8th emn annual conference programme and speakers · 2013. 6. 13. · 4 8th emn annual conference...

8th EMN Annual Conference Programme and Speakers

2011

Complementing microfinance with sustainable non-financial services but

EMN ANNUAL CONFERENCE, 9 - 10 JUNE 2011, AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

Who will pay the ferryman?

Our Partners

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Who will pay the ferryman? 3

Complementing microfinance with sustainable non-financial services

But who will pay the ferryman?

The 8th Annual Conference of the European Microfinance Network (EMN) taking place on 9 and 10 June, intends to be a highly interactive meeting place of minds, ideas and experiences. The Conference will be opened by HRH Princess Máxima of the Netherlands in her capacity of UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development and member of the Dutch Council on Microfinance. It will furthermore host experts from all corners of the microfinance field, both within and beyond the microfinance sector.

8th EMN Annual Conference – Programme and Speakers4

Mainhallroom–Groundfloor:

07.30 - 08.45: Registration and welcome with coffee; subscription for the European Café.

09.00 - 09.02: “Microfinance in Europe, and the many lessons to learn from others”. Startofthemorningsession,chairedbyDiederikLamanTrip(NetherlandsCouncilforMicrofinance).

09.02 - 09.10: Word of Welcome by the EMN President Klaas Molenaar.

09.10 - 09.25: Opening speech by HRH Princess Máxima, in her capacity of UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development.

09.25 - 09.45: Keynote speech by László Andor, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.

09.45-10.30: Coffeebreak-“MeettheMicroentrepreneurs”.

10.30 - 11.25: European Café: “How will we finance our support services?” Informal,interactivemeetingplace,tomeetanddiscussissuespresentedattheopeningsession.Asinatypical“café”,

participantswillbeseatedbygroupof6to10peopletodiscussthemainissuesforfinancingthebusinesssupportservicesdeliveredtomicroentrepreneurs.

11.25 - 11.30: Launch of the MFI Development Lab. Moderator: Daniel Sorrosal,ExecutiveSecretaryEMN.

11.30 - 12.30: Interactive South North debate “Who pays the ferryman?” KeynotebyLuís Felipe Derteano(GrupoACP/Mibanco,Peru).ReactionbyJochen Bloß(Deutsches

Mikrofinanzinstitut,Germany).Moderator: Klaas Molenaar(EMNPresident)/Maria Doiciu(EMNVicePresident).

12.30-14.00: Lunchbuffet.

14.00 - 14.05: Introduction to the afternoon session by the moderator: Joyce Kimwaga Lundin (Neem, Sweden).

14.05 - 15.00: Interactive South North debate: “Does BDS improve microfinance services – is it wise to be financed?” WithJennifer Riria(KenyaWomen’sFinanceTrust/AssociationofMicrofinanceInstitutionsAMFI,Kenya)andreaction

byAndrea Limone(PerMicro,Italy).Moderator: Merten Sievers(InternationalLabourOrganisation,Switzerland).

15.00 - 15.15: “Microfinance - the positive approach” by Camie Bonger.

15.15 - 15.30: Tea break and opportunity to meet with microfinance investors and other organisations supporting the Conference.

15.30 - 17.00: First round of simultaneous breakout sessions:

• Enterprise support services, who benefits – the borrower or the lender? Lecturetteanddebatewithpanelandaudience,presentedbyMerten Sievers(InternationalLabourOrganisation,

Switzerland).Panelists:Maria Faddoul*(Adie,France)andLuís Felipe Derteano(GrupoACP,Peru).

Main hall room - Ground floor

9 JuneDay one


• To link or not to link? OpenspacedebatemoderatedbyAlberic Pater(TriodosFacet,TheNetherlands)withpresentationbyMarjolein

de Boer (Eigenbaas,TheNetherlands)andreactionbyJennifer Riria(KenyaWomen’sFinanceTrust/AMFI,Kenya).

Mendes da Costa room – 1st floor

• What do we really know about BDS in relation to Microfinance? RoundtablepresentedbyMargot Lobbezoo(InHollandUniversity,TheNetherlands).

Speakers:Erik Lubberding(Researcher:RegionalDevelopmentAdvisor,TheNetherlands);Vlad Mihut(Practitioner:ROMCOM,Romania);Marleen Holtkamp(Entrepreneur:Montasordeningencoaching).

Verwey room – 1st floor

• Why do savings matter? Roundtablewiththreepresentations.Moderator: Faisel Rahman(FairFinance,UK).Speakers:Abdoulaye Fall

(ACAF,Spain),Bernard Bayot(RéseauFinancementAlternatif,Belgium),Omar Khan(Assetnet,UK).

Archieves Beurstraat – 2nd floor

• BDS 2.0 – can we apply IT in BDS? Bestpracticesandelevatorpitches.Facilitator:Jan Willem Wolff.Speakers:VincentStulen(Qredits,TheNetherlands),

UnniBeateSekkesæter(NCN,Norway),Martin Ferry(PSYBT,UK),Tibor Szekfu(FejerEnterpriseAgency,Hungary).

Berlage room – 1st floor

• What should MFIs in the European Union EU keep in mind? Lessons learned from developing countries. Presentationofkeylessons.Moderator: Daniel Sorrosal(EMN).Speakers:Gerrit Ribbink(TriodosFacet,

TheNetherlands),Leo Soldaat(Hivos,TheNetherlands).

Archieves Damrak – 2nd floor


17.00 - 17.30: The EMN European Microcredit Research and the Best Practices for European Microfinance Programmes Awards 2011 Ceremony.

Forthethirdtime,theGiordanoDell’AmorefoundationwillannouncethewinneroftheAwardonInnovationandGoodPracticesforEuropeanMicrofinanceprogrammes.Thewinnerofthe2011EuropeanMicrocreditResearchAwardwillalsobeofficiallyannounced.

17.30 - 17.45: Closing of the first conference day by Daniel Sorrosal (EMN Executive Secretary, Belgium).

19.30 - 00.00 Festive Dinner at Wintergarden, Hotel Krasnapolsky – “The social link”.


06.00 - 09.00: Field visit - the Aalsmeer Flower Auction.

08.30 - 09.00: Participants’ welcome.


09.00 - 09.05: Introduction to the second day of the conference, chaired by Giampietro Pizzo (Microfinanza, Italy).

09.05 - 09.45: “The way ahead – what do we expect the sector to achieve with the funding available?” KeynotebyPeter Ramsden(URBACT,UK)andMaria Doiciu(Eurom,Romania).ReactionbyMarc Schublin

(EuropeanInvestmentFund,Luxemburg).Moderator: Daniel Sorrosal(EMNExecutiveSecretary,Belgium).

09.45 - 11.15: Second round of simultaneous breakout sessions:

• Enterprise support services, who benefits – the borrower or the lender? Lecturettewithpanelanddebatewithattendees.Speaker:Robert Lensink(GroningenUniversity,TheNetherlands).

ReactionsbyNathalie Denis(CREDAL,Belgium)andLuís Felipe Derteano(GrupoACP,Peru).

Verwey room – 1st floor

• How to ensure that BDS will grow well? Paneldiscussionbymeansofinterviews.Moderator: Michael Unterberg(evers&jung,Germany).

Speakers:Georgie Friedrichs(Qredits,TheNethelands),Corrado Ferretti (Permicro),Vlad Mihut(ROMCOM,Romania),Ioan Vlasa(FAER,Romania).

Berlage room – 1st floor

• To link or not to link? OpenspacedebatemoderatedbyAlberic Pater(TriodosFacet,TheNetherlands)withpanelistsAlbert Colomer

(C’PAC,Spain)andBrigitte Maas(DeutschesMikrofinanzinstitut,Germany).

Mendes da Costa room – 1st floor

• Who pays the ferryman in your country? Moderated by Maria Doiciu(Eurom,Romania).DebatewithintroductionbyRaymond Maes(Employment,Social

AffairsandInclusionDG,EuropeanCommission).ReactionbyBettina Reuter(FederalMinistryofLabourandSocialAffairs,Germany)andGuzmán Garcia(MinistryofLabourandMigration,Spain).

Archieves Damrak – 2nd floor

10 JuneSecond day


• How to measure effects of Microfinance and BDS? Interactiveworkshop.Facilitator:Geert Jan Schuite(TriodosFacet,TheNetherlands).Co-facilitators:Bruno Dunkel

(Coopest,Belgium),Perrine Lantoine-Rejas(FNCE,France),Veronika Thiel(CentreforResponsibleCredit,UK),Joyce Kimwaga Lundin(NEEM,Sweden).

Archieves Beursstraat – 2nd floor

• Will codes of conducts or quality standards improve your performance? Roundtablediscussion.Moderator: Giampietro Pizzo(Microfinanza,Italy).Speakers:Philippe Delvaux (European

CommissionDGRegionalPolicy),Karl Dayson(UniversityofSalford,UK).

