Our Mission is to further the objectives of the European Union by making long-term finance available for sound investment.
The EIB Group promotes Corporate Responsibility through its mission and activities in the service of the European Union, through the way it implements these and through its internal management.
The EIB attaches great importance to engaging with civil society and building cooperative relations with its representatives.
The EIB Group has a longstanding record in microfinance. Since 2000, we have supported microfinance institutions (MFIs), fund providers and other industry stakeholders in addressing specific market failures and promoting financing solutions for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and low income self-employed.
We are gaining increased recognition as a major player for financing and supporting the development of a sustainable and responsible microfinance sector worldwide, addressing local needs and gaps in the supply of financial services.
As of December 2011, the EIB group has EUR 548m in active commitments to 58 microfinance projects or intermediaries . Operations are financed from the EIB’s own resources or under the European Union’s mandates and uses a combination of financial and non-financial instruments.
The EIB Group is to date active in microfinance in three regions: in Sub-Saharan African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP region); the Mediterranean partner countries and in Europe.
Created in 2008, the Microfinance Centre of Expertise (MCE) acts as the knowledge-sharing platform for EIB professionals from a variety of backgrounds for exchanging and capitalising on experiences, best practices and industry developments. Through this joint resource, the EIB participates in various microfinance sector initiatives.
Prof. Yunus, the Nobel laureate and microfinance pioneer, visited the EIB in March 2012 to participate in a working meeting on social business, microcredit extension and the mission of the Grameen Bank and the Grameen Credit Agricole Social Business Fund.
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