Advocacy for Microfinance Institutions - Content of the training course

The course is built around two blocks:

On day 1, an introduction on lobbying and advocacy at national level, centered around the National Action Plan for Social inclusion process (NAPs). We introduce the concepts and the background of lobbying and advocacy, the strategic elements of the NAP process and the lines of action to introduce microfinance in the process.

Then, to illustrate this, we will have interactive presentations by knowledgeable stakeholders: DMI, the German microfinance association, will inform us on their successful lobbying that allowed them to access important European Funds and launch important national initiatives. EAPN, the European Anti-poverty Network, a very renowned lobbyist, will explain how they structure their action in each European country.

On day 2, participants will put into practice the learning from day 1. Working in groups, they will draft concrete proposals to include their actions in their own NAPs. This will include indications on how to approach the decision-makers, how to present microfinance under the social inclusion angle, how to organise one's institution for the NAP build-up process and how to follow-up and report so as to ensure permanent recognition. The final aim is that each participant walks aout of the course with a draft action plan for the ongoing NAP writing process.

EMN, through the Legal Environment and Regulation Working Group, will provide a follow-up on the actions taken by the participants and work with them to build a strong lobbying and advocacy platform both at national and European levels.

Training Outline

Day 1

Subject

Aim
9h30-9h45

Presentation of participants

  
9h45-11h00
  • Introduction and goals of the day
  • Lobbying and Advocacy: NAPs and Managing Authorities
  • Why is this important? Policy and funding
  • Undersatnd the importance of the national lobbying
11h00-11h15 Coffee Break
11h15-13h00

Strategy elements:

  • Focus on the NAPs as a mean to get into the debate
  • Dealing with national authorities
  • National funding for Microfinance: a path to explore
  • Understand the possibilities national lobby opens for Microfinance
  • Identify the main lines of action
  • Identify the steps to make lobbying a permanent feature
13h00-14h30 Lunch
14h30-16h00
  • Exemples of National lobby by EMN Members
  • Understand what made EMN members succeed in national lobby and what has been achieved
16h00-16h15 Coffee Break
16h15-17h00
  • Exemples of National lobby by other organisations: EAPN
  • Identify the steps taken and outcomes of EAPN efforts to influence national policies
17h00-17h30
  • Preparation of working groups focusing on NAPs
  • Set-up groups of 3 or 4 people analysing NAPs and preparing submission proposals

Day 2

 Subject

 Aim
9h30-11h00
  • NAPs Workshop
  • Analyse specific Country NAPs and propose content for inclusion of Microfinance
11h00-11h15 Coffee Break
11h15-12h30
  • NAPs Workshop II
  • Present and discuss proposals for Microfinance inclusion in the NAPs
12h30-13h00 Conclusion and evaluation 

Language

English - the training can be adapted to other languages according to the demand.

Target group

Loan officers, business advisers, trainers, managers from microfinance programmes in EU and EEA countries, Advocacy managers...

Duration

1,5 days

Calendar

 

Registration