Main hall room – Ground floor


11.15-11.45: Young Leaders’ Session: “In which direction does microfinance in Europe need to evolve? Financial services only for the socially excluded or comprehensive packages for microentrepreneurs?”

Moderator: Sandra Moreau(EMN,Belgium). Panelists:Faisel Rahman(FairFinance,UK),Jean Claude Rodriguez(ACAF,Spain),Jennifer Rowe(good.bee,

Austria)andMaria Faddoul(Adie,France).

11.45-12.15: Results of the MFI Development Lab: “How can we prepare for growth?”

12.15-12.45: “The future of microfinance in Europe: what can we learn from the South and the present debate?” ClosingnotebyMr Gert van Maanen,formerManagingDirectorofOikocreditandleadingthinkerinmicrofinance.

12.45-13.00: Presentation: Hosting country 2012 - Romania. Maria Doiciu(Eurom,Romania),Borbely Karoly(MinistryofEconomy,CommerceandBusinessEnvironment,Romania)

andPeter Barta(PostPrivatizationFoundation,Romania).

13.00-13.15: Closing remarks by EMN President Klaas Molenaar.

13.15-14.00: Lunchbuffet–“MeettheMicroentrepreneurs”.

14.00-19.00: Field visits: Microshopping in Amsterdam. Includingsurprisetransportation,uniquetouristichighlights,visittoEntrepreneursHouseAmsterdamandpresentation

bytheDutchFoundationforMicrofinanceQredits.


Detailed description of the break-out sessions

ENTERPRISE SUPPORT SERVICES, WHO BENEFITS – THE BORROWER OR THE LENDER?Microfinance institutions generally agree that loans are not enough to make a business successful. Both the borrower and lender welcome enterprise support services to reduce the risks linked to start or expand a business. But do both parties benefit equally from support services? Are support services a financial burden for MFIs? Do entrepreneurs receive the services they need to maximize their chance of success?

Lecturetteanddebatewithpanelandaudience,presentedbyMerten Sievers(InternationalLabourOrganisation,Switzerland).Panelists:Maria Faddoul* (Adie,France)andLuís Felipe Derteano(GrupoACP,Peru).

TO LINK OR NOT TO LINK?First we abolished Business Development Services (BDS) adhering to a minimalistic approach. Now microfinance institutions argue that microloans are best granted when they are linked with BDS. Should those services indeed be provided by MFIs? In combination with lending, as a comprehensive package or as supplementary services? Should they be optional or conditional?

OpenspacedebatemoderatedbyAlberic Pater(TriodosFacet,TheNetherlands)withpresentationbyMarjolein de Boer(Eigenbaas,TheNetherlands)andreactionbyJennifer Riria(KenyaWomen’sFinanceTrust/ChairoftheAssociationofMicrofinanceInstitutionsAMFI,Kenya).

WHAT DO WE REALLY KNOW ABOUT BDS IN RELATION TO MICROFINANCE?The central question of the workshop will be: what do we know and what do we not know about BDS? In a participatory way researchers and practitioners will be challenged to discuss about what they know of BDS with four experts: a researcher, a funder/donor, a BDS practitioner and an entrepreneur. First, a short introduction will be provided on the kinds of and experiences with BDS provision of EMN partners. Then, participants will break up in smaller groups to join the discussion with at least two of the speakers. At the end of the workshop all participants return to a plenary discussion to come up with new research questions: What would we still like to know about BDS and why?

RoundtablepresentedbyMargot Lobbezoo(InHollandUniversity,TheNetherlands).Speakers:Erik Lubberding(Researcher:RegionalDevelopmentAdvisor,TheNetherlands);Vlad Mihut(Practitioner:ROMCOM,Romania);Marleen Holtkamp(Entrepreneur:Montasordeningencoaching).

15.30 to 17:00SIMULTANEOUS BREAK OUT SESSIONS / ROUND TABLES / OPEN SPACE / DEBATE AND MINI LECTURES

Main hall room Ground floor

Mendes da Costa room1st floor

Verwey room1st floor

Day 1


WHY DO SAVINGS MATTER?In this session, members of the EMN working group on Asset Building will explore why asset building is important and how a range of savings solutions can foster entrepreneurship and sustainable business development. The workshop will draw on members’ experiences to look specifically at three approaches to saving –precautionary, goal-setting and long-term– and consider their relationship with microfinance more generally.

Roundtablewiththreepresentations.Moderator: Faisal Rahman(FairFinance,UK).Speakers:Abdoulaye Fall(ACAF,Spain),Bernard Bayot(RéseauFinancementAlternatif,Belgium),Omar Khan(Assetnet,UK).

BDS 2.0 – CAN WE APPLY IT IN BDS?This workshop will address one of the most topical issues for microfinance organisations these days: Information Technology. In an innovative set-up we will discover how IT can (or cannot) effectively contribute to improving the relationship with our customers, including increased outreach. Good practice pitches will be followed by interactive roundtable discussions on specific questions. A collaborative working environment facilitated by a professional moderator will help find practical solutions to these questions. Come join a thrilling1 experience!

Bestpracticesandelevatorpitches.Facilitator:Jan Willem Wolff.Speakers:Vincent Stulen(Qredits,TheNetherlands),Unni Beate Sekkesæter(NCN,Norway),Martin Ferry(PSYBT,UK),Tibor Szekfu(FejerEnterpriseAgency,Hungary).

WHAT SHOULD MFIS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION EU KEEP IN MIND? LESSONS LEARNED FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.Microfinance in Europe differs greatly from Microfinance in developing countries, where the predominant model is based on a credit-only approach, recurrent step lending and focus on existing income generating activities. That model has brought a number of MFIs in developing countries much closer to sustainability. But nowadays to embark on BDS again and have designed approached that seem to be cost recovering as well. What can we in Europe learn from the rest of the world? What should we avoid?

Presentationofkeylessons.Moderator: Daniel Sorrosal(EMN).Speakers:Gerrit Ribbink(TriodosFacet,TheNetherlands),Leo Soldaat(Hivos,TheNetherlands).

Archieves Beurstraat2nd floor

Berlage room1st floor

Archieves Damrak2nd floor

1. Beware: participantswillhavetoparticipateandgive

thebesttheyhave-becausetheoutcomeswillbeusedfor

practicalimprovementsthecomingyear!


ENTERPRISE SUPPORT SERVICES, WHO BENEFITS – THE BORROWER OR THE LENDER?Microfinance institutions generally agree that loans are not enough to make a business successful. Both the borrower and lender welcome enterprise support services to reduce the risks linked to start or expand a business. But do both parties benefit equally from support services? Are support services a financial burden for MFIs? Do entrepreneurs receive the services they need to maximize their chance of success?

Lecturettewithpanel.Speaker:Robert Lensink(GroningenUniversity,TheNetherlands).ReactionsbyNathalie Denis(CREDAL,Belgium)andLuís Felipe Derteano(GrupoACP,Peru).

HOW TO ENSURE THAT BDS WILL GROW WELL?Growth strategies of European MFIs are as diverse as the demand structures that these organisations target in the countries they operate in. One of the more common ways to realise portfolio growth is to reach out to excluded target groups with only limited capacities for entrepreneurial activities. Such growth strategies have to cope with issues of risk management and even more important: client support. But how to ensure that BDS will grow as well, since the provision of such services differs markedly from loan provisioning in terms of viability and scalability? The discussion will present the perspectives of practitioners from fast growing MFIs on instruments and strategies to ensure that all your clients get the business development support they need.

Paneldiscussionbymeansofinterviews.Moderator: Michael Unterberg(evers&jung,Germany).Speakers:Georgie Friedrichs(Qredits,TheNethelands),Corrado Ferretti(Permicro),Vlad Mihut(ROMCOM,Romania),Ioan Vlasa(FAER,Romania).

TO LINK OR NOT TO LINK?First we abolished Business Development Services (BDS) adhering to a minimalistic approach. Now microfinance institutions argue that microloans are best granted when they are linked with BDS. Should those services indeed be provided by MFIs? In combination with lending, as a comprehensive package or as supplementary services? Should they be optional or conditional?

OpenspacedebatemoderatedbyAlberic Pater(TriodosFacet,TheNetherlands)withpanelistsAlbert Colomer(C’PAC,Spain)andBrigitte Maas(DeutschesMikrofinanzinstitut,Germany).

