<p style="font-weight: 400;">The <a href="https://globalrff.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Responsible Finance Forum</a> (RFF) hosted its first in-person gathering in four years to explore the latest research and share best practices for shaping a digital finance ecosystem that places consumer interests at its center. Participants gathered in Bengaluru for immersive learning experiences, knowledge sharing, and debate, plus interactions with industry experts, as we seek to drive change and spark innovation in responsible finance. A diverse community of financial inclusion practitioners, private sector leaders, governments, policymakers, academics, and consumer advocates committed to addressing the rapidly evolving consumer risks faced by financial systems and low-income people joined the conversation.</p>
Watch full session recordings <a href="https://globalrff.org/resources" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.
<p style="font-weight: 400;"></p>

RFF 2023: Shaping a Responsible Future for the Digital Finance Ecosystem

Financial Inclusion Week (FIW) is an annual gathering of the global community working to advance inclusive finance. The four-day virtual event is a forum for exchanging ideas, research, and perspectives from around the world. The Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI) convenes FIW each year and invites partner organizations to showcase work, share ideas on what’s ahead, network with others, and more. The community-driven agenda covers the most pressing topics in our space, helping to inform and advise global efforts to advance inclusive finance.

Financial Inclusion Week 2023 will take place virtually from October 16–19. Register today at <a href="https://financialinclusionweek.org/">financialinclusionweek.org</a>.

Financial Inclusion Week 2023

The December 2022 RFF virtual convening discussed the connections between responsible finance and climate change. The increasing frequency and intensity of climate shocks can adversely impact consumer finances and erode household wealth. Changing climate conditions are also creating long-term stresses and threatening livelihoods. To date, there is limited information on the consumer protection risks faced by low-income people as they navigate climate shocks and long-term financial stresses brought about by climate change.

Policymakers, investors, financial service providers, and other members of the inclusive finance community came together with three objectives:
<ol>
 	<li>To gain a richer understanding of the consumer protection risks from adverse climate events.</li>
 	<li>To examine the role of regulators, policymakers, and inclusive finance players in addressing these challenges.</li>
 	<li>To begin charting a path forward to help people build resilience to shocks and adapt to changing conditions.</li>
</ol>

RFF December 2022: Envisioning Responsible Finance in the Context of Climate Change

If you have questions about your application, the process, key dates, or the competition in general, please watch this information session on application requirements and selection criteria. Hear from a 2021 IF50 winner, who will speak about the process and discuss how the competition has benefitted them. Visit <a href="http://inclusivefintech50.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">inclusivefintech50.com</a> to learn more.

Inclusive Fintech 50 Application Info Session

RFF brings together a range of global stakeholders to share ideas, research, and solutions on emerging consumer risks in inclusive finance.

Join CFI and key stakeholders in inclusive finance on June 30, 2022, for an opportunity to share emerging insights and collaborate on solutions to improve risk identification and mitigation. The event is free for all to attend

This event has concluded. Visit <a href="https://globalrff.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">globalrff.org</a> for more information, a report, and a recording in the coming weeks.

&nbsp;

Responsible Finance Forum (RFF) 2022

Financial Inclusion Week (FIW) is an annual gathering of the global community working to advance inclusive finance. The four-day virtual event is a forum for exchanging ideas, research, and perspectives from around the world. The Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI) convenes FIW each year and invites partner organizations to showcase work, share ideas on what’s ahead, network with others, and more. The community-driven agenda covers the most pressing topics in our space, helping to inform and advise global efforts to advance inclusive finance.

The theme for FIW 2022 was "Inclusive Growth in a Digital Era" and took place October 17-20, 2022.

<strong>All FIW 2022 live and on-demand sessions can be viewed at <a href="http://financialinclusionweek.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">financialinclusionweek.org</a>.</strong>

Financial Inclusion Week 2022

As a global community, we have witnessed the power of financial inclusion in helping people cope with the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Government-to-person payments were distributed at a level never before seen, using innovative approaches to identify recipients and disburse payments. With support from their investors, financial service providers worked closely with clients to restructure outstanding debt and provide information services on the health crisis. And fintech providers rapidly innovated to serve clients in the complex and evolving context of the pandemic.

