Launched in 2005, the EMP has been designed by microfinance experts to offer a unique blend of theory and practice. Since 2007, students graduating from the EMP obtain a full Master degree (European Master in Microfinance).

The purpose of the programme is to develop future profess-ionals in microfinance who will contribute to the strengthening of microfinance institutions worldwide in accordance with the highest international standards.

The EMP provides students with a professional, multi-disci-plinary approach to the challenges the microfinance sector is facing today, through:

• a solid theoretical foundation, taught by academic professors from four European universities in Belgium, France and the Netherlands;
  
  
• insights into the latest techniques used by inter-national microfinance institutions, provided by practitioners from the four non-governmental organi-sations ADA, CERISE, PlaNet Finance and SOS Faim;
  
  
• opportunities to participate in seminars and confer-ences for microfinance professionals;
  
  
• an organized two-to-fourth-months internship in a developing country to provide the necessary know-ledge of the daily realities of microfinance in the developing world.

With more than 60% of students coming from the South, 26 nationalities and international experts, the EMP is a particularly international Masters programme, which allows its students to create and keep new (professional) networks.