Credit: Joe Cummings
The deadline for the European Microfinance Award 2020, organised by the Luxembourg-based European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP), the Inclusive Finance Network (InFiNe) Luxembourg and Luxembourg Aid & Development with the support of the European Investment Bank (EIB), has been extended to 5 May 2020.
Financial services providers in the financial inclusion sector across the world are facing immense challenges ahead due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. According to the organisers, clients will need different types of support to maintain their livelihoods, protect their families and businesses. Among these, access to savings services will be some of the most critical. Now, more than ever, clients need the resilience that inclusive savings offer.
Round 1 of the European Microfinance Award 2020 on "Encouraging Effective and Inclusive Savings" is currently open; this Award gives applicants the opportunity to show to the rest of the sector how their savings programmes are helping clients in these most difficult circumstances.
Since all institutions are busy focussing on adapting to the challenges of the pandemic, the Award organisers have extended the deadline to apply for Round 1 from 15 April to 5 May 2020. As well as providing more time to complete the short Round 1 application form, this will also offers applicants the opportunity to include specific details of how their savings programmes are relevant to this crisis, if they wish. In addition, applicants that have already submitted will be allowed to re-open their application and re-submit by the new deadline (23:59 CEST on 5 May 2020).
