Press Release
Luxembourg, March 12, 2025 – The European Microfinance Award (EMA) 2025 is now accepting applications from financial institutions and organizations worldwide that enable low-income and vulnerable people to build resilience and manage risk thanks to inclusive and effective insurance.
In a world where climate-related disasters displace over 30 million people annually and economic shocks continue to push vulnerable families deeper into poverty, traditional coping mechanisms like savings and community support often prove insufficient during widespread crises. The choice of this year’s theme reflects the urgent need to expand access to affordable and tailored insurance solutions for those who need them most. While insurance isn’t typically a priority for low-income households with competing financial demands, it represents a critical yet underutilized tool in building long-term resilience. With the global microinsurance market currently serving only 12% of its potential 3 billion customers, this award aims to highlight innovative approaches that overcome barriers of affordability, accessibility, and trust to provide essential financial protection against unpredictable events.
This year’s award focuses on “Building Resilience through Inclusive Insurance,” highlighting initiatives that provide effective risk management tools to underserved communities. The winner will receive a €100,000 prize, with each runner-up receiving €10,000.
Eligible organizations must be based, and operate, in a Least Developed Country, Low Income Country, Lower Middle Income Country or an Upper Middle Income Country – as defined by the Development Assistance Committee. Organizations interested in applying can access the Award Guidelines on the European Microfinance Award website. The e-MFP team will host three online Application Guidance Sessions on March 25-26, to review the application process and answer questions from potential applicants. Registration is required to participate; you can find the links to register here.
Key Dates:
The European Microfinance Award, initiated in 2005, has a dual mission of rewarding excellence and disseminating best practices within the inclusive finance sector. Each year, the award focuses on a specific theme addressing critical areas in financial inclusion.
The prestigious Award ceremony will take place during the European Microfinance Week on November 13, 2025. In the previous years, Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg has served on the High Jury, that selects the winner from among the three finalists and presented the award to the winner during the ceremony. Her Royal Highness’s continued involvement underscores the importance of inclusive finance in addressing global development challenges.
The Award is granted by the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs – Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, with the competition and award ceremony jointly organized by the Ministry, e-MFP, and the Inclusive Finance Network Luxembourg (InFiNe.lu). In 2025, the organizers joined forces with InFiNe’s member, the Microinsurance Network, to leverage their knowledge of this topic and benefit from an expert point of view. For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.european-microfinance-award.com/.
Founded in 2005, the European Microfinance Award recognizes excellence in inclusive finance initiatives. It focuses each year on a different theme to highlight critical areas such as climate change resilience, technology in financial inclusion, and women’s empowerment. The Award serves two parallel goals: rewarding excellence and collecting and disseminating relevant practices for replication.
For questions regarding the EMA application process:
e-MFP
T. +352 26 27 13 / EMAward@e-mfp.eu / www.e-mfp.eu
For questions regarding the EMA ceremony:
InFiNe.lu (Inclusive Finance Network Luxembourg) a.s.b.l
T. +352 28 37 15 09 / contact@infine.lu / www.infine.lu
InFiNe is the Luxembourg platform that brings together public, private and civil society actors involved in inclusive finance. The value of InFiNe lies in the wide range of expertise characterised by the diversity of its members.
With the support of
Inclusive Finance Network Luxembourg
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L-1631 Luxembourg
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Tel: +352 28 37 15 09
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