Based in Brussels, the European Microfinance Network (EMN) is a non-profit, member-based organisation dedicated to addressing both social and financial exclusion across Europe by promoting microfinance as an effective tool for self-employment and the creation of microenterprises. Its mission centres on facilitating capacity building and advocating on behalf of the microfinance sector.
Founded to bring together practitioners, partners, and institutions—from national networks and academic entities to service providers and banks—EMN supports the development of European microfinance through coordinated advocacy and sectoral development. The membership spans a broad range of stakeholders, enabling tailored support across Western, Eastern, Southern, and Northern European contexts, where the practice and impact of microfinance can vary significantly.
EMN collaborates closely with the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP), which engages around 120 members globally and serves as the leading network for organisations and individuals active in the financial inclusion sector in developing countries. Through e-MFP, EMN contributes to fostering global access to affordable, quality, sustainable, and inclusive financial services by advancing knowledge-sharing, partnerships, innovation, and convening forums such as the annual Microfinance Week and sector-focused action groups.
A prominent illustration of EMN’s influence is its role in supporting the European Microfinance Award, a prestigious annual €100,000 prize that recognises innovation in financial inclusion worldwide. In 2025, the award focuses on initiatives that build resilience through inclusive insurance.
Through its Brussels-based hub, EMN remains a vital advocate for inclusive financial ecosystems, driving systemic change by empowering underserved communities, enhancing microfinance capacity, and promoting policies that advance social equity across Europe.
Source: European Microfinance Network (EMN)
