Researchers win prestigious microfinance research award

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) researchers from the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health, Dr Olga Biosca and Enrico Bellazzecca, have won a prestigious research award.

The European Microfinance Research Award is co-sponsored by The Hague University of Applied Sciences and the European Microfinance Network. The award comes with a grant of €1,000.

The winning paper, entitled 'Can microfinance regulation encourage mission drift? The Italian case', was selected because of its contribution to better understanding how regulation can alter the delicate balance in the management of microfinance institutions' social and financial goals.  

Achieving both financial and social objectives has proved challenging for microfinance institutions operating in Europe. The European Union has traditionally played a role in supporting the social mission of many MFIs through favourable policies and financial support. However, differences in the microfinance regulatory environments in each of the European countries have contributed to cross-country variations in the sector’s evolution. 

The European Microfinance Research Award was presented at the 14th EMN Annual Conference, held in Venice.