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The Rise Initiative in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Association of Microfinance Institutions and other stakeholders in the industry will next month host the inaugural Green Microfinance Conference 2013.
The conference will be held in Harare under the theme “Towards the triple bottom line” from October 1-2.
In a statement, Rise Initiative said the conference would serve as a platform for building awareness of the social and economic benefits presented by investing in sustainable green microfinance.
“Greening microfinance entails encouraging eco-friendly micro-enterprises, and supporting microfinance clients’ use of renewable energy, environmentally friendly income generation activities and for microfinance institutions to learn about carbon credit aggregation and benefits for the development sector in an effort to address poverty,” Rise said.
According to Rise Initiative, the conference would create a platform for dialogue for “green” banks, microfinance institutions, environmental organisations and associations, private, public and other civic sectors.
The organisation added that the conclusions and messages to be drawn from the event would find their way into a declaration paper and see the formation of a Green Microfinance Network and Green Fund which would be co-ordinated by the Rise Initiative in liaison with other key stakeholders.
“The declaration shall serve as guidance for further stakeholder dialogue and research aimed at exploring and promoting sustainable green SME projects initiatives in the next three years,” said the organisation.
Rise said special focus should be given to women who access green microfinance services and products, as there was evidence that women clients and youths could be part of the solution to the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on microfinance clients.
The conference presents an important opportunity to raise the public awareness of green microfinance whilst exploring innovative mediations for poverty alleviation and capacity building, thereby inspiring the creation of next generation microfinance interventions such as inclusive green microfinance initiatives.
Rise said the event was expected to attract participants from banks and microfinance institutions, insurance, renewable energy and construction sectors among many others.
Key note speakers will include Ms Anne Marie Chidzero from Africap Microfinance Investment Company Ltd (South Africa), Mr Geert Schuite from Triodosfacet Bank from the Netherlands as well as Professor Edwin Kaseke from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa.
Other speakers will be drawn from the ministries of Finance, Environment, SMEs and Women’s Affairs.
International and local NGOs, as well as leading SME, banking and telecommunications entities are also expected to attend the conference.
Individuals with an interest in microfiance as well as students are also expected to grace the conference.
Online Reporter