LIST OF SPONSORS AND PARTNERS

SILVER SPONSORS

responsAbility Investments AG is a leading impact asset manager specializing in private market investments across three investment themes to directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Financial Inclusion, to finance the growth of Micro & SMEs; Climate Finance, to contribute to a net zero pathway; and Sustainable Food, to sustainably feed an ever-growing population. All responsAbility investment solutions target specific measurable impact alongside market returns.

Since its inception in 2003, responsAbility has deployed over USD 15.4 billion in impact investments. With over 270 employees collaborating across eight offices, as of 31 December 2023 the company manages USD 4.8 billion in assets across approximately 280 portfolio companies in 69 countries. Since 2022 responsAbility is part of M&G plc, the international savings, and investments business, and contributes to enhancing M&G’s capabilities in impact investing.

website: www.responsability.com

The EIF designs financial instruments that absorb part of the risk that is taken by banks, guarantee institutions, microfinance lenders and funds when they finance small businesses, individuals, and infrastructure projects. This encourages funds to invest, credit institutions (both banks and non-banks) to lend, and private investment to be crowded in, creating a more sustainable financing ecosystem for Europe’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Over the 30 years since its establishment, the EIF has supported more than 2.1 million European SMEs, ranging from businesses active in the digital economy to traditional farmers. This has meant identifying underserved areas, whether that be geographical, or structural like early-stage or growth-stage businesses, or new ways of doing business like social enterprises, designing and deploying an appropriate financial instrument, and ensuring not only that European entrepreneurs get the support they need, but also that markets and sectors of strategic importance to the EU are developed and strengthened.

In these efforts, the EIF works closely with the European Commission and the EIB to ensure that its interventions have a clear policy direction, pursuing a greener, digital and more inclusive Europe.

website: www.eif.org

CONTENT PARTNER

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) is a multilateral development bank with an exclusively social mandate.
The CEB’s mission is to promote social cohesion in Europe, defined as “the capacity of a society to ensure the well-being of all its members, minimising disparities and avoiding marginalisation”.
The CEB pursues its mission by financing social investment and projects that serve vulnerable people, across three lines of action:

  • Investing in people and enhancing human capital;
  • Promoting inclusive and resilient living environments;
  • Supporting jobs and economic and financial inclusion.

The CEB is active in the sectors of health and social care, education and vocational training, administrative and judicial infrastructure, historic and cultural heritage, social and affordable housing, urban rural and regional development, natural or ecological disasters, environmental protection, MSME financing, and microfinance.

website: www.coebank.org

NATIONAL STRATEGIC SPONSOR

Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego is a Polish development bank – the only institution of this type in Poland. Our mission is to support sustainable social and economic growth.

Our role in building a strong and stable economy is to develop the cooperation and activate the public and private sector in order to increase the potential of social and economic growth.

We want to be the leader of programmes for sustainable development.

website: www.bgk.pl

BRONZE SPONSORS

BlueOrchard is a leading global impact investment manager and member of the Schroders Group. As a pioneering impact investor, the firm is dedicated to generating lasting positive impact for communities and the environment, while aiming at providing attractive returns to investors. BlueOrchard was founded in 2001, by initiative of the UN, as the first commercial manager of microfinance debt investments worldwide.

Today, the firm offers impact investment solutions across asset classes, connecting millions of entrepreneurs in emerging and frontier markets with investors with the aim to make impact investment solutions accessible to all and to advance the conscious use of capital. Being a professional investment manager and expert in innovative blended finance mandates, BlueOrchard has a sophisticated international investor base and is a trusted partner of leading global development finance institutions. To date, BlueOrchard has invested over USD 11 billion across more than 100 countries.

BlueOrchard has facilitated access to financial and related services for over 300 million underserved people in emerging and frontier markets as of December 2023.
For more information, please visit: www.blueorchard.com

The European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE), advised by impact asset manager Finance in Motion, is an impact fund that takes a comprehensive approach to fostering economic development and prosperity in Southeast Europe and the EU Eastern Neighbourhood Region. By investing in local financial infrastructure that provides dedicated financing to micro, small and medium enterprises, the Fund supports the backbone of these regions’ economy. As one of the largest MSME funds worldwide, it has a long and successful track record in building strategic partnerships with local financial players, providing tailored debt financing solutions, including local currency loans and targeted agri-financing. The Fund’s investment activities are complemented by the nonfinancial support of the EFSE Development Facility, which builds capacities, facilitates knowledge exchange, and nourishes an environment for entrepreneurs to grow.