WHO PAYS THE FERRYMAN IN YOUR COUNTRY?As microcredit for start-ups and microenterprises continues to develop, programmes have emerged to support the entrepreneurs in the initial phase of project preparation and/or in the launch phase of the company after the granting of the microcredit. The practices in the field of microcredit and the providing of non-financial services are far from uniform, and reflect the

9:45 to 11:15SIMULTANEOUS BREAK OUT SESSIONS / ROUND TABLES / OPEN SPACE/ DEBATE AND MINI LECTURES

Verwey room1st floor

Berlage room1st floor

Mendes da Costa room 1st floor

Day 2

Archieves Damrak2nd floor


diversity of the economic, legal and cultural environments in European countries. How relevant and effective are they? In what form are they, or should they be offered to MFI clients? The economic crisis nowadays has illustrated the importance to find an answer on the question how costs of support services be financed. What role can national and European authorities play in this matter, considering the added value that these services represent, are topics the workshop will address.

Moderated by Maria Doiciu(Eurom,Romania).DebatewithintroductionbyRaymond Maes(Employment,SocialAffairsandInclusionDG,EuropeanCommission);reactionbyBettina Reuter(FederalMinistryofLabourandSocialAffairs,Germany)andGuzmán Garcia(MinistryofLabourandMigration,Spain).

HOW TO MEASURE EFFECTS OF MICROFINANCE AND BDS?This roundtable will provide an opportunity to discuss the work of the EMN Social Performance working group on the development of a set of common standards to measure social performance for microfinance organizations in Europe. Moreover, the impact of Business Development Services (BDS) will be analyzed: BDS are considered crucial support for microentrepreneurs who often need additional technical and managerial skills. But actually, what impact do BDS really have on the microenterprises? Do they really increase their chances of success? And how can such effects be measured? The workshop will provide a forum to discuss these questions.

Interactiveworkshop.Facilitator:Geert Jan Schuite(TriodosFacet,TheNetherlands).Co-facilitators:Bruno Dunkel(Coopest,Belgium),Perrine Lantoine-Rejas(FNCE,France),Veronika Thiel(CentreforResponsibleCredit,UK),Joyce Kimwaga Lundin(NEEM,Sweden).

EUROPEAN CODE OF GOOD CONDUCTMembers of the EMN have adopted a Code of Conduct in line with guidelines set out by CGAP/ Smart Campaign. The European Commission plans to issue a code of good conduct for microcredit providers in the European Union. These are all initiatives that help MFIs to align themselves to international standards, ensuring respect of essential ethical values, promoting transparency and setting compliance standards for Microfinance operators that reassure donors, investors and regulators alike. Can compliance to such standards help European MFIs reach higher levels of sustainability? The speakers will present these international initiatives, as well as the advantages for European MFIs to align to these standards. The workshop will provide a unique opportunity to know more about the implementation of the code, provide comments, and express your experience and expectations.

Roundtablediscussion.Moderator: Giampietro Pizzo(Microfinanza,Italy).Speakers:Philippe Delvaux(EuropeanCommissionDGRegionalPolicy),Karl Dayson(UniversityofSalford,UK).

Main hall room Ground floor

Archieves Beursstraat2nd floor


Plenary SpeakersHRH PRINCESS MÁXIMA OF THE NETHERLANDSUN Secretary – General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for DevelopmentHer Royal Highness Princess Máxima is an active global voice on the importance of inclusive finance for reducing poverty and achieving development goals. Designated in 2009 by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as his Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, Princess Máxima works with government leaders, financial regulators and supervisors, intergovernmental organisations, parliaments, civil society, the private sector and the media to raise awareness and foster action. Princess Máxima encourages universal access, at a reasonable cost, to a wide range of financial services, provided by a diversity of sound and sustainable institutions. Princess Máxima believes that financial inclusion is a means to an end, rather than an end in itself. Financial services can have a powerful impact when they are combined with access to basic needs and services such as shelter, medicine, food, and education.

ANDOR, LÁZLÓCommissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion – European CommissionLászló Andor has been Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion since February 2010. Between 2005 and 2010 he was a member of the Board of Directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London, where he represented Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic and Croatia. Previously, he taught at the Corvinus University of Budapest and at King Sigismund College as an associate professor, edited journals, and was an advisor in the Hungarian Prime Minister’s Office. A Hungarian national, Mr Andor holds a Ph.D in economics. He graduated from the University of Economic Sciences (today Corvinus University) in Budapest in 1989. Following further studies at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., he earned an M.A. in Development Economics from the University of Manchester, UK in 1993 as a British Council Fellow.

DERTEANO, LUIS FELIPE President – Grupo ACP (Peru)Luis Felipe Derteano is currently President of Grupo ACP. Grupo ACP was founded in 1969 as a Peruvian non-profit organization focused on solving the educational, business, financing and insurance needs of low-income households and micro- and small business entrepreneurs in Peru. In 1998, Luis Felipe Derteano led the technical team responsible for organizing Grupo ACP’s Peruvian microfinance bank, Mibanco. Since then, Mibanco has become the leading microfinance institution in Peru. During Mibanco’s formative years, Mr Derteano held the position of Director, and in 2000 he was appointed Vice Chairman of the Board. Mr Derteano is also a member of the Board of other important microfinance institutions in Latin America. Mr Derteano holds a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Universidad Católica de Chile.

DOICIU, MARIADIRECTOR – EUROM Consultancy and Services (Romania) & VICE-PRESIDENT – EMN Maria Doiciu has 16 years of management and consulting experience in the area of small business development and microfinance. She works with organisations to implement projects aimed at creating an enabling environment for small business development in Eastern European and Central Asian countries. For the last five years, Ms. Doiciu has held management positions in the Business Development Support Services and SMEs Access to Finance projects funded by the EU and the Romanian Government, and as an industrial partner for Global Finance, a regional equity investment fund. Since 2007, Maria has been Vice-President of the European Microfinance Network. Ms. Doiciu holds a master’s degree in engineering from the Polytechnic University of Bucharest and a Master of Business Administration from Durham University in the United Kingdom.

FADDOUL, MARIAManager – Adie International (France)Maria graduated from ESSEC Business School (2003). She joined Adie in 2004 in order to complete her final-year internship: she was entrusted with the International Year of Microcredit and was the project manager assistant to Maria Nowak, President of Adie, until 2005. She became a Credit Advisor in October 2005, in Saint-Denis, and then took the functions of Adigo Agency Manager at the end of 2007. She held this position until January 2010, before joining Adie International Project.


KIMWAGA LUNDIN, JOYCEManaging Director – NEEM (Sweden)Joyce Kimwaga Lundin is the Managing Director of NEEM (Network for Entrepreneurs from Ethnic Minorities) and project manager for a microfinance programme in Sweden. Joyce has accumulated skills in working with grassroots and international agencies such as ILO, UNICEF as a training expert in small business skills development focusing on employment creation for women. Since 2005, Joyce has managed a consultancy firm, Upendo Enterprise, which offers tailor-made learning packages and tools for developing strategies towards self-employment. As a result of her work she has developed three training manuals (one in Tanzania, where she comes from, and two in Sweden). Joyce is also engaged in projects focusing on sustainable development in Tanzania, such as environmental technologies and microfinance.

LAMAN TRIP, DIEDERIKChairman – Dutch Advisory Committee on Microcredits in the Netherlands Diederik Laman Trip spent most of his career at ING where he was Chairman of Postbank, RVS and finally of the ING Netherlands Board. Since his retirement in 2005, he has been active in social activities as Chairman of the Dutch Advisory Committee on Microcredits in the Netherlands, the Board of ANWB, Dutch OpenAirMuseum, Burgers Zoo Arnhem and other Cultural organisations. In addition to this he coaches executives.

LENSINK, ROBERTProfessor – Groningen University (The Netherlands)Dr Robert Lensik is currently a professor at Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (Groningen University). He is also a part-time visiting professor at Wageningen University and at the Université Libre of Brussels. He works in the field of general economics and is an expert in macroeconomics, finance, development, investment theory and capital market imperfections. Dr Robert Lensik completed his PhD thesis on External Finance and Development. He has published numerous papers in economic journals and development-related magazines on microfinance, debt, joint liability and banking.

LIMONE, ANDREACEO – PER MICRO (Italy)Andrea graduated from the University of Turin in economics and his final dissertation was on microcredit in developed countries. He attended the “First Edition of the Master in Microfinance” at the Giordano Dell’Amore Foundation in Milan. At the moment, Andrea is CEO of PerMicro, a company engaged in microcredit that operates all over Italy. He is also one of the founders of the Atomi Onlus Association which promotes microcredit schemes across the whole country. Previously, Andrea was responsible for North West Italy at the Project Office of Banca Etica, the first Italian ethical bank. He was also a loan officer for Mag2 Finance, an ethical finance cooperative, and a researcher at the Giordano Dell’Amore Foundation. He has had a variety of different work experiences in Brazil, Argentina, Kenya, Ecuador, Bolivia and the UK.

MAES, RAYMONDHead of the Unit “Youth, employment, entrepreneurship and microfinance facility” Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion DG, ECRaymond MAES joined the European Commission in 2000. He is currently acting head of the unit for “Youth employment, entrepreneurship and microfinances facility” in the Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion DG. One of the unit’s tasks is to monitor the operation of the European Progress Microfinance Facility (www.ec.europa.eu/epmf) and develop initiatives to support entrepreneurship and self-employment as a means to fight unemployment and social exclusion.

