Microfinance in the EU: an instrument to fight the economic crisis

Author: Matteo Placidini

 

 

On 10^th November 2015, the Employment committee of the European Parliament adopted with a large consensus a report on the implementation of the European Progress Microfinance facility. Commenting the decision, the report author Sven Schulze, a German member of the European People’s Party, said: “The instrument works as a whole, but unfortunately sufficient funding is not always guaranteed. The European Commission must therefore find a solution quickly in order to make Progress Microfinance even better in the future." The instrument is working effectively but it needs some improvements to reach higher results. As the Employment committee added, the grant of money should be combined with other supporting actions, such as the assistance to create effective business plans and with bookeeping.

The programme is funded by the EU and the European Investment Bank and has the objective to increase the availability of loans - below € 25.000 - to start or develop small business. The mechanism is based on giving a total guarantee of € 200 millions to banks and financial institutions so as to obtain more loans and better conditions for borrowers.

Young Leaders Forum in the European Parliament

by Seval Alpaslan

Brussels, 12 november - The Young Leaders Forum wants to bring together business and civil society from the European Union and the Maghreb Countries (Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and Libya). The aim of this forum, held on November 12th, 2014 in the European Parliament (EP), was to develop capacity building and to improve young people’s education and ability to communicate with groups, organizations and institutions. 

The demand from these young leaders of Maghreb countries was more education and participation for local youngsters in international exchange programs. During the conference the participants discussed what they can do in the Maghreb countries for young people for the development of their career. 

How the labor market will respond to the creation of more jobs that require higher qualifications by 2020

by Simona Rusu Beschia

from global.wfu.edu

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs invited the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) at its meeting, of November the 4^th, to address some of the employability issues, within the framework of a mandate formulated by a newly appointed employment committee.