EFSE was initiated in 2005 by KfW Development Bank with the financial support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Commission. As the first public-private partnership of its kind, EFSE draws its capital from donor agencies, international financial institutions, and private institutional investors.

website: www.efse.lu

Finance in Motion, Germany serves as EFSE’s advisor and is a global impact asset manager focused exclusively on sustainable development in emerging markets and developing economies. The company structures, manages, and advises impact investment funds that bring together public and private investors to address climate change, strengthen biodiversity conservation, foster the sustainable use of natural resources, improve livelihoods, and promote economic opportunities. EFSE’s impact is managed in line with the industry standard Operating Principles for Impact Management, also demonstrated by the strong results of the latest independent verification of the advisor’s impact management practices in 2023.  

website: www.finance-in-motion.com

Frankfurt School is a leading business school in Europe that focuses on finance and management through research, education, and advisory services. Finance and management address two core organisational processes: managing capital flows, and people, for better performance. Our ambition is to change perspectives, including our own. Whether for a one-day workshop, a conference, or a multi-year academic programme, everyone who comes to us can expect to be challenged and enlightened. Our International Advisory Services (IAS) department is committed to improving financial markets and to increasing access to finance. For this purpose IAS structures and implements consulting and training projects in Europe, as well as developing and transition countries in emerging markets. Since starting our international advisory business in 1992, Frankfurt School has successfully designed, managed, and implemented more than 1000 development finance projects in 130 countries all over the globe.

website: www.fs.de

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort and has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit housing organization working in more than 70 countries. Through financial support, volunteering, or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives.
To learn more, donate, or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org

Habitat for Humanity is committed to providing lasting solutions to the global aff­ordable housing crisis by promoting in­clusive housing market systems. To help make this goal a reality, Habitat established the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter – an instrument for expanding innovative and client­ responsive services, products, and financing, making affordable housing possible for millions of fam­ilies.

Habitat’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter has worked with 100+ companies around the world and 70+ startups on their business models and strategies in the affordable housing market using a human centered, systems approach.
To learn more about HFH’s Terwilliger Center please visit www.habitat.org/tcis

IMPACT MANAGEMENT PARTNER

Agents for Impact GmbH (Estd. in 2019), is a Frankfurt based Impact Investing Company providing expert advisory services, personalized solutions, and comprehensive sustainability rating services to impact investors in the sustainable finance industry. We specialize in guiding investments in emerging markets that align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring a responsible, transparent, and impactful approach to sustainable investing.

website: www.agentsforimpact.com

PARTNERS

Accion is a global nonprofit on a mission to create a fair and inclusive economy for the nearly 2 billion people who are failed by the global financial system. We develop and scale responsible digital financial solutions for small business owners, smallholder farmers, and women, so they can make informed decisions and improve their lives. Through targeted investment strategies, advisory, and expert thought leadership, we work with local partners to develop and scale cheaper, more accessible, and customer-friendly financial solutions. Since 1961, Accion has helped build more than 235 financial service providers serving low-income clients in 75 countries, reaching more than 350 million people.

Accion Advisory combines decades of on-the-ground experience with insights into new technologies to help our partners become more sustainable and scalable. We work with a variety of organizations focused on serving the financial needs of low-income people and businesses in emerging markets, including financial service providers, fintech companies, platforms, and fast-moving consumer goods companies. Our global team provides strategic and operational support to strengthen our partners and maximize their impact on underserved customers.
website: www.accion.org

Aspekt is a global software provider and trusted partner empowering financial institutions with its in-depth industry knowledge and technology expertise. Aspekt delivers innovative financial software solutions for businesses ready to grow, leveraging its position as their trusted technology partner. The company’s unwavering specialized industry knowledge and support are dedicated to fueling Client’s success and helping them achieve their business goals.

