Pre-conference Activities 19/06/2024 (MEMBERS ONLY), Marmorosch Hotel, Bucharest
First Day of Conference 20/06/2024, InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest
Last Day of Conference 21/06/2024, InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest
19 June 2024 at 09:00
— 19 June 2024 at 12:00
Impact Assessment Workshop (SIFTA) - upon invitation
Vienna room
LUNCH BREAK , 12:30-14:00
19 June 2024 at 14:00
— 19 June 2024 at 16:00
Impact Assessment Workshop (SIFTA): Q&A
19 June 2024 at 14:00
— 19 June 2024 at 15:30
Advocacy Committee (Committee members only)
Istanbul Room
19 June 2024 at 14:00
— 19 June 2024 at 15:35
Research Committee (Committee members only)
Vienna Room
19 June 2023 at 15:30
— 19 June 2024 at 17:00
Investment readiness workshop (SIFTA)
Vienna Room
19 June 2024 at 15:30
— 19 June 2024 at 17:00
National Networks Working Group (upon invitation)
Istanbul Room
AFTERNOON BREAK 17:00-17:30
19 June 2024 at 17:30
— 19 June 2024 at 19:00
EMN General Assembly
Vienna Room
MEMBERS' COCKTAIL, 19:00-21:00
MORNING COFFEE & BREAKFAST, 8:30-9:30
20 June 2024 at 09:30
— 20 June 2024 at 10:30
Opening Plenary
Le Diplomate room - Ground Floor
MORNING BREAK, 10:30-11:15
20 June 2024 at 11:15
— 20 June 2024 at 13:00
Main Workshop: ‘The youth in microfinance: how can microfinance reduce brain drain by promoting innovative approaches to entrepreneurship support and access to finance’
Le Diplomate room - Ground Floor
We see young people moving from rural to urban areas which is sometimes referred to as "brain drain". What role can youth entrepreneurship play in making rural areas more attractive? What can microfinance do to support youth entrepreneurship?
LUNCH BREAK, 13:00-14:30
20 June 2024 at 14:30
— 20 June 2024 at 16:30
Cooperative Sessions
Cooperative Sessions:
- First collaborative session: Strengthening financial health and resilience through non-financial services. Recent events such as covid-19, increased energy costs, climate change related catastrophise have had a huge impact on low power low privilege communities, women led and micro-businesses. What can be the role of non-financial support, such as coaching and mentoring, in improving entrepreneurs' financial health and resilience? Le Diplomate room
- Second collaborative session: Microfinance and sustainable agriculture This session wants to explore the main needs of entrepreneurs dealing with sustainable/organic agriculture in both rural and urban settings and how MFIs can support a shift towards more sustainable practices while increasing the resilience of the entrepreneurs. What are the most effective methodologies to serve this segment of entrepreneurs? Regina Maria I
- Third collaborative session: Empowering women entrepreneurs According to the OECD publication “The missing entrepreneurs” in 2022 men were 1.72 times more likely to be self-employed than women in the EU. This session aims to explore ways in which MFIs can better support women entrepreneurs through both financial and non-financial services. What are the good practices in this regard? Regina Maria II
- Fourth collaborative session: "Romanian microfinance in a VUCA world. Main challenges" The discussion will focus on context-specific obstacles and strategies to overcome them. How to address the needs of the most vulnerable? What support is needed for the sector? Vivaldi Room
LONG BREAK & NETWORKING TIME, 16:30-17:00
20 June 2024 at 19:30
— 20 June 2024 at 23:00
Social Event
Aria Restaurant
MORNING COFFEE & BREAKFAST, 8:30-9:30
21 June 2024 at 09:15
— 21 June 2024 at 09:45
Progress on the SIFTA programme
Le Diplomate
21 June 2024 at 10:00
— 21 June 2024 at 10:40
Plenary Session
- Keynote Speech
- Opening session: addressing the impact of climate change on the entrepreneurs and the role of MFIs in facilitating adaptation and mitigation efforts
- Moderated Discussion
Le Diplomate room
21 June 2024 at 10:40
— 21 June 2024 at 10:50
Maria Nowak Research Fellowship
21 June 2024 at 10:45
— 21 June 2024 at 11:30
Takeaways from the discussion corners and the workshops
Le Diplomate room
21 June 2024 at 11:30
— 21 June 2024 at 12:00
Closing Ceremony
- Code of Good Conduct Ceremony
- Announcement of next year conference
Le Diplomate room
LUNCH BREAK, 12:00-14:00
21 June 2024 at 14:00
— 21 June 2024 at 18:00
Field Visit (tbc)