Amid the crisis, we remain optimistic about the role financial services play in building financial resilience and helping people navigate difficult situations. Yet the crisis is far from over and threatens to reverse years of progress in reducing extreme poverty. We remain committed in our resolve to work toward a world in which all people are able to use financial services and access economic opportunities to improve their lives. And to do so requires partnership, learning from each other, dialogue, and community. This is the ambition of Financial Inclusion Week.

Ways to get involved:
<blockquote class="pullquote--right">The crisis is far from over and threatens to reverse years of progress in reducing extreme poverty.</blockquote>
<ul>
 	<li>Stay tuned for the Financial Inclusion Week agenda at <a href="http://financialinclusionweek.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">financialinclusionweek.org</a></li>
 	<li>Share out on social media using #FinclusionWeek</li>
 	<li>Join the <a href="https://financialinclusionweek.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=72f6a9abbe&amp;u=394352ae963270aef6c51680d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">mailing list</a></li>
 	<li>Register for the event! Details to come in October.</li>
</ul>

Financial Inclusion Week 2021

<a href="https://centerforfinancialinclusion.org/weathering-the-storm-ii-tales-of-survival-from-microfinance-crises-past/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Weathering the Storm II</a> synthesizes the experiences and lessons from 16 institutions in 14 countries on four continents that faced a variety of crises over a 15-year period. Its aim is to use these lessons to inform those facing future crises, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the key findings from this study is that deep crises have long tails, with most institutions taking at least five years simply to get back to their pre-crisis size.

The <a href="https://www.e-mfp.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">European Microfinance Platform</a> (e-MFP) and CFI are pleased to invite you to join this event featuring the leaders of two of these institutions – Kashf Foundation, Pakistan, and <a href="https://centerforfinancialinclusion.org/weathering-the-storm-ii-a-case-study-of-viator-azerbaijan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Viator Microcredit Azerbaijan</a>. They will be joined by the <a href="https://centerforfinancialinclusion.org/people/daniel-rozas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">lead author</a> of the Weathering the Storm project, as well as the author of the case study of <a href="https://centerforfinancialinclusion.org/weathering-the-storm-ii-a-case-study-of-spandana/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Spandana, India</a>, an expert on the 2010 Andhra Pradesh crisis. Together, they will discuss how past crisis experience has helped them face COVID-19. A question and answer period will round out the event.

Panelists:
<ul>
 	<li>Aynur Aliyeva, Executive Director and Chair of the Management Board, Viator Microcredit Azerbaijan</li>
 	<li>Roshaneh Zafar, Founder and Managing Director of Kashf Foundation</li>
 	<li>Narasimhan Srinivasan, Freelance consultant and author of WTS II case study on Spandana</li>
 	<li>Daniel Rozas, author of Weathering the Storm I and II and Sr. Microfinance Expert at e-MFP</li>
 	<li><a href="https://centerforfinancialinclusion.org/people/deborah-drake/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deborah Drake</a> (moderator), Vice President, Investor Engagement and Research, CFI</li>
</ul>
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-42669" src="https://content.centerforfinancialinclusion.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/06/Screen-Shot-2021-06-24-at-11.42.09-AM.png" alt="" width="621" height="358" />

Weathering the Storm II: Using Past Crises to Prepare for the Post-COVID Recovery

Vulnerable even in the best of times, households and MSMEs have been tested like never before. This is on top of existing challenges for the underserved brought on by climate change, gender inequality, data issues, and a lack of consumer protection and empowerment.

Visit <a href="http://www.financialinclusionweek.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">financialinclusionweek.org</a> for a calendar the events (see also below), information on how to submit an event, and much more.

Register to enjoy the benefits of our robust, engaging and multi-faceted events platform.

Financial Inclusion Week 2020

Mayada will moderate “Advancing Financial Inclusion for Refugees and Host Communities,” a panel discussion with David Kuijper of FMO, Joe Huxley of FSD Africa, Lev Plaves of Kiva, Pamela Eser of UNCDF, and Phillippe Guichandut of Grameen Credit Agricole Foundation.

This spotlight session will seek to discuss and propose solutions to specific challenges that refugees face in accessing financial services. Panelists will present a number of innovative blended finance interventions currently implemented to support, in a sustainable and scalable way, the undeserved refugee market, along with their host communities.

The first <a href="https://www.unhcr.org/global-refugee-forum.html">Global Refugee Forum</a> is a ministerial-level "opportunity to translate the principle of international responsibility-sharing into concrete action." This discussion will take place at 1:30 pm (CET) on December 18.

