Over the past two years the COVID-19 pandemic triggered an economic crisis in Europe and generated challenging and uncertain times for the microfinance sector.

In 2021, during the turbulent times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the EaSI Technical Assistance programme continued to provide beneficiaries with services and support. In contrast to the previous year, the pandemic was no longer an unforeseen shock to the market, but rather a new reality to adjust to. Hence 2021 was an opportunity to focus on adaptation, to find ways to overcome the economic impact and try out new ways to disseminate good practices within the microfinance sector.

The EaSI Technical Assistance for microfinance, implemented under the European Union programme for Employment and Social Innovation, offers a range of support activities for microfinance institutions in Europe, in the form of institutional assessments and ratings, tailored trainings, a helpdesk, and workshops and seminars that promote knowledge-sharing across the sector. The programme is implemented under the direct management of the European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, since mid-2018. This is the first EaSI Technical Assistance for Microfinance Newsletter. Thank you for your subscription!