THE EVENT IS SOLD OUT
The role of microfinance is crucial in empowering regional and local communities, fostering cohesion, and enhancing cooperation. Key examples illustrate how microfinance and cooperatives can improve access to housing, promote gender equity and equal opportunities, stimulate employment and green entrepreneurship, and drive innovation.
This year, our Annual Conference focuses on strengthening communities through microfinance and social inclusion. Titled “Roadmap to Sustainability and Inclusive Development: Microfinance as a Catalyst for Building Stronger Local Communities,” the event will take place in Cagliari, Sardinia (IT), on🗓️ October 16th-17th. Pre-conference activities on 🗓️October 15th will be held for EMN members. The event is organised in partnership with EMN members, CoopFin and RITMI, at the UNAHOTELS T Hotel Cagliari.
Agenda
Members’ Day – Wednesday 15th of October
11.00-13.00 Working Groups
- Advocacy and National Network Committee (Room T3A)
- Research Committee (Room T7)
- Non-financial Services Working Group (Room T3B)
13.00-14.00 Lunch Break (Room T2)
14.00-16.30 Closed Session organised by the European Investment Fund (EIF), invitation only (Room T3A)
16.30-18.30 General Assembly (Room T4)
18.00-21.00 Member’s Cocktail (Ground floor, outdoor patio)
First Day of the Conference - Thursday 16th of October
09.00-09.30 Registrations & Welcome Breakfast (Lobby 2)
09.30-10.45 Welcome Speeches (Room T1)
Speakers:
- Laure Coussirat-Coustère, President of the European Microfinance Network
- Carla Della Volpe, Coopfin and RITMI – Italian Microfinance Network
- Video Message by Dubravka Šuica, EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean
- Mons. Giuseppe Andrea Salvatore Baturi, Secretary General of the Italian Episcopal Conference and Metropolitan Archbishop of Cagliari
Matteo Porru’s reading
Opening Plenary
Speakers:
- Tomáš Boček, Vice-governor of the Council of Europe Development Bank – CEB
- Alessandra Todde, President of Sardinia Region
- Giuseppe Lupo, European Parliament (online)
- Representative, Fondazione di Sardegna
Setting the background
Presentation of the Conference map and background information on key EU-level initiatives relevant for the sector
10.45-11.45 Morning Break & Networking Time (Room T2 – Networking space in Room T3)
11.45-13.00 Plenary Panel: “Microfinance and financial inclusion: an efficient tool for communities and cooperation between territories” (Room T1)
Moderator: Giampietro Pizzo, RITMI
Speakers:
- Jorgos Papadakis, EMN Managing Director
- Representative of Banca Etica
- Panagiotis Tournavitis, CEO, Cooperative Bank of Karditsa
- Diana Ghinea, European Network of Cities and Regions for the Social Economy (REVES, Companion)
- Simone Gamberini, President Legacoop and COOPFOND (online)
- Paola del Fabro, Head of Special Projects at Banco di Sardegna – BPER Group
13.00-14.00 Lunch & Networking (Room T2)
14.00-15.00 Parallel Workshops
Workshop 1: “Regulating microfinance in 2025″ (Room T1)
Moderator: Nicola Benaglio, European Microfinance Network
Speakers
- Brigitte Fellahi–Brognaux, European Commission
- Simone Petrillo, European Investment Fund (EIF)
- Neoklis Stamkos, Microsmart
- Marco Ravaldi, Microcredito d’Impresa
- Rafael Drummond, Cresacor
- Izabela Norek, Inpulse
Workshop 2: “On the ground – Practical workshop on overindebtedness” (Room T3)
Moderator: Célia Magras, Cresus Foundation
Speakers:
- Dieter Korczak, European Consumer Debt Network (ECDN)
- Heidi Ceffa, Fondazione Welfare Ambrosiano
- Jacqueline Zuidweg, Early Warning Europe
15.00-15.15 Afternoon Break (Room T2)
15.15-16.15 Parallel Workshops
Workshop 3: “Structural Funds, Microfinance and Inclusive Finance – How harmonize instruments and objectives” (Room T1)
Moderator: Emanuele Cabras, CoopFin
Speakers:
- Tzvetan Spassov, Head of Managing Authority of ESF+ HR Development Operational Programme, Director General, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy
- Martina Grigorova, Director, SIS Credit
- Gabriele Pazzola, ESF+ Managing Authority
- Brigitte Fellahi–Brognaux, European Commission
Workshop 4: “Financial health and resilience” (Room 3)
Moderator: Jo Gray, YBI
Speakers:
- Jerome Collin, Cresus
- Karla Estrada, NantikLum Foundation
- Adelaide Jomier, ADIE
- Marion Bind, Tomillo
16.15-16.30 Afternoon Break (Room T2)
16.30-17.30 Parallel Workshops
Workshop 5: “Microfinance and migrant entrepreneurship in Mediterranean countries” (Room T1)
Moderator: Katia Raguzzoni, Microfinanza
Speakers:
- Herjola Spahiu, Noa Albania
