Microfinance: Poverty reduction through the social and financial integration of the most vulnerable in Europe

4 March 2026 (13:00-14:30)

Description

How microfinance help the most vulnerable to become microentrepreneurs and overcome financial and social exclusion. We will explain the support provided from making their business idea a reality and become managers of a sustainable business.  The session will showcase the strong support of the EC to the microfinance sector and examples of how microfinance organizations work with people from vulnerable groups to become microentrepreneurs. From the training to the access to funding, and from the mentoring to become entrepreneurs and being an example on their communities. By eliminating all the barriers (psychological, cultural, economic and educational) the microfinance institutions maximize the potential of vulnerable groups to believe that they can become entrepreneurs.

Speakers

Brigitte Fellahi-Brognaux, Head of Unit, European Commission, DG EMPL

Cristina Dumitrescu, Head of Inclusive Finance, European Investment Fund

Kristina Maslauskaite-Perard, Technical Advisor, Council of Europe Development Bank

Laure Coussirat-Coustère, Deputy CEO, Adie

Lorraine de Fierlant, General Director, Microstart

Martina Grigorova, CEO, SIS Credit

Panos Tournavitis, CEO, Cooperative Bank of Karditsa

Toni Sierra, CEO & Founder, Treball Solidari

Vanessa Dambrot, Founder, Telle Mère Telle Fille

Yanina Taneva, Founder, Ideas Factory

Alima Yusuf, Usuaria del Programa Confía, Treball Solidari

Houssain & Lahcen Oubairouk, Founders, French Barclette

Athanasios (Sakis) Tsintzas, Farmer-Business Owner

Corina Ramona Popa, Beneficiary, Romanian Microfinance Association

Stefan Buciuc, CEO, BCR Social Finance

Milenka Nikolova Vutova, Microentrepreneur