European Dialogue Stream: Conference Summary and Notes
This paper presents a report on the European Dialogue conference, held during the Luxembourg Microfinance Week. The conference aimed to create synergies and links between different actors and increase the impact of microfinance activities for the benefit of the economically poor in developing countries. The conference included presentations, debates and action plans. There was also a discussion panel on rural finance where participants shared experiences. These activities focused on:
- Current approaches and collaborations in Europe;
- Social performance assessment, innovations in product methodologies, institutional structures, technologies and distribution channels;
- Linkages for financing of the microfinance sector to achieve wider outreach and strengthen MFI sustainability;
- Creation of the European Microfinance Platform.
The participants identified plans for the future which included reinforcement and development of current priorities with a special focus on linkages with the formal banking sector, social performance measurement and rural finance. It also focused on new products such as microinsurance, remittances and new MFI financing.
