Policy Brief on Access to Business Start-up Finance for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (11/03/2014)

This policy brief was produced by the OECD and the European Commission to explore barriers in access to finance by social groups who are disadvantaged or under-represented in entrepreneurship and to describe policies which can address these barriers. It presents data on the extent to which entrepreneurs from disadvantaged groups obtain external finance. It then sets out the traditional policy instruments of grants and soft loans together with newer and emerging policies such as loan guarantees, microcredit, crowdfunding, business angels and Islamic finance. In addition to supply-side instruments, the role of financial education is also explained. Finally, the brief gives a number of examples of policy approaches that have been successful in European Union Member States. This brochure is available online in English, German and French.

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=738&langId=en&pubId=7693&type=2&furtherPubs=yes

Consumer protection and social inclusion… mission impossible in times of crisis?

European Economic and Social Committee - CES/14/19   17/03/2014

“People need to learn to control their consumption. Financial education could help them to achieve proper management of their budget and to prevent over-indebtedness.
But fighting overindebtednessand financial exclusion also requires responsible behaviour on the part ofprofessionals, regarding both their products and their advertising, together with the advice and explanations they give to consumers”, said Martin Siecker, President of the INT Section at theEESC. http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_CES-14-19_en.htm

Basic bank accounts for all

Plenary Session Press release - Economic and monetary affairs − 15-04-2014 - 12:45

 

Anyone legally residing in the EU would have the right to open a basic payment account, and no-one could be denied this right on grounds of nationality or place of residence, under a new law passed by Parliament on Tuesday. This law should also ensure that fees and rules for all payment accounts are transparent and comparable and make it easy to switch to another payment account that offers better terms.  http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20140411IPR43466/html/Basic-bank-accounts-for-all
 

The 2014 Global Financial Development Report: Financial Inclusion

The report presents new data and research, drawing on them to contribute to the policy discussion. It highlights novel evidence that financial inclusion can reduce poverty and boost shared prosperity.

Main messages include:Responsible financial inclusion requires educating consumers about finance. Classroom-based financial education for general population has little impact. People learn better during “teachable moments” (e.g., when starting a job or getting a loan). Also, messages delivered though social networks and engaging channels(e.g., soap operas) show promise. Read More »

New EU Alliance calls for a Social and Sustainable Europe

 Press release – Brussels, 07 April 2014 – The new EU Alliance for a democratic, social and sustainable European Semester, a broad coalition bringing together environmental, social and equality NGOs and trade unions, holds its launch in the EESC. Highlighting the failure of the Europe 2020 Strategy commitments and official targets in the social, environmental, employment and equality fields, the Alliance members come together to call for progress on the Europe 2020 Strategy’s commitments and for reviving the involvement of civil-society organisations and trade unions in the shaping of European policies.

http://semesteralliance.net/2014/04/07/new-eu-alliance-calls-for-a-social-and-sustainable-europe/#more-76

"Addressing Social Divergence in European Societies - Improving Minimum Income Supports"

On Thursday 3 April the Commission organized with the presence of the Greek Presidency of the European Council, an important conference on Minimum Income Schemes under the title "Addressing Social Divergence in European Societies - Improving Minimum Income Supports". To know more about the Conference see  http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=88&eventsId=982&furtherEvents=yes

László ANDOR European Commissioner responsible for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Speech:  http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-286_en.htm?locale=en