Investments and subsidies: Matching the funding needs of Microfinance?

Over the past two years, microfinance has to some extent been a victim of its own success. Is this the result of inappropriate or too much funding? Is there a link between too much funding and the bad microfinance practices that have emerged recently, like for example in India? Is there an imbalance between the amount of investments and donor funding within the sector that exacerbates the problem? And how can investments and donor funding play a better role in strengthening the sector?

These key questions were tackled during the fifth Microfinance Lunch Break organised by ADA, BRS, Cera, KBC, Assuralia and Febelfin in Brussels on Friday, October 7th 2011.

Malcolm Harper is Emeritus Professor of Entreprise Development at the Cranfield School of Management, and is involved in various projects related to microenterprises and financial inclusion. He was also chair of the microfinance institution Basix Finance in India. Prof Harper will share his field experience with practical examples, while focusing on the impact on the populations whom are served by microfinance.

Click here to download the conference report.

Click here to watch the dutch subtitled video.

Click here to watch the french subtitled video.

Watch the full video coverage below