Plenary Sessions

To download the presentations, please click on the speakers' names.

“Microfinance, a tool for growth, employment, social inclusion and regional development?”

In November 2007 the European Commission published "A European Initiative for the development of microcredit in support of growth and employment". This new Initiative, in line with the Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs, proposes a comprehensive approach to satisfy unmet demand of credit in a coherent way. This plenary session with representatives from the European Commission and EMN will explore  the perspectives offered by the Initiative for strengthening and developing the sector on the basis of an integrated approach.

 

Moderator: Maria Nowak – EMN President of EMN (France)
Speakers: Jean Benoît Dujol - Mission Officer (Haut Commissariat aux solidarités actives contre la pauvreté); Rudolph Niessler – Policy Coordination Director (DG Regio - European Commission); Jan Evers - Director (EVERS&JUNG); Grzegorz Galusek – Director (MFC – Poland); Antoine Saint-Denis- Policy Officer Unit Inclusion (DG EMPL – European Commission)

“Which Business Models for microfinance actors in Europe?”

The development of the microfinance sector in Europe is recent and varies a lot depending on the countries. However, several business models have emerged. Now, with the new EU Initiative planning to invest in the sector, it is important to analyse the most promising business models. This plenary session will mainly explore the two European models that have succeeded to date in reaching the largest number of clients - the French and the Romanian models.

Moderator: Jan Evers – Director (EVERS&JUNG – Germany)
Speakers: Laurence Girard – Internal Auditor (Adie and EMN- France); Maria Doiciu – Director (Eurom Consulting - Romania); Izabela Norek - Director (Inicjatywa Mikro - Poland)
Guest Speaker: Daniel Lebègue – Co President Eurofi (France)

“How to make use of the European Initiative to improve YOUR environment for microfinance and microenterprises?”

The European Initiative for microcredit has four main strands, two of which are dedicated to the improvement of the legal environment for the development of microfinance and microenterprises in Europe. It is clear to all actors concerned that the sector will not be able to develop and to achieve both sustainability and social outreach without an appropriate legal environment. With practitioners' representatives, this plenary session will explore the remaining major challenges for improving the regulatory framework in various member States. It will also analyse how the EU Initiative could assist such changes.

Moderator: Etienne Gentil – Lawyer (Latham&Walkins - France)
Speakers: Peter Arnaudov – President (Nachala - Bulgaria); Maria Nowak – President (Adie - France); Catherine Julien-Hiebel - Head of Unit (DGTPE - Ministry of Economy, Finance and Employment); Maria Nowak - President - Adie (France)