Privacy Policy
Last updated: 28 September 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how the European Microfinance Network AISBL (“EMN”, “we”, “us”) processes personal data through this website. It also explains your rights under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679, “GDPR”) and the Belgian Law of 30 July 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data.
1. Who is responsible for your data
The data controller is the European Microfinance Network AISBL, Rue d’Arlon 55, 1040 Brussels, Belgium, enterprise number BE 0501 927 092. For any privacy question or request, including requests to our data protection contact, write to emn@european-microfinance.org.
2. What data we process, why, and on what legal basis
| Activity | Personal data | Purpose | Legal basis (GDPR) | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contact forms | Name, email, phone number, message | Answer your enquiry and follow up | Legitimate interest in answering enquiries (Art. 6(1)(f)); steps before a contract where relevant (Art. 6(1)(b)) | 2 years after the last exchange |
| Membership information requests | Full name, email | Send information on EMN membership | Steps at your request before membership (Art. 6(1)(b)) | 2 years after the last exchange |
| Membership applications | Contact person details; names, titles and signatures of signatories; names and roles of managers with politically exposed person (PEP) status; names, roles and dates of birth of beneficial owners; organisation data | Assess eligibility, carry out due diligence and manage membership | Steps before membership and the membership relationship (Art. 6(1)(b)); legitimate interest in integrity and anti-money-laundering checks (Art. 6(1)(f)); legal obligations where applicable (Art. 6(1)(c)) | Duration of membership + 5 years; rejected applications 1 year |
| Members’ area accounts | Name, email, username, organisation, password (encrypted), login activity | Give members secure access to restricted content | Membership relationship (Art. 6(1)(b)) | While the account is active; deleted within 6 months after membership ends |
| Newsletter | Email and details you give in the sign-up form, opens and clicks | Send EMN news and updates | Your consent (Art. 6(1)(a)), which you can withdraw at any time via the unsubscribe link | Until you unsubscribe |
| Events, webinars and conferences | Name, organisation, contact details, attendance; photos and recordings at events | Organise events, report to funders, communicate about our activities | Performance of your registration (Art. 6(1)(b)); legitimate interest in documenting our activities (Art. 6(1)(f)) | 5 years, or as required by grant agreements |
| Job, fellowship and call applications | CV, cover letter, contact details and information in your application | Assess and select applicants | Steps before a contract (Art. 6(1)(b)) | 1 year after the selection closes, unless you are selected |
| Website security | IP address, browser data, requests, login attempts | Protect the website against attacks and abuse | Legitimate interest in security (Art. 6(1)(f)) | Up to 90 days in security logs |
| Analytics (only if enabled) | Pseudonymous identifiers, pages visited, device and browser data, approximate location | Measure and improve the website | Your consent (Art. 6(1)(a)) | See the Cookie Policy |
We do not use your data for automated decision-making or profiling that has legal or similar effects on you.
3. Data about other people
When you apply for membership, you may give us data about other people in your organisation, such as signatories, managers and beneficial owners. Please make sure they know about this Privacy Policy and that you are entitled to share their data.
4. Who receives your data
Your data is only seen by EMN staff and, where needed, by the Board or working groups involved in the relevant decision. We also use service providers who process data on our behalf, under data processing agreements:
| Provider | Service | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Contabo GmbH | Website hosting and database | Germany (EU) |
| Transycons | Website development and maintenance | EU |
| Intuit Mailchimp | Newsletter sending | USA |
| Wordfence (Defiant Inc.) | Website security and firewall | USA |
| Zoom Video Communications | Online events and webinars | USA |
| Google (YouTube, Google Maps) | Embedded videos and maps | USA |
| Microsoft (Microsoft 365) | Email services | EU |
We may also share data with funders, including the European Commission, when grant agreements require it for audits or reporting, and with public authorities when the law requires it. We never sell your personal data.
5. Transfers outside the EU
Some providers above are based in the United States. Where a provider is certified under the EU–US Data Privacy Framework, transfers rely on the European Commission’s adequacy decision. Otherwise, they rely on the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses and additional safeguards where needed. You can ask us for a copy of the relevant safeguards.
6. How we protect your data
We use technical and organisational measures to protect your data. These include encrypted connections (HTTPS), a web application firewall, access limited to authorised staff, strong passwords and regular updates and backups.
7. Your rights
Under the GDPR, you have the right to:
- access your personal data and get a copy of it;
- rectify inaccurate or incomplete data;
- erase your data (“right to be forgotten”), unless we must keep it by law;
- restrict the processing of your data;
- object to processing based on our legitimate interest;
- data portability, to receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format;
- withdraw your consent at any time, without affecting processing that took place before.
To exercise your rights, email emn@european-microfinance.org. We will reply within one month. We may ask you to prove your identity.
You can also lodge a complaint with the Belgian Data Protection Authority (Autorité de protection des données / Gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit), Rue de la Presse 35, 1000 Brussels, or with the supervisory authority of your EU country of residence.
8. Cookies
We use cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. You can change your choices at any time with the “Cookie settings” link at the bottom of every page.
9. Changes to this Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy when our activities or the law change. The date at the top shows the latest version. We will announce significant changes on the website or by email to members.
10. Contact
European Microfinance Network AISBL, Rue d’Arlon 55, 1040 Brussels, Belgium — emn@european-microfinance.org — +32 280 844 20
See also our Terms of Use and Legal Notice.