Resilience and Responsibility: European Microfinance Award 2015 on Microfinance in Post-Disaster, Post-Conflict Areas & Fragile States

By Sam Mendelson, April 2016.

The 2015 Award 'Microfinance in Post-Disaster, Post-Conflict Areas & Fragile State' looked for institutions that demonstrate an effective strategy to increase both their own resilience and that of vulnerable clients, while putting in place responses that provide for their immediate, medium- and long-term needs. It sought to recognise excellence by answering the question: how can MFIs working in the most difficult environments balance their financial and social responsibilities, protecting the sustainability of the institution as well as the lives and livelihoods of their clients.

Resilience and Responsibility presents the key issues which emerged during the assessment phase leading up to the evaluation of the three finalists last November, and extracts nine factors which exemplify the emerging best practice in this field: Immediate Humanitarian Response; Adapting Core Financial Services; Awareness Building & Psychological Support; Innovating With Products; Planning Ahead; Making Partnerships; Taking Care of Staff; Ensuring Financial Sustainability; and Leading by Example.