MOLENAAR, KLAASPresident – European Microfinance Network Klaas Molenaar is an enterprising consultant and trainer crossing borders in search of new ways to apply entrepreneurship and development concepts in society. He is a specialist in entrepreneurship training and MSME financing (micro finance and guarantee funds), having worked in this field for more than 35 years. He is founder and general director of Triodos Facet (1990), a triple bottom MSME consultancy and training company with special expertise in Entrepreneurship Development


and financing in support of micro and small enterprises. He is also founder and chairman of the Facet Foundation (formerly known as the SEON Foundation), which specializes in Business Creation and entrepreneurship for starting SMEs in the Netherlands. He founded the IntEnt Foundation, which supports migrant entrepreneurs setting up businesses across borders, linking Migration, Development and Entrepreneurship. Furthermore, Klaas holds the position of Professor of Microfinance and Small Enterprise Development at INHolland University of Applied Science, and among other functions is a Member of the National Council for Microfinance in The Netherlands.

MOREAU, SANDRASenior Programme Manager – EMN Sandra Moreau was recruited as a Senior Programme Manager of EMN, based in Brussels in May 2011, to strengthen and develop services to its members and the European Institutions. She also acts as deputy to the Executive Secretary. Sandra has worked in aid-related programmes in five different countries during the last fifteen years (Russia, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Serbia and Egypt). She has also worked for consultancy companies in the UK, France and Canada. Sandra holds a Masters Degree in International Rural Planning and Development, a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Marketing.

PIZZO, GIAMPIETROPresident – Microfinanza (Italy)Giampietro Pizzo is a founding member of Microfinanza srl and has been its President since 2007. Economist and microfinance expert, he has gained considerable expertise in an international setting over the past twenty years, working in contact with cooperative organizations, credit unions, rural finance and microfinance organizations. He has promoted and carried out microcredit programmes and consultancy assignments in Italy and Europe. Between 1987 and 2003 he worked for numerous Development Cooperation Programmes in Africa and Latin America. Between 2003 and 2008 he was Coordinator of the Technical Unit for Internationalization at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Giampietro Pizzo is a founding member of RITMI, The Italian Microfinance Network.

RAHMAN, FAISEL CEO – Fair Finance (UK)Faisel Rahman has a background in international development including work at the Grameen Bank and the World Bank where he focused on developing the microfinance sector. In 2000 he joined The Environment Trust, a Development Trust in East London, where he developed a peer lending microcredit programme and established the East End Microcredit Consortium. Realizing that many potential and poor entrepreneurs suffered debt and financial management problems, he developed the Money Matters Project, an innovative debt advice project, with three local East London Housing Associations, to help highly indebted tenants. In 2005, he integrated the two projects to create Fair Finance, a credit based social enterprise in East London set up to tackle usurious and unfair lenders preying on the poor. Faisel is a board member of the Debt on Our Doorstep Campaign and of the European Microfinance Network.

RAMSDEN, PETERDirector – Freiss Ltd (UK)Peter Ramsden is a leading exponent of “economic inclusion” and enterprise led renewal at the European level. He is a specialist in enterprise for disadvantaged groups and areas and in particular has focused attention on the role of micro and social enterprises in local economies. He has wide-ranging experience in advising government, local authority and non-governmental organisations on regional and local development, funding and related policy issues. He is a board member of the East Midlands Development Agency and a Director of Freiss Ltd. He is in the process of completing a major evaluation of the UK’s Phoenix Development Fund.

RIRIA, JENIFERCEO – Kenya Women GroupIn March 2011, the institution that Dr Riria heads as Group CEO –Kenya Women Finance Trust Deposit Taking Microfinance– received the 2011 Excellence Leadership Award from Women’s World Banking and the MasterCard Foundation. Dr Riria led Kenya Women Finance Trust through a transformation process that culminated in the institution being awarded a Deposit Taking license by the Central Bank in April 2010. Dr. Riria also holds the current Chair of Microfinance Institutions in Kenya.


ROWE, JENNIFERgood.bee (Austria)Until 1991, Jennifer Rowe developed all the proper skills a worker bee requires from her rural upbringing in the US Midwest. She studied at Boston University and at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Boston, in Washington DC, and in Padua and Bologna, Italy. After several years as a banking regulator with the New York Fed and counterparty credit analyst with a US investment bank in London, she moved to Vienna in 2002 to work as a credit officer and later investment portfolio manager for structured credit at Erste Bank. In 2009, she joined good.bee.

SCHUBLIN, MARCDirector of Mandate Management, Product Development and Incubation (MMPDI) – European Investment FundMarc Schublin is currently the Director of Mandate Management, Product Development and Incubation at the European Investment Fund. He manages relations with the main resource providers, such as EIB and the European Commission, and participates in the implementation of new products and mandates. Formerly, he served as the director of JEREMIE (Joint European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises), which involved preparing and implementing the initiative. He also managed the resources of Structural Funds devoted to financial engineering. Prior to directing JEREMIE, he served as Head of Coordination and Advisory Services at the European Investment Fund. He holds a Master’s degree in History from the Institut d’Études Politiques and speaks German and English in addition to his native French.

SIEVERS, MERTENValue Chain Development and Business Services Coordinator – ILO Enterprise Development (Switzerland)Merten Sievers is the Value Chain Development and Business Services coordinator at ILO’s Enterprise Department in Geneva. He holds a degree in Economic Geography (Hamburg and Madrid), and a Diploma in Development Management from the German Development Institute (Berlin). Merten has dedicated part of his career to researching financially viable links between financial and non-financial services for micro and small enterprises. He published an article in World Development in 2007 on the issue and in 2008 launched the Synergies Project website (www.itcilo.org/synergies), a rich resource on how to link (micro-) finance to other pro-poor non-financial actions.

SORROSAL, DANIELExecutive Secretary – European Microfinance NetworkDaniel Sorrosal was recruited as Senior Programme Officer of EMN, based in Brussels, in January 2010, to strengthen and develop links between EMN, its members and the European institutions. In February 2011, he was appointed as the new Executive Secretary. Holding a Master’s Degree in Cultures and Development and a BA in Business Management, Daniel has worked successively for more than 10 years for General Electric, the European Commission and PlaNet Finance. Over the last five years, he has managed PlaNet Finance’s activities in Brussels, particularly relating to the development, the implementation and the monitoring of microfinance projects.

VAN MAANEN GERTFormer Chairperson – Microfinance Centre (Poland)Gert van Maanen is the former chairpersonofMFC, the microfinance resource and training centre for Central & Eastern Europe and the former Soviet countries. Van Maanen is also oneofthefoundersofOIKOCREDIT, an initiative created in 1975 to offer churches an investment instrument that was closer to their mission than to Wall St. The organization started by funding village cooperatives in the south and is now the largest funder of microfinance with private savings (450 million euros). Van Maanen joined the board of OIKOCREDIT in 1988 and served as their General Manager from 1994 to 2001. In 2004, van Maanen published a paper entitled, “Microcredit, Sound Business or Development Instrument.” This publication dealt with the difference between the business approach, which aims at profitability, and the development approach, which aims at outreach, effectiveness and impact. The publication is based on the lessons that van Maanen learned as CEO of Oikocredit from 1994 to 2001, and later as Chair of the Microfinance Centre. Van Maanen also holds a Master of Law degree from Universiteit Leiden (1967).


Workshop Speakers

BERNARD BAYOT Researcher. Réseau Financement Alternatif (Belgium)After 15 years of practice as a lawyer at Brussels’s Bar, Bernard Bayot reoriented his career in the field of social economy and ethical finance. Researcher at the Réseau Financement Alternatif since January 2001, he has undertaken research and studies on financial exclusion, consumer credit and over-indebtedness, alternative financial providers, socially responsible investments and corporate social responsibility towards socially responsible finance. Aside from being Managing Director of Réseau Financement Alternatif, Bernard is also President of the European Financial Inclusion Network (EFIN) and member of the Financial Services User Group (FSUG) set up by the European Commission.

BLOSS, JOCHENTrainer in accreditation courses – DMI (Germany)After economic studies at University of Fulda, Jochen completed his apprenticeship as a banker. He has been working in coaching and Training Entrepreneurs for more than 10 years. Notable work includes being a conceptual designer of an assessment and qualifying trainings for junior consultants; trainer and auditor in a qualifying and certification course for senior consultants in entrepreneurship; risk-reporting and benchmarking for German microcredit fund; and development of software tools for microfinance institutions. He is currently a trainer in accreditation courses for new microfinance institutions at DMI (Deutsches Mikrofinanz Institut e.V.).

