Advocacy for Microfinance Institutions

Advocacy and lobbying are core activities for any microfinance stakeholder. Microfinance in Europe is a relatively new activity, not very well known and sometimes misinterpreted, as it sits uneasily at the crossroads of economic development, financial and social sectors. Only just recently has it made it to EU and member states’ agendas.

It is all important for stakeholders to make sure that microfinance is recognised by decision-makers as a key tool for job creation and economic development, poverty alleviation and social progress. This is of particular importance in these days of economic crisis, with increased unemployment and growing poverty, where the financial system is looking for sustainable alternatives and increased social value.

EMN has realised that most of its members did not (or could not) actively engage in lobbying and advocacy activity, nor did they have the knowledge or the tools to do so.

Microfinance is a growing activity all over Europe and we are witnessing changes in national and European legislation that will influence microfinance development. However, there is little presence of microfinance in key documents and forums, such as the National Action Plans for Social Inclusion (NAPs).

In addition few EMN members have working relationships in place with national authorities that allow them to bring microfinance into the National Social Inclusion agenda and through this process access funds from the European Social Fund or the European Regional Development Funds.

The reasons for that are the lack of awareness of the importance of active lobbying and the lack of tools or scale to be an efficient advocate.

Given the fact that such funding sources are still relatively untapped and that their size is considerably more important than other EU funding initiatives such as JASMINE or PROGRESS, we encourage EMN members to increase lobbying and advocacy activities for microfinance at national level.

To improve awareness and skills, EMN is organising a one-and-a-half day Training Course on Lobbying and Advocacy for Microfinance at National level.

The aim of the training is to be an eye-opener on the issue, and to provide participants with practical tools.

Click here for more detailed information on the training course content.