Watch the live stream <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2367634536861156/">here</a> (Facebook account isn't required).

&nbsp;

Global Refugee Forum

Deborah Drake

Daniel Rozas

Narasimhan Srinivasan

Aynur Aliyeva

Roshaneh  Zafar

Mayada El-Zoghbi

North America

United States

Kenya

Sub-Saharan Africa

Latin America and The Caribbean

Consumer Protection

Challenges and Crises

Credit

Enabling Environment

Microfinance

Refugees and Migrants

Underserved Groups

Digital Financial Services

Fintechs

Microfinance Institutions

Financial Capability

Responsible Digital Finance

Impact Investing

Rural Populations

Event

The <a href="/about/what-we-do/hbs-accion-program-on-strategic-leadership-in-inclusive-finance">HBS-Accion Program on Strategic Leadership in Inclusive Finance</a> is the first executive education program of its kind to provide high-level management and leadership training to those shaping the microfinance industry, including CEOs of leading microfinance institutions and executives of mainstream banks entering the microfinance market.
<div class="sc-htpNat hKaJAO"><article class="text-block__article sc-TOsTZ dUoRvJ">
<h2>Dates</h2>
The 2020 HBS-Accion Program on Strategic Leadership in Inclusive Finance, originally scheduled to take place March 29 to April 3, has been postponed indefinitely due to growing concerns and travel restrictions across the globe related to Covid-19. Please contact <a href="mailto:mlongwell@accion.org">Maddy Longwell</a> if you are affected by this cancellation.
<h2>Deadlines</h2>
The application period is now closed. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance in February.
<h2>Fees</h2>
The program costs <strong>$8,850 USD</strong> including tuition, fees, housing and meals. Attendees will need to pay in full to be considered accepted into the program. Airfare is the responsibility of the attendee.
<h2>Scholarships</h2>
The <a href="https://www.citigroup.com/citi/foundation/">Citi Foundation</a> provides a limited number of partial scholarships to participants who otherwise cannot attend because of the cost. Please note that we are unable to offer scholarships to all applicants who apply. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please indicate so in the application.
<h2>Questions</h2>
For additional questions, contact the Admissions Committee at <a href="mailto:hbsaccion@accion.org">hbsaccion@accion.org</a>. For questions about the 2020 cohort, please contact <a href="mailto:mlongwell@accion.org">Maddy Longwell</a>.

</article></div>

HBS-Accion Program on Strategic Leadership in Inclusive Finance 2020

Hema Bansal is presenting at two events at the 3rd Asia Finance Forum:
<h2>Fintech Bootcamp
Monday, November 4, 2019 3:30-5:00pm</h2>
Financial inclusion is increasingly driven by fintech firms independently, or in partnership with banks. Although financial services delivery models differ across countries, digital financial services have shown promising financial inclusion outcomes. There is little evidence, however, that these services are being delivered responsibly, increasing the potential risks to clients.

The Center for Financial Inclusion’s (CFI) <a href="http://smartcampaign.org/about/smart-microfinance-and-the-client-protection-principles/digital-credit-standards">Smart Campaign digital credit standards</a> address risks to consumers, particularly those arising from new digital products or channels. At the Fintech Bootcamp, we will share these standards, which address a wide range of risks clients are exposed to when accessing digital credit, including but not limited to data privacy and security, over indebtedness, and lack of transparency. They are meant to guide both fintechs and traditional financial service providers undergoing digital transformation. We will also share CFI’s approach to building the financial capability of consumers in accessing digital financial services.

Hema's session will cover the following:
<ul>
 	<li>Responsible standards for digital credit design and delivery</li>
 	<li>Adaptability of responsible digital credit standards nationally and regionally</li>
 	<li>Financial capability approaches</li>
 	<li>Strategies for embedding responsible finance in digital financial services at the country level</li>
</ul>
<h2>Inclusive Finance: Combining Fintech Innovation, Public-Private Collaboration, and Responsive Regulation to Reach the Poorest
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 9:20-10:30am</h2>
Lack of financial and digital literacy is a major reason for lack of access to finance for women and in rural communities. Policies to enhance financial inclusion, especially through technology, should involve more active financial literacy and educational programs.