COLOMER, ALBERT General Manager of Fundació CP’AC (Spain)Mr. Colomer i Espinet is the General Manager of FundacióCP’AC and is also the promoter and General Manager of several BusinessAngelsNetworks around the world like BANC (Business Angels Network Catalunya) and ESBAN (Fundación Privada para la Promoción de las Redes de Business Angels en Espanya). He has established a career managing different TrainingBusinessFederations, like CAT Formació (Federació Empresarial Catalana de la Formació) and CECAP (Confederación Empresarial de Empresas de Formación). Mr. Colomer is also the promoter of Centre de la Reempresa de Catalunya.

DENIS, NATHALIEFinancial Advisor – Crédal (Belgium)Working since 2008 in Crédal as a financial advisor, Nathalie Denis is now in charge of the Microfinance department. She coordinates activities and manages the staffs in the personal microcredits and professional microcredits departments. She is well equipped to deal with these new tasks, given her master’s degree in management, her experience with a big Belgium bank, and several years as a finance officer in the field of international cooperation.

DUNKEL, BRUNOCorporate Secretary – Coopest (Belgium)Bruno Dunkel is a member of the Executive Committee and Corporate Secretary of COOPEST sa, a specialized investment company established in 2006 and operating in Central and Eastern Europe. CoopEst’s mission is to support and finance the microfinance sector with a special focus on socially responsible projects. Its founding investors are major players in the financial and social economy in Europe. They were joined by the International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group) in 2006 and by the European Investment Fund (EIB Group) in September 2009, as COOPEST was the first project to get financial support from the JASMINE (RCP) initiative.


FALL, ABDOULAYEPresident – ACAF of Xewel (Spain)Addoulaye Fall graduated with a Master’s in Translation, Interpretation and Intercultural Sutdies from the Autonomous University in Barcelona. He also holds a Master’s in Immigration Management by the University Pompeu Fabra of Barcelona, and is currently a PhD student in Social Sciences at the University Rovira Virgili de Tarragone, Spain. He is the President of the Auto financed Community of Xewel, based in Barcelona, and promotes the ACAF (Association of Auto Financed Communities). Abdoulaye has extensive experience in the field of immigrant associating in Catalonia, and is by the way very interested in the design of co development programs, focusing on financial education and empowerment to access and manage microfinance services.

FERRY, MARTINHead of Development – The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (UK)Martin Ferry is Head of Development at PSYBT. Martin has a degree in Mathematics and a background in accounting, finance and economic development. Having previously worked in client interactions as a Regional Manager for PSYBT, Martin is now responsible for planning, change management, technology and Government/EU funding. He is a member of the EMN IT & Innovation working group.

GARCIA GONZÁLEZ-POSADA, GUZMÁNMinistry of Labour and Migration (Spain)Mr Garica has a degree in Economics from the Autonoma University of Madrid. For the last 16 years he has been working in the European Social Fund (ESF) managing authority in Spain in the Ministry of Labour and Migration. He has been part of the technical assistance of the Youthstart and EQUAL Community Initiatives. His tasks and duties included project monitoring and evaluation, study visits and research, mainly in the field of business creation. Currently he is a member of the ESF network on Inclusive Entrepreneurship, coordinating the Enterprise Education working group. He is also part of the Spanish support structure for the European Globalisation Fund. His activities also include the support to transnational actions at national level, and the dissemination and promotion of the ESF support for the Progress Microfinance Facility.

GROENEVELT, ELWIN Managing Director – Qredits (The Netherlands)Elwin Groenevelt is Managing Director of Qredits Microfinance in the Netherlands. Elwin studied business administration for the financial sector in Amsterdam. After beginning his career as a management trainee at Credit Lyonnais Bank Netherlands, he then became Branch Manager, District Manager and Regional Director Eastern Netherlands within the Retail Banking Division of Fortis Bank. In 2006, Elwin initiated the Microfinance in the Netherlands project within Fortis. Following this successful project he became involved in setting up a rural microfinance program in the Netherlands. For one year, Elwin was employed with the Ministry of Economic Affairs in The Hague. In 2009, Elwin started Qredits, the only rural microfinance institution in the Netherlands.


HOLTKAMP, MARLEENMicro entrepreneur – Montas ordening en coaching (The Netherlands)Marleen Holtkamp, 33 years old, is the owner of “Montas ordening en coaching”. After her studies in Social work, she worked as a social worker and in different project leading functions. In 2006 she made her first attempt to strike out as an entrepreneur; unprepared, unknowing and unfortunately, unsuccessful. Then, in 2008 she made a new attempt. This time she was well prepared and she used training and advice from Business Development Services. She now has a successful business in professional organizing and workspace training. She coaches individuals and groups towards a more organized and effective workspace, good use of time management and better working [email protected] /www.montasordening.nl

KHAN, OMARHead of Policy Research – Runnymede Trust (UK)Omar is Runnymede’s head of policy research and leads the financial inclusion programme (http://www.runnymedetrust.org), among other projects. Omar sits on the Department for Work and Pensions’ Ethnic Minority Advisory Group. He also holds Advisory Positions in other organizations. Omar has published many articles and reports on political theory and British political history for Runnymede over the past eight years and has spoken on topics including multiculturalism, integration, socio-economic disadvantage, and positive action. Omar completed his DPhil in Political Theory from the University of Oxford, a Masters in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Masters in South Asian Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies.

LANTOINE, PERRINEProgramme Manager Microfinance and CSR - Federation of French Savings Banks (France)Perrine Lantoine is Microfinance and CSR Project Manager at the Federation of French Savings Banks (FNCE). She coordinates, at a national level, the actions implemented by the Caisses d’Epargne in the field of both personal and business microfinance. Through their Parcours Confiance and Créa-Sol programs, launched in 2005, the Caisses d’Epargne are leading actors in microfinance in France. In particular, they have been a fore-runner in financial literacy (Finances & Pédagogie) and personal microcredit (3.000 microcredit provided in 2010). Perrine holds a Master’s degree in Public Affairs from Sciences Po Paris, and a Master’s degree in Social Science from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain). She is a member of EMN Social Performance Working Group.

LOBBEZOO, MARGOTSenior Research Fellow – Center for Microfinance and Small Enterprise Development – INHolland University (The Netherlands)Margot Lobbezoo is currently a trainer, consultant and researcher in the Center for Microfinance and Small Enterprise Development at INHolland University, in the fields of Business Development Services (BDS) and Value Chain Development. Her work experience includes five years with the International Labour Organization and several years as a lecturer. Since 2000, she has worked as an international consultant in the field of entrepreneurship development. Having worked, lived and travelled in several countries in the world (throughout Europe, Asia and Africa), she has developed a keen understanding of the main issues facing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) both in Europe and in developing countries. As co-founder of 360°Responsibility, her fields of expertise are project management, research and training in the areas of entrepreneurship development, microfinance in Europe, and CSR issues in SMEs.

LUBBERDING, ERIKRegional Development Advisor – Cityregion Arnhem Nijmegen (The Netherlands)As a former student in the area of small business management Erik has always been interested in stimulating entrepreneurship and fostering SMEs. In February 2011, he earned his Master’s as a result of a successful internship at the province of Gelderland, Netherlands. For this internship, he studied the long-term effects of the soft business support instruments Start Smart and Start Smart Salland currently in use in several Dutch provinces and called Ik Start Smart. Since January 2011, he has worked at the Cityregion Arnhem Nijmegen, where his focus lies in fields such as on sustainable (urban) transport, facilitating the top sector Energy and Environmental Technologies.


MIHUT, VLADGeneral Manager – ROMCOM (Romania)Vlad Mihut has been working with ROMCOM since 2003. He is currently responsible for the strategic management of the ROMCOM group, which includes ROMCOM SA (microfinance), ROMCOM INVEST (consulting) and ROMCOM Training (training). Vlad is successfully working to continue to leverage the existing loan fund of ROMCOM S.A. by attracting additional financing and increasing ROMCOM’s database of clients. He is also responsible for the strategic development of the ROMCOM network, which at the end of 2008 counted six branches in five cities of Romania. Prior to his work with ROMCOM, Vlad worked with Evanston Capital Advisors in Bucharest, Romania. Vlad received a degree in business management from Emanuel University in Oradea, Romania.

PATER ALBERICConsultant – Triodos Facet (The Netherlands)Alberic Pater (1979) is a consultant working with Triodos Facet, specializing in sustainability management and responsible finance. Alberic has worked with various microfinance institutions in Africa, Latin America and Asia on improving their economic, social and environmental performance. He supports MFIs in formulating sustainability ambitions and strategy, engaging with stakeholders, measuring and reporting performance, developing sustainable services and implementing sustainable HRM systems. Alberic has a background in organization science and development studies.

