About MFC

MFC is a grassroots network of 105 microfinance institutions from Europe and Central Asia. MFC members range from banks, non-governmental organizations, social and commercial investors, to development institutions and international private voluntary organizations. All share an interest in microfinance, as providers of financial services, capital or technical assistance. MFC  develops capacity of microfinance institutions through: annual conferences, trainings, research and policy advice.

Our mission is to contribute to poverty reduction and human potential development by promoting a socially oriented and sustainable microfinance sector that provides adequate financial and non-financial services to a large number of poor families and micro-entrepreneurs.

MFC plays a catalyst role in bridging the market gap between dramatic unmet demand for microfinance services and the sector current offering through supporting development of a wide range of financial institutions, promoting microfinance among policy makers, regulators, formal banking sector and investors. We support members in different country contexts - from EU member states, through fast-developing Caucasian states to the poorest countries in Central Asia.

Realising that there is a need for comprehensive actions in facilitating financial access, MFC programs include:

MFC Research Program which offers quantitative and qualitative research studies on the demand for financial services (credit, deposits, microinsurance), access to finance, over-indebtedness, entrepreneurship and many others.

MFC Financial Education Program is designed to develop country-level capacity to offer financial education to low income people. MFC financial education schemes were introduced in Poland, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and many other countries.

MFC Capacity Building Program provides opportunities in strategic and operational development of MFIs. Examples include customised training courses, courses and consulting services in the areas such as: Risk Management, Delinquency Management for MFIs, Credit Scoring, Business Planning & Financial Modeling, Investment Readiness, Customer Service for MFIs and Social Performance Assessment Services.

MFC Performance Management Program supports MFIs and networks in clarifying their social performance strategies, reporting on achieving social results, diagnosing and improving functional areas to align them with the principles of client protection and good management practice.

MFC Policy Program provides advice in developing policy frameworks for access to finance as well as opportunities for policy makers and regulators’ peer exchange and learning.