1. Presentatie titel Locatie 01/01/2009 Milan, June 4th 2009 Microfinance in The Netherlands Central facilities and Local implementation D. Laman Trip

2. Presentatie titel Locatie 01/01/2009 12 The setting in 2007  The Netherlands has a population of 16,5 million  The working population is 7,5 million General figures Business figures Microfinance figures 2007  20% of the working population is considering to start a business: 3 million people  100.000 people actually starts a business (3.3%)  Targetgroup for microfinance 600.000 persons of which only 100.000 live on social welfare  Limited # of microfinance initiatives and only 200 microloans a year - 1 -

3. Presentatie titel Locatie 01/01/2009 13 The approach  Study the market (2005 – 2007)  Establish National Council of Microfinance (2007 – present)  General policy advice (2007)  Political commitment (ongoing)  Allocate funds and establish project bureau (2008)  Stimulate local pilot programmes (2008)  Create central credit institute (2009) - 2 -

4. Presentatie titel Locatie 01/01/2009 14 The dutch government stimulates microfinance  To stimulate entrepreneurship  To encourage social cohesion  To decrease unemployment An amount of 5 million euros a year is disposed for the implementation of microfinance in the Netherlands - 3 -

5. Presentatie titel Locatie 01/01/2009 15 Advisory council on microfinance A high ranking advisory council was founded on february 2nd 2007 to advice the government on implementing microfinance in the Netherlands. Members of the advisory council: Mr. D. Laman Trip (chairman), former chairman of the board of ING Group in the Netherlands HRH Princess Máxima Mr. L.M.M. Bolsius, alderman of Rotterdam – Finance, Harbour and Sports Mr. N. Molenaar, professor of microfinance at UAC INHolland and chairman of the European Network of Microfinance Mr. B. Staal, chairman of the Dutch Association of Banks Mrs. J. Sylvester, member of senate, mayoress of Anna Palowna - 4 -

6. Presentatie titel Locatie 01/01/2009 16 Conclusions microfinance in the Netherlands 1. Market is there There is potential for microfinance. Banks should be involved (payments, savings) 2. Lessons learned from europe - Distribution (local presence) - Communication (national and local awareness) - Coaching (voluntary and paid) - Combination with financing (central availability). 3. Solution A microfinance system with local professional advisors and organizations. Central availability of granting loans. - 5 -

7. Presentatie titel Locatie 01/01/2009 17 Responsibilties of the council 1.To make recommendations to the government on how to encourage, implement and govern microfinance in the Netherlands Awareness Distribution Coaching Financing 2.To stimulate, start and support growth of microfinance organisations 3.To act as an ambassador 4. Support the coordination between different government organisations The council reports directly to the secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs - 6 -

8. Presentatie titel Locatie 01/01/2009 18 The dutch approach - - Qredits Dutch Foundation for micro loans (15 million euros, public and private) Central back office Independent foundation Efficient processes Local branches Coaching before starting Local funding 22 existing initiatives 18 “under construction” Local initiatives Loans V - Coaching networks Coaching after starting Local funding 130 coaching organizations signed in - 7 -

9. Presentatie titel Locatie 01/01/2009 19 1. website => search engine for entrepreneurs to find local initiative and consultants (postal code based) 2. website => financing for entrepreneurs 3. website => information for microfinance initiatives Project organization The projectteam Microfinance is part of the Ministry of Economics Affairs in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment Responsible for: Stimulating local microfinance initiatives Communication and information to and on behalf of the initiatives and entrepreneurs - 8 -

10. Presentatie titel Locatie 01/01/2009 110 Results so far: financing Number of loans (since January’09): Qredits/Banks Number of requests1.220* Number of granted loans 185 Total amount € 3.8 million Average amount€ 20.500 * The mayority of the requests is taken in consideration. 35% of the requests are granted - 9 -

11. Presentatie titel Locatie 01/01/2009 111 Next steps The project organization will continue in:  Stimulating local initiatives  Supporting initiatives  Communicating to entrepreneurs and initiatives by: E-mail newsletters Attractive and informational websites Organizing two national seminars for microfinance initiatives a year - 10 -

12. Presentatie titel Locatie 01/01/2009 112 In brief…..  The foundation for microfinance in the Netherlands has been laid  A unique system of microfinance in the Netherlands works! Qredits: central and efficiently organization for granting loans MF initiatives & coaching: locally organized  Our ambition: to become one of the better practices on microfinance in Europe! - 11 -