Created in 2007, CERMi gathers microfinance scholars from all over Europe and beyond, as well as PhD students from Centre Emile Bernheim (Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Université libre de Bruxelles – ULB) and from the Warocqué School of Business and Economics (Université de Mons – UMONS).

CERMi aims to participate to scientific conversations by studying the management of microfinance institutions (NGOs, cooperatives, and commercial firms), based on an interdisciplinary approach. CERMi’s researchers study topics such as governance and risk management in microfinance institutions, innovation in financial products for poor clients, regulations and public policies, including the gender issue, the role of investors, microfinance and the environment, remittances, etc. A special attention is also devoted to ethical issues.

CERMi promotes high-level research in microfinance, in particular by encouraging doctoral research, organising workshops, seminars, and conferences, and developing international partnerships.

CERMi’s mission is to provide academic support to practitioners from the microfinance sector (NGOs, cooperatives, donors, international aid organisations, investment funds, and banking institutions) and offer critical view on microfinance practices.