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From Research to Practice and Back Again Action Group

Start Year: 2020

Objectives

Bring the latest research findings, best practices, and new technologies to practitioners in a language easily understood by all in order to increase the usefulness of research and ultimately contribute to improve the lives of the populations in developing countries served by the financial sector. Bridging the gap between research and practice on financial inclusion and microfinance is essential to strengthen the effectiveness of the sector, assess its impact and further new frontiers of development.

Current Activities

Project on Financial Health (2022 - on-going)

Research on the concepts and links between financial education and financial health conducted by consultants Patricia Lopez and Waruguru Ituu in collaboration with the AG co-Heads, Davide Castellani and Max Niño-Zarazua.

Research on the business case for financial health for financial service providers conducted with the support of consultant Aurélie Larquemin.          

                                                                                                              

Past Activities

Research project on the Covid-19 crisis and the Financial Inclusion value chain (2020-2022)

Comprehensive analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the financial inclusion sector value chain. Research work supported by consultants Valentina Garofalo and Valeria Pujia.


Research Needs Survey (2021)

Survey online open to all financial inclusion stakeholders on research topics of interest for e-MFP members and other relevant sector stakeholders. Work supported by consultant Lucia Zanardi.


Resources


Financial Education and Financial Health (2022-ongoing)

Research Needs Survey and AG webinar (2021)

Covid-19 and the Financial Inclusion Value Chain (2020-2022)

Action Group Heads

Davide Castellani, University of Bergamo

Davide Castellani is Associate Professor of Banking and Finance at the department of management of the University of Bergamo. He is co-head of the action group "From research to practice" of the European Microfinance Platform. Castellani has more than ten years' experience in the field of financial inclusion. Castellani obtained a degree in Economics from the University of Bergamo, a master's degree in International Relations from the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Spain) and a PhD in Economics of Financial Markets and Institutions from the Catholic Unversity of Milan. He was a visiting scholar at Rural Finance Program of the Ohio State University (USA).


Max Niño – Zarazua, Independant Consultant

Max Nino-Zarazua is a seasoned financial inclusion professional with over 19 years of experience working at senior level positions for microfinance institutions, banks, development organisations and as an independent consultant. Max offers a unique combination of academic excellence having a PhD in Economics and International Development by a British university, Mexican grass roots delivery experience and industry insight from co-founding his own FinTech start-up and currently working with DAI leading the implementation of the British Embassy’s Prosperity Fund - Financial Services Programme in Mexico. He is also a visiting fellow at the Centre of Development Studies, University of Bath, and peer referee at the Journal of Development Studies, UK.


Contact

Joana Afonso

e-mail: jafonso@e-mfp.eu



Tags: Covid-19, Impact, Financial Health, Research, webinars, EMW, Research Digest

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