RODRIGUEZ FERRERA, JEAN CLAUDEDirector – ACAF (Spain)Jean Claude Rodriguez Ferrera is the founder and director of ACAF, an organization that develops the “SelfFinancingCommunities Model” in Europe. Among other distinctions, he was chosen as “social entrepreneur of Ashoka” in 2006. Jean Claude studied World Economy and has a PhD in Microfinance. He worked for four years in indigenous communities in Guatemala, where he founded and directed “Mayan Treasures” (Best Latin-American Indigenous Project Award in 2001). He teaches at Universidad Ramon Llull in Barcelona and in different business schools.

REUTER, BETTINAManager of European Social Fund programmes – Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (Germany)Since 2002, Bettina Reuter has worked for the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in Germany in charge of ESF programmes. She is currently coordinating the European Learning network’s “Community of Practice on Inclusive Entrepreneurship - COPIE 2” as well as the Entrepreneurship theme within ESF programmes, on the national and EU levels. She is also in charge of the development of ESF strategies to implement Inclusive Entrepreneurship in the Structural Funds, for the period 2007-2013. She has business experience in the field of Evaluation, Human Resources, Controlling and Organisation in the private and public sector. She holds a MA in German language and literature, Philosophy and Education and a MBA with a concentration in “European Management”.

RIBBINK, GERRIT Head of the Entrepreneurship Development unit – Triodos Facet (The Netherlands)Gerrit Ribbink has worked in different fields and countries that support small enterprises for the last 25 years. After working in Central America for 8 years, he joined the consultancy firm FACET (now Triodos Facet, TF). In 1997 he was involved in setting up the IntEnt programme, along with Klaas Molenaar. After 4 years with IntEnt and two years working as a free-lance consultant, he rejoined TF in 2003. Currently, Mr. Ribbink is the head of the Entrepreneurship Development Unit at TF. His past experience includes work in the fields of microfinance, business development and project evaluation and monitoring.


SCHUITE, GEERTHead of Sustainability Unit – Triodos Facet (The Netherlands)Geert Schuite was Project Leader of ‘Transparency in Sustainability and Finance’, providing sustainability coaching of (micro) financial institutions in Latin America, Africa, Central Europe and Asia. He developed training materials for Financial Institutions and produced the ‘Social and Environmental Field Guide for Loan Officers’. Between 2001 and 2005 he worked as an SRI research analyst at Triodos Bank. Currently, within the European Microfinance Network, he leads the development of a sustainability framework for the European Microfinance Sector. He also works with GIIN/IRIS and the Financial Alliance for Sustainable Trade producing a ‘Shared Impact Assessment Methodology and Toolbox’. SOLDAAT, LEOManager of Financial Services & Business Development – Hivos (The Netherlands)Leo Soldaat has 20 years of work experience in the field of smallenterprisedevelopmentandpromotion. For the last 10 years, he has assisted MFIs and co-operatives to manage and improve their services to their clients both in Latin America (Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras...), in Africa (Ghana, Zambia) and also in Eastern Europe. His areas of expertise are appraisal, rating, management, business planning, product design and microfinance. He currently works for Hivos as a Program Manager Financial Services. He was awarded an MA in Social Geography of the Developing Countries from the Catholic University Nijmegen in 1981.

STULEN, VINCENT Project Manager – Qredits (The Netherlands)Vincent Stulen (27 years) is Project Manager at Qredits, a microfinance organisation in the Netherlands. Vincent holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Twente University. As Project Manager of Qredits, Vincent is involved in projects concerning IT, financial administration, reporting, screening tools, marketing and communication. One of his main projects was the development of MicroNET. MicroNET is Qredits’ main (web based) application. MicroNET consists of many modules, including: customer tracking system, loan application assessment and monitoring tools. By taking full advantage of IT possibilities, MicroNET significantly reduces costs and increases transaction speed, so customer service can be maximized. In 2010, Qredits won the Microfinance Best Practices Award for its innovative approach, made possible by MicroNET.

THIEL, VERONIKAConsultant – Centre for Responsible Credit (United Kingdom)Veronika is a freelance researcher in the field of community finance, microfinance, access to affordable credit, financial exclusion, and alternative banking models. Her specific focus is on the social impact of microfinance and social performance management. She has recently completed research on the UK microfinance market for the EMN and the state of practice in social performance management for the Imp-Act consortium and the MIX market. Veronika is also a Director of the Centre for Responsible Credit as well as board member of the European Financial Inclusion Network (EFIN).

UNTERBERG, MICHAELSenior Researcher and Consultant – evers&jung (Germany)Michael Unterberg is a senior researcher and consultant in microfinance, SME finance and entrepreneurship. As a graduate in political science, he received academic training at the Universities of Mainz and Hamburg. In his final thesis, he analyzed the development of Microfinance as a European policy issue. Since 2003, he has been engaged, on behalf of evers&jung, in different EU-funded projects on the development of policy measures to foster microfinance in Europe, e.g. a study on capability building in MFIs on behalf of the European Investment Fund (EIF). On the national level, he managed different evaluation projects on national and regional microcredit programmes and has recently been involved in carrying out a nation-wide campaign on entrepreneurship. Michael is the leader of the EMN Working group on Growth, and a member of the EMN Working Group on legal environment and regulation.


Microfinance Best Practices Award 2011 FinalistsThe European Best Practices Microfinance Award run jointly by Giordano Dell’Amore Foundation and the European Microfinance Network aims at raising awareness of microfinance as tool to assist the economic initiative of excluded persons in Europe, sharing good and transferable practices in the field of microfinance, innovation and sustainability and promoting and spreading those good practices to other microfinance agencies in Europe. Five finalists have been selected. Each will present their work during the conference. The winner will receive the prize during dinner on the first night of the conference.

ALBANIAN SAVINGS & CREDIT UNION (ALBANIE): BASHA Gezim & CANE GentianASCUnion is the product of the first microfinance project implemented in Albania in 1992 aimed at alleviating poverty in rural areas through the provision of small loans to a target population comprised of farmers who didn’t have access to financial services. Since then, the project has passed through several transformations from the institutional and product point of view. During the years 2000, the first Savings and Credit Associations (SCAs), guided by the principles of a financial cooperative, were created to operate at the heart of the villages. ASC Union was founded on 25 January 2002 as a voluntary federation of Savings and Credit Associations with the mission of providing financial services for rural area inhabitants excluded from the banking system in order to promote production activities, improvement of living standards and continuous development of rural areas.

BiljanaNASTOVA is the current Operations Manager of Horizonti Microcredit Foundation, where her primary responsibility is to support and manage operational staff in order to assure the implementation of rules and procedures for reaching strategic goals. Prior to attaining the position of Operations Manager, Nastova was a Branch Manager, Branch Coordinator and Loan Officer at Horizonti Microcredit Foundation. Biljana Nastova holds a degree in mechanical engineering from St. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Macedonia.

MICROCREDIT FOUNDATION HORIZONTI (MACEDONIA): BOSKOVSKA Snezana & NASTOVA BiljanaHorizonti was created in January 2000 as a microfinance programme of Catholic Relief Services-USCC in Macedonia and in July 2005 the programme was spun off from CRS by registering a local NGO (Foundation). Horizonti’s mission is to provide sustained and continuous access to financial services to the low-income economically active population in Macedonia, primarily women-entrepreneurs, representatives of the socially excluded and marginalized groups, in order to support and develop small businesses, thus creating new jobs and improving the quality of life.

SnezanaBOSHKOVSKA is currently the Branch Manager at Horizonti Microcredit Foundation, in Macedonia, and has been so for the past six years. Her current responsibilities as Branch Manager include measuring client satisfaction and motivating and managing a staff of loan officers. Prior to attaining the position of Branch Manager, she was a Branch Coordinator and a Loan Officer at the Horizonti Microcredit Foundation. She holds a university degree in Foreign Trade from St. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Macedonia.


CorradoFERRETTI was born in 1952. He graduated in 1976 with a master’s in Economics from Rome LUISS. He has

worked as a consultant, board member and auditor of tourism, banking services and TLC companies. In 1984, Ferretti founded GFItalia, a consumer credit company sold in 1996 to Cofinoga - Galeries Lafayette; from 1996 to 2000 he was President of Aosta Valley Bank and MontBlanc Cableways. From 2000 to 2006, he worked in TLC and internet activities supported by venture capital. Today Corrado is President of the microcredit company Permicro, Saussurea Foundation and International School of Turin.

