The POEO national policy objective on education and employment in relation to microfinance is:

»A more social Romania with equal access to sustainable, quality employment, an education system relevant to the labor market that encourages lifelong learning, a society rooted in solidarity, and better living conditions for all citizens«.

This objective is supported by two main goals:

1. Optimizing education and training systems to align with labor market demands while promoting equal access to education and encouraging lifelong learning.
2. Strengthening the effective functioning of the labor market by facilitating inclusive and equal access to quality and sustainable employment for the workforce.

The POEO strategy is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). Specific objectives selected under ESF+ will contribute to achieving the Specific Objectives.

The specific objectives that we aim to address in the MICROFUTURE project is Priority 7 - Entrepreneurship and Social Economy. This objective can fund initiatives such as collaboration tools to promote social economy, grants for start-ups, and support for microcredit instruments.

Partner working on this policy instrument is the OIR POSDRU Bucuresti Ilfov

The Metropolitan Strategic Plan (PSM2.0) is the main policy instrument of the Metropolitan City. It is updated with each political mandate to define Strategic Policy Plans, with the latest version covering 2022-2027. The overarching objective of PSM2.0 is to make the metropolitan city more inclusive, placing citizens from all social backgrounds at the center of education, public works, and support for entrepreneurship and innovation.

PSM2.0 identifies 7 strategic lines of intervention. Of particular relevance to the MICROFUTURE project is Objective 4.2, which focuses on:

• Promoting entrepreneurship and start-ups, particularly in connection with education and research;
• Supply chain innovation;
• Innovation in manufacturing through new production models and the creation of new businesses within the metropolitan area.

PSM2.0 aims to transform Bologna into a Start-Up Valley by stimulating the development of innovative companies with high growth potential, creating jobs, and enhancing the strategic link with training and research. Creating micro-enterprises in priority sectors is central to this objective. The relevant target group for MICROFUTURE includes young entrepreneurs (both male and female) and social enterprises.

PSM2.0 also envisions the development of alternative financial support tools, fostering the spread of microcredit and establishing a metropolitan hub for information and support on microcredit activities. PSM2.0 is funded by various sources, including direct funding from the public budget for the Metropolitan City of Bologna.

Partner working on this policy instrument is the Metropolitan City of Bologna

The Development Centre of the Heart of Slovenia manages the Local Action Group (LAG) for the region. This group focuses on balanced regional development through a bottom-up approach.

Priorities for 2021-2027 include:

• Promoting employment and rural job retention.
• Enhancing rural services and infrastructure.
• Strengthening social inclusion and networking.
• Supporting integrated local development in social, economic, and environmental areas, including culture, heritage, and sustainable tourism.

Starting in 2024, the LAG will accept project applications from local entities, with funding covering up to 65% of costs.

The LAG for 2014-2020 was approved in August 2016. For 2021-2027, the LAG's establishment and Local Development Strategies began in the second half of 2022. Funding comes from the EAFRD (up to 85%) and ERDF (80%). Approval of these programs, which include LAG funding, has been completed.

Partners working on this policy instrument is the Development Centre of the Heart of Slovenia

The Regional Development Strategy aims for strong competitiveness, high quality of life, and efficient resource use. It focuses on 10 areas:

• Business and entrepreneurship
• Innovation and specialization
• Knowledge and education
• Skills and job matching
• Social cohesion and democracy
• Health and healthcare
• Climate, environment, and energy
• Housing and environments
• Transport and infrastructure
• Experiences and events

Two key areas for the MICROFUTURE project are:

• Business and entrepreneurship: Enhancing access to financing is crucial. The public sector supports early-stage sustainable business ideas.
• Social cohesion and democracy: Strengthening support for social enterprises helps those far from the labor market.

The strategy is funded through regional, national, and international sources.

Partners working on this policy instrument is the Region Örebro county

Since 2018, the County of Seine-Saint-Denis (CSSD) has helped over 400 RSA beneficiaries each year become self-employed by funding a microfinance program. This program supports employment, local development, and social inclusion. Entrepreneurship offers a pathway to professional integration and provides valuable life experience and skills, especially for underserved communities.

To implement this strategy, CSSD collaborates with various partners, including Adie (Association pour le Droit à l'Initiative Économique). Inspired by Yunus’ microcredit model, Adie is a non-profit microfinance institution that helps individuals start their own businesses. Microloans offer financial support to self-entrepreneurs who are excluded from the mainstream banking system and cannot secure funding to launch their businesses. Each year, Adie supports over 900 micro-entrepreneurs in Seine-Saint-Denis, with 50% of them being unemployed.

During the 2020 crisis, CSSD allocated €400,000 for exceptional microcredits to assist the most vulnerable entrepreneurs, many of whom were unable to access national economic recovery programs. As a result, 200 micro-entrepreneurs were able to keep their businesses running.

CSSD defines the policy and invests approximately €760,000 per year in this initiative, providing a subsidy of €279,000 to Adie to support microfinance actions. CSSD is also considering a significant expansion of microfinance solutions by developing new programs to reach the poorest communities. These programs would offer personal loans to improve access to employment, facilitate mobility, or support the informal economy.

Partners working on this policy instrument is the Department Saine-Saint-Deise