Learn about new products and services, players, and channels that address the essential need of financial literacy to reach the underserved and unbanked and drive the shift from financial access to financial usage.

Moderator: Lotte Schou-Zibell, Regional Director, Pacific Department, ADB

Panelists:
<ul>
 	<li>Hema Bansal, Senior Director, The Smart Campaign, Center for Financial Inclusion at Accion</li>
 	<li>Peter Morgan, Senior Consulting Economist and Vice Chair for Research, ADB Institute</li>
 	<li>Anil Gupta, Partner – Payments and Distribution, Microsave Consulting</li>
 	<li>Grace Tan, Head of Corporate Communications, Visa Inc.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

3rd Asia Finance Forum

The majority of Kenyans have mobile money accounts; their activity demonstrates digital financial services’ potential. Accion helps Kenyan innovators harness emerging technologies to create new financial services.

<div class="sc-htpNat keAZAq">
<div class="sc-gisBJw iCFDng sc-bwzfXH doQVok">
<div class="sc-htpNat bBOJNH">
<p class="text-block__article sc-kjoXOD hLBZML">The <a href="/about/what-we-do/board-leadership-for-impact-program">Board Leadership for Impact Program</a> (BLI) is dedicated to empowering corporate leaders in the social enterprise sector to <strong>achieve business growth and social impact</strong>. By focusing exclusively on executive leadership and reframing board effectiveness as a strategic imperative, BLI strengthens leadership and management to ensure these companies sustain business growth and drive social impact.</p>

<h3 class="text-block__article sc-kjoXOD hLBZML">Join a select group of social enterprise leaders at the BLI Nairobi 2020 Workshop,  February 23-25, 2020, at the Fairview Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.</h3>
BLI is offered as a two-day interactive workshop where participants gather with faculty and facilitators for role play, simulations, discussions, and more. Workshops are augmented with a robust virtual portal where participants can access resources and videos, participate in discussions, and stay connected with hundreds of leaders in our global network. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with peers on issues critical to social enterprise growth and impact, including digital strategy and culture, data, partnerships and financial inclusion in the digital age.
<h3><strong>Pricing</strong></h3>
The BLI Nairobi 2020 Workshop tuition is <strong>$2,500 USD</strong>, excluding airfare and lodging. Discounts, group rates and partial scholarships are available:
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Early Bird Rate - $2,250 USD</strong> (10% discount). Available to all registrants through December 31, 2019.</li>
 	<li><strong>Group Registration Rate - $2,250 USD</strong> per person for groups of two or more (10% discount per person).</li>
 	<li><strong>Limited partial scholarships</strong> will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can request scholarship consideration during the registration process.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Registration is now closed.</h2>
<h3>Questions</h3>
Learn more about the <a href="/about/what-we-do/board-leadership-for-impact-program">Board Leadership for Impact Program</a> and <a href="mailto:gjaso@accion.org">contact us</a> if you have questions or need more information.

</div>
</div>
</div>

Board Leadership for Impact Nairobi 2020 Workshop

Lo invitamos a participar de este seminario en línea organizado por Portal FinDev y la Corporación Financiera Internacional (IFC), en el que exploraremos las razones por las cuales las organizaciones deberían tener el e-care en como parte de su estrategia digital. Para registrarse, haga clic <a href="https://www.findevgateway.org/es/gateway-webinar/atenci%C3%B3n-al-cliente-en-la-era-digital-%C2%BFc%C3%B3mo-prestan-servicio-al-cliente-las-empresas">aquí</a>.

Webinar: Atención al Cliente en la Era Digital: ¿Cómo Prestan Servicio al Cliente las Empresas 100% Digitales?

Lo invitamos a unirse al Portal FinDev en una discusión en Twitter en la que invitaremos a actores claves del sector de las microfinanzas y la inclusión financiera a responder: “Inclusión financiera: ¿Para qué en América Latina y el Caribe?”. De esta forma, celebraremos la Semana de la Inclusión Financiera de este año con reflexiones sobre cómo el sector podría ser más inclusivo en la región.

Twitter Chat: Inclusión Financiera: ¿Para Qué en América Latina y el Caribe?