Operations began in April 1997 when the European branch of Mercy Corps entered into an Agency Agreement with the Local Initiatives Department (LOIN). After the signing of this agreement, Mercy Corps established the Economic Development Department in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was registered as a local microcredit organization on 11 December 2000. In 2006, Partner was transformed into a microcredit foundation with the aim of providing accessible financial services to micro-entrepreneurs and the population, with a focus on rural areas, in order to stimulate an improvement in the standard of living and contribute to increasing the employment rate throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

AdisaDRACIC is presently employed as Product Development Officer at Partner Microcredit Foundation. Adisa works

for Partner for almost 10 years. Before Partner, Adisa was employed by various international NGOs, such are: Oxfam UK, Danish Refugee Council, IFOR etc. She has started as administrative secretary and now she is an integral part of Marketing Department. Adisa is in charge of development of new loan products, including initial market research, profitability analyses and follow up of realization of product placement. Adisa is also a member of Market Research Team and Team of Trainers. Recently Adisa became a Project Manager for the project: “The increase of sales in Partner MKF”.

FRANCE ACTIVE (FRANCE): Grégoire LECHAT & Quentin PEIFFER France Active was created in 1988 by the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, the Fondation de France, the Agence Nationale pour la Création d’Entreprise and several charities. France Active is a solidarity-based financier that aims to create and strengthen workplaces for those who are the furthest from the labour market and socially excluded. The association facilitates access to bank credits for entrepreneurs, and funds development of solidarity-based companies creating or consolidating workplaces. Its activities rely on active cooperation with public authorities, as part of employment policies, as well as on the banking system.

Quentin PEIFFER.Born in 1982, Quentin Peiffer worked for three years in Africa with the NGO Action Against Hunger. Since 2010, he has been employed by France Active as Project Manager for the Company Creation department, and as research manager for reporting activities.

GrégoireLECHAT. Born in 1974, Grégoire Lechat worked with several international organisations (International Federation of Human Rights, International Criminal Court, Action Against Hunger, etc). In 2009, he joined France Active, a social and solidarity-based organization involved in bank inclusion in France, as Head of the Communication department.

PERMICRO (ITALY): Corrado FERRETTIPerMicro started its activities in 2007 and in March 2009 obtained the authorization from the Italian Central Bank to deliver microcredits to its clients, thus becoming legally a non-bank financial intermediary. The founder of the institution is the current CEO. He wanted to create an institution that would provide loans and bear the total credit risk, which was then an innovative approach in the Italian microfinance sector. His idea was supported by two partners, Fondazione Paideia (a foundation operating in the area of social welfare) and Oltre Venture (the first Italian social venture capital company), and was later supported by UBI Bank and Fondazione Sviluppo e Crescita – CRT.

PericaMILANOVIC is employed as Technical Advisor for Agriculture in Partner Microcredit Foundation. Perica has

been working for Partner for the past three years. Perica has a long standing experience in the field of agriculture. Before Partner, for 12 years, Perica had worked for USAID on different projects. Initially he was deployed on USAID Business Finance project, and later on USAID LAMP. Perica was directly engaged on assisting farmers with his expertise, which he continued after he came to Partner Microcredit Foundation. In his everyday activities Perica conducts on site visits to farmers, testing soil and providing advices from sowing and planting to fertilization, protection and placement of produced fruits.

PARTNER MICROCREDIT FOUNDATION (BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA): Perica MILANOVIC & Adisa DRACIC


European Microcredit Research Award 2011 FinalistsThe fourth edition of the European Microcredit Research Award is run jointly by Fundación Nantik Lum and EMN. As in previous years, the Award is endowed with €1,000 and recognizes the most outstanding practitioner-oriented research paper covering a topic relevant to the microfinance field in Europe. Papers presented by young researchers are especially valued. At first, the Award Selection Committee selected three finalists among the submitted projects. These finalists will present their papers during the Conference’s workshops. Ultimately, based on the Selection Committee’s decision, one outstanding paper will be awarded the 2011 European Microcredit Research Award.

CHIFOR TEODORAMA – Solvay School of Economics (Belgium)Teodora CHIFOR is a graduate of SciencesPo Paris. She started her work in Sustainable Development, organizing

International Conferences with the Planetworkshops Paris. Having a special interest in microfinance, Teodora graduated the MA in Microfinance at Dauphine Paris and Solvay School of Economics in Brussels. She had field experiences with the MFI Pamecas Senegal, and lately she has joined the MFI ROMCOM, back in her birth country Romania. Meanwhile, Teodora has continued the researching work in microfinance, with a special focus on microfinance for migrants in Europe and on microinsurance.

LEHMANN JULIE-MARTHE Fellow Researcher – Centre for Microfinance InHolland University (The Netherlands)Julie-Marthe Lehmann is a fellow researcher at the

Centre for Microfinance of the Inholland University of Applied Sciences in The Hague. At the Centre for Microfinance, she carries out a research program on Informal Lending, Saving and Insurance Arrangements (ISLIAs) among ethnic minorities in The Netherlands and the possible linkages with the microfinance sector. Julie-Marthe Lehmann studied in Germany, France and The Netherlands, where she attained a master’s degree in International and Development Administration at Leiden University. She participated in different development-related projects in Cameroun, Malawi and Senegal. In Tanzania, she carried out research on the group-lending model of local microfinance institutions Dar es Salaam. Julie-Marthe Lehmann is a member of the EMN Research Working Group.

JIM MCLOUGHLINDirector of MBA programme – The Business School, University of Brighton (United Kingdom)Jim McLoughlin has extensive research and consultancy experience in social and economic impact measurement of social enterprises and microfinance, adopting a strong practitioner focused approach. Working in partnership with Social Enterprise London (SEL) he led the university team that co-developed the SIMPLE model (Social Impact for Local Economies), a methodology for measuring the social and economic impact of social enterprises. The methodology was further tested and developed on the microfinance sector, initially in the UK and subsequently internationally. Over recent years, Jim has focused on measuring the socio-economic impact of Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs). In 2010 he joined the UK Community Development Finance Association’s (CDFA) three working groups on social and economic impact measurement, helping to create policies and practices on impact measurement for the sector: The Enterprise Lending Working Group; the Civil Society Lending Working Group (social enterprises, charities & community development organisations); and the Personal Lending Working Group.

IRIMIA ANALecturer – Univeristy of Sevilla (Spain)Dra Ana Irimia is a lecturer in Finance at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of the University of Seville (Spain). Her research and teaching focus is in

Microfinance, Risk Management, Corporate Finance and Value Creation. Since January, 1996 she has been teaching Financial Management, Valuation and Financial Planning in various undergraduate courses and at PhD level at the University of Seville. Furthermore, she conducts seminars and workshops in the areas of asset investment, cost of capital, project finance, viability and valuation of firms. Having published several articles in international journals, and co-authored numerous books, she is currently carrying out research in Microfinance together with Maria Dolores Oliver and Antonio Blanco, all of whom belong to the research group “New Developments in Finance” of the University of Seville.


Microenterpreneurs presenting their businesses at the micromarket

gCABFrank van der VormAddress: Prinses Beatrixlaan 614, 2595 BM Tha Hague T: 0900 0121 E: [email protected]

gCab is the European new ‘green’ taxi now being tested in a number of large cities in the Netherlands. The gCab is a fully electric vehicle which is clean and virtually silent in use. There is a flat rate fare of just 5 euros between any two points in the city centre. People can hail a free gCab on the street, or call gCab and they will come to them. gCab is one of several initiatives of gConcepts. The owner explains: “The idea of gConcepts was born in August 2008 during a 2000 km cycle ride from the Dutch city Roermond to Rome. A cyclist really notices just how polluted the air in European cities has become! Imagine how much quieter and more attractive Florence and Rome would be if conventional petrol-driven cars were replaced by electric equivalents. Therefore, we started devising and developing practical solutions to improve air quality. For instance new, eco-friendly transport concepts for passengers and freight, which we actively put into practice. One of them: gCab!”

ZINNERDINNERDirk Kruip and Katja Efron Apollovlinder 21, 1113 LL Diemen T: 020-8466300E: [email protected] I: www.zinnerdinner.nl.

TheZinnerDinner concept originates from Sweden, where it became a huge success. Dirk Kruip and Katja Efron were both successful in their respective careers. But when they heard about the ZinnerDinner concept, they fell for it and decided to enter into this new adventure. ZinnerDinner delivers groceries at home, with recipes that help families to create delicious and at the same time healthy dinners, mostly based on biological ingredients. Clients can order either 3 or 5 dinners at any given week. ZinnerDinner is located just outside of Amsterdam, in Amstelveen, and enjoys a growing circle of happy customers.

DE CHOCOLADE APOTHEEK (“THE CHOCOLATE PHARMACY”)Diny Verhoef-Ribbens Lorentzplein 49 - Badhoevedorp T: 020 - 8224345 I: [email protected]: www.dechocoladeapotheek.nl

TheChocolatePharmacy combines traditional crafts with the latest trends in the tempting world of chocolate. The concept: chocolate is a medicine, it links people to each other and brings joy! Diny Verhoef describes the history of her business as a life changing event: “After many years of hard work, I fell ill. Due to my 100% inability to work, I became dependent on an allowance. But this felt so wrong – I wanted to do something, create something meaningful and go for it… To start a business, write a business plan and actually implement it seemed totally unattainable for me. Nonetheless, I simply began, wrote a business plan and entered trainings and courses. But banks rejected my requests for financing. When I finally came across Qredits, I found a true partner that brought new inspiration and allowed me a new start. My parents, husband, children, colleagues, producers and clients, together with Qredits, today form a strong foundation for my new life!!!”

