About the event
The European Commission – Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), the European Investment Bank (EIB), together with the European Microfinance Network (EMN) and the Microfinance Centre (MFC) organised the European Microfinance Day 2026 on Thursday, 16 April 2026 in Brussels, Belgium.
The event aimed to foster a shared understanding of how microfinance contributes to EU social and economic objectives, highlight its substantial impact on vulnerable groups and local economies and provide a platform to discuss how to further develop and strengthen the sector in the years ahead. It also examined the role of ESF+ financial instruments, InvestEU products and other support measures in strengthening and professionalising the EU microfinance sector in recent years.
A regional spotlight on Benelux provided real‑world examples of how microfinance is implemented on the ground, showcasing stories of entrepreneurs alongside perspectives from MFIs and national authorities.
Looking beyond 2027, the European Microfinance Day 2026 also provided space to discuss the sector’s future needs. Participants explored policy-related and practical actions required to ensure that microfinance remains a strong component of EU support frameworks also in the next Multiannual Financial Framework.
Presentations
Panel discussion
Microfinance - a powerful tool for vulnerable groups
Panel discussion
From policy to practice: Microfinance supporting vulnerable groups - Perspectives from Member States
Panel discussion
From policy to practice: Microfinance supporting vulnerable groups - feedback from microfinance institutions
Event video recording
Subscribe to receive notifications of training, learning and networking opportunities/events.