3rd STAKEHOLDER MEETING HELD IN SLOVENIA
The 3rd Stakeholder Meeting in Slovenia marked an important step towards improving the current public policy on microfinances. It was held in Ljubljana at the Ministry of Economy, Tourism, and Sport, with respresentatives of Sector for Social Economy,on the 24th of July. The goal of the meeting was to present highlights from the 3rd Interregional learning event in Paris and future steps for collaboration between Development Centre of the Heart of Slovenia and the Ministry were set.
The most important highlight of the meeting was the presentation of MICROFUTURE good practices and some of them have the potential for implementation in our national microfinance environment. Development Centre of the Heart of Slovenia showcased eight exemplary practices from France, Italy, Romania, and Sweden. These practices address various challenges related to accessing microcredits. Detailed information about these successful models can also be found on the Microfuture project website under “Microfuture Good Practices”. The Ministry of Economy, Tourism, and Sports preferred the "Clubs CIGALES" initiative among the good practices, which involves citizens pooling their savings to support local social projects. These clubs not only provide financial assistance but also offer voluntary support to social entrepreneurs, helping them strengthen their ventures with the members' experience and networks. CIGALES stands out as a pioneer in socially responsible savings, presenting significant potential for adaptation in our national microfinance sector.
The primary goal of the Microfuture project is to raise awareness and foster collaboration among key stakeholders. These stakeholders include social enterprises, financial institutions, policymakers, and vulnerable groups. By improving access to diverse micro-financial mechanisms, we can significantly enhance support for our target groups.
Several best practices presented during the meeting hold promise for implementation in Slovenia. To explore this further, Development Centre of the Heart of Slovenia plans to engage directly with practitioners who have successfully implemented these models. Gathering additional insights from their experiences will inform our approach.
The meeting with key policymakers at the Ministry emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation. Moving forward, we will focus on the following areas. Detailed information collection will involve engaging directly with practitioners from the highlighted best practices to gather comprehensive insights and practical details. Additionally, we aim to understand the contextual factors that contribute to their success. Promoting awareness is another key focus, as we work on enhancing the visibility of micro-financial mechanisms available to vulnerable groups and social enterprises. This also includes educating potential beneficiaries about the opportunities and resources at their disposal. Lastly, strengthening collaboration is essential, we plan to encourage partnership between stakeholders to create a supportive ecosystem for microfinancing and facilitate knowledge exchange and joint initiatives.
In conclusion, the 3rd Stakeholder Meeting in Slovenia reaffirmed our commitment to advancing microfinancing for vulnerable groups and social enterprises. By learning from successful practices and fostering collaboration, we can create a more inclusive and resilient financial landscape.