Triodos Investment Management will host a webinar with top experts from Latin America, East and Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, Africa &amp; Middle East. During the webinar Dirk Elsen, Director Emerging Markets at Triodos Investment Management, together with regional experts will explore trends, developments, challenges, evolution and relevance of financial inclusion in different parts of the world.
<h3>Moderator:</h3>
Dirk Elson - Director Emerging Markets at Triodos IM. He oversees the management of a range of investment activities focused on the further development of inclusive financial services. He joined Triodos IM in 2012 and prior to that, he served as Chief Executive of SNV, an international development organisation implementing advisory, advocacy and knowledge brokering work in 36 countries across four continents. Dirk Elsen also worked at Shell, the World Bank and ABN AMRO. He currently serves on several boards.
<h3>Regional experts:</h3>
Alejandro Solis, CFA - Regional Manager for Latin America at Triodos IM. Before joining Triodos IM, Alejandro worked for two years as an Investment Officer for Symbiotics Group, a Swiss investment company that offers debt financing to financial institutions worldwide. Prior to that, he worked as associate for Barclays Bank’s Investment Banking Group in London, U.K and at Banco de Credito del Peru in Lima, Peru. Alejandro holds an MBA degree from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Fadoua Boudiba - Senior Investment Officer at Triodos IM, Africa and MENA region. She has more than 12 years of experience in the inclusive finance sector and development finance. She is part of Enda Tamweel board, one of the leading MFIs in the MENA Region. Prior to joining Triodos, Fadoua worked at Incofin Investment Management in Belgium, IFC on Technical Assistance based in Cairo, Citibank and Euroclear.

Mirjam Janssen - Regional Manager of Asia at Triodos IM. Mirjam leads the development of the Asia investment strategy, manages a team of investment officers, and is a voting member in the Regional and Global Investment Committees. She is a shareholder representative at Tenger Finance Group (XacBank) in Mongolia. Prior to joining Triodos IM, Mirjam worked in a wide range of positions at ABN Amro Bank.

Rosanna Sarkeyeva - Regional Manager of Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia at Triodos IM. Rosanna is a Board Member at JSC Kompanion (Kyrgyzstan) and shareholder representative at MFO KMF (Kazakhstan), where at both Triodos holds equity stakes. She holds MA in Banking and PhD in Economics, both from the University of Reading (UK).

Webinar: Trends in Financial Inclusion: Regional Perspectives From a Global Investor

<h2>Savings-led Working Group Annual Meeting: The SEEP Network</h2>
This meeting takes place at 1:30 EDT on Monday as part of the <a href="https://seepannualconference.org/">Annual Conference</a>, but is free for all to attend, even if you are not attending the conference.

At this annual meeting for the SEEP Network's Savings-led Working Group (SLWG), we will discuss our strategic priorities and activities for the upcoming year. The agenda will also include an opportunity for working group members to share their experience, innovations, challenges, research or publications in the field. If you are interested in contributing to this meeting, <strong>please write to us at slwg@seepnetwork.org.</strong>
<h2>Women's Economic Empowerment Working Group Annual Meeting: The SEEP Network</h2>
1. Update members on achievements in 2019;
2. Identify and discuss new WEE initiatives, promising approaches, and resources within our membership and more broadly;
3. Learn about new and innovative women's economic empowerment tools;
4. Promote networking and knowledge sharing amongst new and existing members;
5. Define and coordinate key issues and themes for the working group to address in 2020.

All are also welcome to register and attend this meeting, to be held Monday at 1:30 pm EDT.

SEEP Annual Conference

Sustainability of businesses in the short, medium and long term is down to the business environment in which they exist. This is no different for Financial Service Providers working to facilitate financial inclusion across Sub Saharan Africa. The stakeholders must work hand-in hand to build a conducive ecosystem where their innovative business models can thrive in.

The webinar focuses on discussions around the business environment in Sub-Saharan Africa and the approaches used to overcome market constraints in order to deliver financial products and services to smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The speakers will provide their unique experiences, insights and perspectives on delivering an enabling business environment which should be a win-win situation for both the businesses and customers.
<h3>Speakers:</h3>
<ul>
 	<li>Eli Pollak, Founder and CEO, Apollo Agriculture</li>
 	<li>George Muga, Head of Market Infrastructure at Financial Sector Deepening Uganda</li>
 	<li>Renita Nabisubi, Head of Digital Financial Solutions at Access to Finance Rwanda</li>
</ul>
To confirm attendance, visit the URL on this page, or email info@frp.org.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;