This workshop is for MFIs aiming to assist their clients in effectively adopting climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, enhancing their climate resilience with a profitable business approach, and exploring innovative approaches. Microfinance stakeholders active in the region are also welcome to participate.

Register here

Day 1

Tuesday, 20 September 2022, 9:30 am - 11:30 am (CET)

Introduction to Sustainable finance, Microfinance and its penetration in the MENA region

The effects of climate change, natural resource depletion, and pollution have pushed environmental issues to the top of the global agenda. In response to these problems, microfinance institutions have shifted their focus to sustainable finance, which has entailed implementing actions to improve their climate and customer resilience and reduce the adverse environmental impact of their activities. On the first day, we will give an overview of green microfinance and its penetration in the MENA region. We will present the Green Microfinance Development Index, a tool that assesses the level of understanding and integration of green inclusive finance in microfinance institutions across geographical regions. Furthermore, regulators’ examples on the path to greening financial institutions will be explored and discussed.

Key questions:

How are clients and institutions affected by the environment?

How do clients and institutions affect the environment?

What is green microfinance?

How can MFIs integrate sustainable finance into their portfolios?

How can regulators support MFIs in going green?

What is the level of development of green microfinance in the MENA region?

Day 2

Wednesday, 21 September 2022, 9:30 am - 11:30 am (CET)

Development of a sustainability strategy and integration of climate risks management in MFIs’ operations

Based on the survey results on green microfinance in the MENA region, we will provide an overview of the opportunities in green microfinance, frameworks, and recommendations for developing green financial products and non-financial services and showcase examples in the region.

Key questions:

What can MFIs offer their clients to enhance climate resilience?

What are the opportunities for MFIs in terms of developing green financial products and non-financial services?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the main distribution models of green financial products?

How can MFIs assess their own environmental performance?

Day 3

Thursday, 22 September 2022, 9:30 am - 11:30 am (CET)

Delivery of green products and services & environmental performance evaluation

In this session, we will discuss the survey results on green microfinance in the MENA region, specifically how MFIs implement an environmental strategy and integrate climate risk management into their risk management processes. We will provide an overview of best practices for developing an environmental strategy and examples in the MENA region. Finally, we will explore a series of tools for climate risk analysis, energy access market research, and ESG assessments.

Key questions:

What are MFIs doing to protect the environment in the MENA region and enhance clients’ climate resilience?

What are the opportunities and challenges for MFIs to decrease clients’ vulnerability to climate change?

What are the approaches being applied by MFIs to reduce climate change vulnerability linked to their loan portfolios/clients’ activities?

Registration

This event is dedicated to microfinance institutions in the MENA region that have participated in and contributed to the Green Microfinance Survey. Microfinance stakeholders active in the region may apply to participate at the event, by filling out the form below. Please consider that we have limited spots due to the platform capabilities and to ensure a smooth connection and participants' interaction.

Your position within the organization and your motivation to participate at the workshop