinar & events
Date: 18-22 October 2021
Location: Turin, Italy, & online
Description:
- This cycle of webinars organised throughout Italy will bring a simple, yet essential, message: microcredit can be the answer to the current social-economic crisis and to the risk of wear and tear.
Qredits
Almelo,
Netherlands
Qredits, The Netherlands
1. Social media campaign
Date: October 2021
Location: Online
Description:
- Qredits will put a number of migrant entrepreneurs in the spotlight this year. With this, Qredits wants to emphasise the reality of keeping the doors open for all entrepreneurs. They are there for existing and starting entrepreneurs and actively listen to their stories.
- The campaign will designate two or three entrepreneurs and talk briefly about how they arrived to the Netherlands, about their company and how Qredits helped them. The campaign will be run simultaneously on Faceboo, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
RITMI
Vicenza,
Italy
RITMI, Italy
1. Seminar
Date: 21 October 2021
Location: Online
Description:
- This cycle of online and physical events organised throughout Italy by the members of the RITMI network will bring a simple, yet essential, message to their audience: microcredit can be the answer to the current social-economic crisis and to the risk of wear and tear.
- This central event will feature interviews with Andrea Mazzanti (coach of the Italian Woman Volley Ball Team) and Antonio Misani (Member of the Italian Parliament).
