English, Español, Français

http://www.e-mfp.eu/news-and-events/apply-6th-european-microfinance-award

Countries: ODA Recipients (see below)

Deadline: 3 June 2015

Grant size: €100,000

Grant for Microfinance Services in Post-disaster, Post-conflict Areas & Fragile States

DESCRIPTION
The European Microfinance Platform has issued a call for applications for the 6th European Microfinance Award to recognize microfinance in post-disaster, post-conflic areas and fragile states, and welcomes applications from institutions that have demonstrated an integrated response to support and build resilience for vulnerable households and communities living in exceptionally difficult environments or circumstances. The Award will recognise MFIs that operate in post-disaster/post-conflict areas and provide financial and non-financial services aimed to increase the resilience of the affected, vulnerable population. The Award of €100,000 is granted by the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs –Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs and is jointly organised by the Ministry, the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) and the Inclusive Finance Network Luxembourg (InFiNe.lu) in cooperation with the European Investment Bank (EIB). It will be presented at the Award Ceremony on 19th November 2015 during the European Microfinance Week.

ELIGIBILITY

•  Successful applicants should demonstrate an effective strategy to increase both their own resilience (i.e. operations, staff, policy, control) and that of their clients (appropriate financial and non-financial services), while ensuring responses that provide both for the immediate, medium- and long-term needs of the latter. They must be active in the financial services sector and be based in a developing country.
• Various types of microfinance institutions are eligible including NGOs, cooperatives, MFI networks, investment funds, commercial banks, development banks, leasing firms, insurance companies, etc. Applicants must have ongoing operations at the time of the application.
• Eligible institutions have to be based in a Least Developed Country, Low Income Country, Lower Middle Income Country or an Upper Middle Income Country as defined by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) for ODA Recipients. A list of Eligible Countries of ODA Recipients as defined by the DAC can be found at: http://www.oecd.org/development/stats/49483614.pdf
• Joint initiatives from a financial service provider in a developing country and a European partner are encouraged in order to strengthen the links between Europe and the South. However, the Award money shall be provided to the partner based in the developing country.
• An e-MFP member must provide written support for the application, e.g. by providing a short message or a letter addressed to the e-MFP Secretariat. If the applicant is not supported by an existing e-MFP member, they can contact the e-MFP to be connected with a potential supporter. A list of e-MFP members can also be found at: http://www.e-mfp.eu/about-us

The application, together with the e-MFP member support letter and the required additional materials (see the Application Form), must be sent via e-mail to contact@e-mfp.eu