- Daniele Panzeri, Senior Program Support and Liaison – M&D Unit Coordinator, IOM
- Giulia Boioli, PerMicro
- Stamatis Velegrakis, AFI
- Issam Shnoodeh, Tamwelcoom MFI
- Antonio Sierra, Treball Solidaris
Moderator: Katia raguzzoni, Microfinanza
Workshop 6: “Investment vehicles and tools. Where we stand?” (Room T3)
Moderator: Fabio Malanchini, Impactage
Speakers:
- Stefano Baldussi, Banca Etica
- Cristina Dumitrescu, European Investment Fund (EIF)
- Francesco Grieco, Inpulse
- Roy Bruce, VisionFund International
19.30 Social Event Bus: Meet-up at T-Hotel
20.00-23.00 Social Event (Convento of San Giuseppe)
Last Day of the Conference - Friday 17th of October
09.00-09.30 Welcome Breakfast (Lobby 2)
09.30-09.45 Opening speech by Mario Nava, Director-General DG EMPL (online)
Video message of Gelsomina Vigliotti, Vice-President of EIB
09.45-11.00 Plenary Workshop: “Advancing Social Impact Measurement in European Microfinance” (Room T1)
Moderator: Kristina Maslauskaite, CEB
Speakers:
- Brigitte Fellahi–Brognaux, European Commission
- Davide Castellani, M-Pensa
- Linas Armalys, Noviti Finance
- Martina Grigorova, SIS credit
- Filippo Chiesa, PerMicro
11.00-11.15 Morning Break (Room T2)
11.15-12.30 Closing panel– “Microfinance 2035: aligning the sector with EU priorities and funding”
Moderator: Stefan Buciuc, BCR Social Finance
Speakers:
- Bruno Robino, European Investment Bank
- Cristina Dumitrescu, European Investment Fund
- Laure Coussirat-Coustère, ADIE
- Antonio Sierra, Treball Solidaris
- Marco Marcocci, Confcooperative
Maria Nowak Research Fellowship Ceremony
- Update on 2024/2025 assignment results – Theodore Katerinakis
- Presentation of 2 new assignments (2025/2026)
Code of Good Conduct Ceremony
Aldo Moauro, MFR
Final Remarks
- Giampietro Pizzo, President, RITMI – Italian Microfinance Network
- Jorgos Papadakis, European Microfinance Network
- Guillem Arís, Autoocupació
(Room T1)
12.30-13.30 Lunch & Networking (Room T2)
13.30 Field Visit Bus: Meet-up at T-Hotel
13.30-17.00 Field visit at Gemma Maria Villanovaforru archeological site
Event Registrations
The event is SOLD OUT; registrations are no longer available.
If you have any inquiries regarding registrations, please contact the EMN appointed agency at info@kassiopeagroup.com.
Accommodation
The conference venue is conveniently situated near the city center and is easily accessible from Cagliari’s airport.
If you need assistance with booking your accommodation for the event, please reach out to EMN’s designated agency at emn.travelconcierge@fatravel.it.
All information regarding your booking and payment for the rooms will be handled directly by the agency and the selected hotel.
NOTE: The conference venue has completed all room bookings. EMN’s appointed agency will suggest convenient options at nearby hotels and in Cagliari’s center.
Social Event
At the end of the first day of the conference, we will host a social event at the Convento of San Giuseppe from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM. The venue is conveniently located just a 10-minute drive from the conference site.
In the second section of the registration form, you can indicate whether you plan to participate in the social event. EMN will provide bus transportation to and from the venue in two different time slots (more details will be shared before the event). Please note that the service is now SOLD OUT. Alternatively, a taxi service is also available.
If you wish to use the bus service, please mark the corresponding section. The social event and transportation are included in the ticket price, but please note that a limited number of seats are available.
Field Visit
!SOLD OUT!
On the final day of the conference, EMN is organizing a field visit to the Genna Maria Villanovaforru archaeological site and museum. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the typical Nuraghi constructions, which are symbols of Sardinia. The visit will take place on 🗓️October 17th in the afternoon, and will last approximately three hours, including transportation (the site is a 40-minute drive from the conference venue). If you would like to join, please select the option in the second part of the registration form. The cost for the visit and transportation is an additional 10 euros on top of the ticket fee. Please note that only 50 slots are available.
More Info
Organizer
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European Microfinance Network (EMN)
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Phone
+32 280 844 20 -
Email
emn@european-microfinance.org -
Website
www.european-microfinance.org