Aspekt revolutionizes finance with deep industry expertise and tech innovation and takes customers on a digital journey, helping them cater to the unique requirements of modern banking. As a long-term partner of its clients, Aspekt navigates the evolving digital landscape together, driving innovation and unlocking client’s full potential.

website: www.aspekt.mk

Incofin logo

Incofin is an emerging markets impact investment fund manager focused on the agrifood value chain, financial inclusion and safe drinking water sector. Incofin IM is an AIFM licensed fund manager and has over EUR 1.4 billion in assets under management. Incofin has a team of more than 100 professionals spread over its headquarters in Belgium and local investment teams in India, Colombia, Kenya and Cambodia.

website: www.incofin.com

Triple Jump is an impact-focused investment manager that provides meaningful investment opportunities in emerging markets. We focus on supporting institutions, businesses, and entrepreneurs with the aim of having a positive impact. We are headquartered in Amsterdam and have offices in Lima, Mexico City, Nairobi, Tbilisi and Bangkok.

We have a 17-year track record of pioneering impact investments in markets where finance offers solutions to global challenges and over EUR 1 billion in assets under management. The funds we manage and advise on provide financing across five impact themes: financial inclusion, affordable housing, missing middle finance (SME financing), access to energy, and climate and nature.

website: www.triplejump.eu

HONORARY PATRONAGE

Self-government organization of banks, established in 1991, founded on the Chambers of Commerce Charter. Membership in the ZBP is voluntary and open for all banks created under the Polish law as well as for foreign credit institutions branches operating in the Republic of Poland

As part of its activities to support the development of the financial market, the Polish Bank Association also undertakes a number of activities for the inclusiveness of the banking market, the development of banking cooperatives, microfinance and the system supporting access to financial services, including the protection of customers – primarily consumers – against threats such as cybercrime.

There are a number of councils and committees operating within the ZBP, including the Cooperative Banking Committee, the Committee for Sustainable Financing, the Committee for financing NGOs, and the Council for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The Polish Bank Association also participates in the work of national and international institutions and organizations in the development of access to financial services.

The National Contact Point for Financial Instruments of EU Programs has been operating at the Polish Bank Association since 2007, within which, together with the EC, EIB Group, Polish government and the financial market, activities are undertaken to support the development of microfinance, social economy and financing for start-ups. KPK has been a member of the MFC since 2021.

website: www.zbp.pl

MEDIA PARTNERS

CGAP’s FinDev Gateway is a global platform for knowledge sharing in financial inclusion. Available in four languages – English, French, Arabic, and Spanish – FinDev enables practitioners to share lessons, views, and expertise through blog contributions, interviews, and webinar presentations. Each language site specializes in content relevant to its associated region.
FinDev Gateway hosts more than 10,000 publications from over 1,700 organizations across its four platforms.
Here are three things you can do to become part of the FinDev’s financial inclusion community:

  • Join thier email list to keep up with the latest news, publications, events and jobs
  • Share your work on FinDev Gateway
  • Get in touch with FinDev to learn about different opportunities for sharing your ideas

website: www.findevgateway.org

The SME Finance Forum is the leading global network of SME oriented financiers – banks, non-banks financial institutions, fintech, development institutions, insurers, real sector companies and investment funds – that fosters MSME sustainable growth.

We have established a network of 240 active member institutions who operate in over 190 countries, sharing the common purpose of helping underserved enterprises.

The Forum empowers MSMEs’ access to finance, markets, and skills to make an impact.

website: www.smefinanceforum.org

HOST CITY

LOGISTIC PARTNER

About Microfinance Centre (MFC)

 

MFC logo

A social finance network that promotes fairness, inclusion, equality, and responsible service. Microfinance Centre unites over 120 organisations across 35 countries of Europe and Central Asia, who together deliver responsible microfinance services to almost 2,000,000 low-income clients.
Our mission is to empower people and communities through sustainable social finance. Together with our members – microfinance, financial cooperative systems, social finance banks, social investors, academic institutions, national and international support organizations and networks – we seek to make financial services work effectively for people, communities and the planet by embracing sustainability good practices and standards, sharing knowledge, advocacy and networking in the region of Europe and Central Asia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kraków