The European Microfinance Network (EMN) was created in 2003, thanks to the support of the European Commission and of the French Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC). Its funding members are, in France, Adie (Association pour le droit à l'initiative économique), in the United Kingdom, nef (new Economic Foundation) and in Germany, Evers & Jung. Nowadays, EMN has 28 member organisations from 15 European Countries. The network's target is the promotion of microfinance throughout Western Europe, as a tool to fight unemployment and social exclusion by developing microenterprises. For EMN, the International Year of Microcredit 2005 is a great opportunity to underline the positive impact of microcredit and to improve the regulatory framework of microenterprises and microcredit in Europe.

"The European Microfinance Network strongly believes that the International Year of Microcredit is a unique opportunity to promote microfinance in Europe as a tool to fight social and economic exclusion by developing self-employment and micro enterprises. Despite a growing number of organizations providing micro credit in Europe, it is important to raise awareness of microcredit to a wider audience. The EMN aims at improving the regulatory framework at European Union and Member State levels and disseminate best practices among practitioners. The International Year of Micro credit will definitely help us to strengthen our networking activities that would lead to the support of thousands of micro entrepreneurs in Europe."
-- Philippe Guichandut, Executive Director of EMN

European Microfinance Network (EMN)
http://www.european-microfinance.org