DON FLORITOGiada GrazianaPampuslaan 31, 1087 HP AmsterdamT: 020-8454188I: [email protected]: www.donflorito.nl

All of the Amsterdam area of IJburg knows the Ape Piaggio colourfully decorated with flowers, that delivers the beautiful, high quality and creative flower pieces of DonFlorito. Owner Giada Graziana earlier owned a flower shop close to Amsterdam at Ouderkerk aan de Amstel gehad, also knowns for its beautifl flowers. But the owners were too young to pursue the success and had to move on. It is Giada’s passionate approach of the business that this time promises true success.

SALSAMENTUMJeroen van WierenAddress: Spaarndammerstraat 34 1013 SW Amsterdam T: 020 6812440 E: www.salsamentum.nl Twitter: @salsamentum

Salt, natural salt in all its forms and endless varieties. That is the heart of Salsamentum. The small shop in the centre of Amsterdam sells the most unexpected salts and salted products and presents these also at markets and events. And with its online sales, the unique spectrum of activities is complete. Microfinance was needed to bring Salsamentum to its current size and success. Traditional financiers did not see any perspective for this unprecedented business, but Qredits did agree with former cook Jeroen van Wieren that Salt not only spices up food, but that in fact it brings life!


Festive Dinner at Wintergarden,Hotel Krasnapolsky

«The social link»The NH Krasnapolsky Hotel Amsterdam originated in 1866, although it formerly functioned as a cafe. The founder, Mr. A.W. Krasnapolsky, commissioned the construction of hotel rooms in the building. This luminous idea formed the catalyst for the makeover from small cafe to the luxurious Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky. It combines rich history with the comforts of today. The location at The Dam means having the historical centre of Amsterdam literally at your feet!!

Address:

Dam, 9,

1012 JS Amsterdam

Only 5 minutes from

The Beurs van Berlage!

Thanks to…Our Sponsors Our Partners

The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation promotes the Netherlands’ position as a leading economy with a world-class agrifood sector. Economic activity and innovation are essential to the prosperity of the Netherlands. The Ministry enhances the country’s long-term competitive strength and facilitates the private sector, which drives the economy. The Ministry takes an expansive view in its approach to economic issues, looking to the environment, the private sector, consumers and beyond national borders.

The Ministry stands for: • A competitive business climate. Through for example fewer and better rules,

and fiscal policy that is favourable for business.• Policy focussed on innovation and entrepreneurship, so businesses are supported in

those areas where it is really necessary. The Ministry acts as the central access point for government information and services in the area of innovation, export and financing. Additional attention is devoted to creating favourable conditions for key areas such as chemicals, water and energy.

• A world-class agrifood sector that can be further strengthened through investment in innovation and sustainability.

• Support for Dutch business abroad. Through economic diplomacy, for example, and assistance from embassies and consulates.

• Clean, reliable energy. Clean energy is not only essential, it is also a prime export product.

Business practices that takes nature and animal welfare into account. This creates a balance between economy and ecology.

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is Europe’s leading developer of risk financing for entrepreneurship and innovation. Its central mission is to support Europe’s small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) by helping them to access finance. The EIF designs and develops venture and growth capital and guarantees instruments which specifically target this market segment. In this role, the EIF fosters EU objectives in support of innovation, regional development, entrepreneurship, growth, and employment.The EIF total net commitments to venture and growth capital amounted to over EUR 5.4bn at December 31, 2010. With investments in over 300 funds, the EIF is a leading player in European venture. The EIF commitment in guarantees totalled over EUR 14.7bn in over 160 operations, positioning it as a major European SME guarantees actor and a leading micro-finance guarantor.EIF has been involved in the microfinance sector since 2000, providing funding (equity and loans), guarantees and technical assistance (JASMINE) to a broad range of financial intermediaries, from small non-bank financial institutions to well established banks, to support the sustainability and expansion of their micro-credit activity.Amongst the microfinance initiatives, EIF manages the European Progress Microfinance Facility which is a microfinance initiative established with EUR 200 million of funding from the European Commission and the European Investment Bank. Progress Microfinance aims to increase access to finance for micro-entrepreneurs, including the self-employed. It has a particular focus on, but is not restricted to, groups with limited access to the conventional credit market. Examples include female entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs belonging to a minority group, entrepreneurs with a disability, sole traders etc. Financial products (micro-credit guarantees and funded instruments) are made available through eligible intermediaries participating in the facility.

Triodos Facet is a consultancy company specialised in the promotion and development of sustainable micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Sustainable business development is the basis for our work. We believe entrepreneurship not only stimulates economic growth but also has the potential to contribute to social development and environmental improvement. Triodos Facet supports entrepreneurs to realise this triple bottom line. We have a team of 30 professional staff based in our headquarters in the Netherlands and in our representative offices worldwide. In addition, we have access to a professional network of more than 500 consultants and specialists as well as partner bureaus in 40 countries.In 2007, Triodos Facet became part of the Triodos Group. Triodos is supported by depositors and investors who want to encourage socially responsible businesses and a sustainable society. In our work, we do not only share the Triodos values, we also actively use and contribute to the know-how base on sustainability.

Triodos Facet operates in the following four areas of expertise:• Entrepreneurship Development Programmes• Financial Services for MSMEs• Business Development Services • Sustainable Entrepreneurshipwww.triodosfacet.nl

Hivos (Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation) is an Dutch organisation promoting sustainable economic development, democracy, human rights (gender, sexual minorities), and freedom of expression and engagement. In the area of sustainable economic development Hivos has been active with micro finance since the 1980s. In 1994 it established together with Triodos Bank the Hivos Triodos Fund which finances Micro Finance Institutions having problems attracting funds from the capital markets. Through the Hivos-Triodos Fund (HTF), public and private capital is successfully invested in developing microfinance institutions (MFIs). Citizens in the Netherlands contribute to this through payments into Triodos’ North-South internet savings account (more than 80 million euros in 2010). In 2010 HTF financed 50 partners with a portfolio of 46 million euros, reaching out to more than 6 mln people). In 2002 the seed capital programme was set up to develop the capacity of MFIs with the objective to link them with HTF or other (semi-) commercial sources of funding. 75% of the 24 seed capital partners supported have achieved operational self sufficiency and have accessed (semi-) commercial funding; five seed capital partners have graduated to HTF. Hivos has supported 10 national and international networks of micro finance institutions in the developing countries. These networks are involved in lobby and advocacy for an enabling environment and capacity development of the sector.

The Centre for Microfinance InhollandWhoarewe?: We are part of the research group Microfinance and Small Business Development. The Centre is engaged in the research, transfer and transformation of knowledge in the field of Microfinance and Small Business Development. Ourtargets: To use knowledge for a sustainable, fair and culturally diverse social-economic Development. Ourresearchprogram: We are engaged in setting up, developing and carrying out practice-oriented and applied research. Oureducationalprogramme: Cooperation between the members of the research group and professionals in the field is necessary to make knowledge available and pass it on in minors and special training sessions for our students of Inholland University of Applied Research.www.inholland.nl/microfinanciering

Fédération nationale des Caisses d’Epargne (FNCE)Created by law in September 1999, FNCE is a non-profit association, whose members are the 17 Caisses d’Epargne (the French Savings Banks). FNCE is the voice and representative of the Caisses d’Epargne, their 4.3 million cooperative shareholders and their elected representatives. The missions entrusted to FNCE are as follows:- to represent the interests of the Caisses

d’Epargne and their cooperative shareholders at both national and international levels,

- to develop relations between the Caisses d’Epargne and their cooperative shareholders,

- to help to define the overall strategic objectives of the Caisses d’Epargne network,

- to define, coordinate and promote the CSR activities of the Caisses d’Epargne,

- to organize training sessions for the elected representatives,

- to contribute to international cooperation.Further information available on: www.federation.caisse-epargne.fr/

EMN SPECIAL THANKS TO:Project management in the Netherlands: Herma HULST, Buro XYZ - full service agency for communication and strategy, [email protected]

European Microfinance NetworkParis103 rue de Vaugirard • 75006 Paris • FRANCETel: +33 (0)1 42 22 01 19 • Fax: +33 (0)1 42 22 06 44web: www.european-microfinance.orge-mail: [email protected]

European Microfinance NetworkBrussels4 rue de la Presse1000 Brussels • BELGIUMTel: +32 2 227 27 06Fax: +32 (0)2 218 31 41

8th emn annual conference programme and speakers · 2013. 6. 13. · 4 8th emn annual conference...

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