The ILO's Social Finance Programme

🌎 What a week in Turin! From October 6 to 10, we held for the first time the course Financing a Just Transition at the ITCILO, bringing together a diverse, global group from four continents. The course tackled a critical question: how can finance drive a just, inclusive and sustainable climate transition? In the face of growing environmental and social challenges, we explored how financial institutions, such as banks, insurers, asset managers and DFIs, can align their strategies with climate goals while promoting social inclusion, decent work and human rights. Participants included representatives from ministries, financial institutions, development agencies, climate funds and others from all around the world, creating a dynamic and engaged space for learning and exchange. Co-organized by The ILO's Social Finance Programme, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and the ITCILO, the course offered tools, case studies, and frameworks to help participants turn ESG ambition into action, placing the “S” back at the heart of climate finance. A big thanks to our expert contributors, partners and participants for making the week so rich in insights and collaboration! Ekaterina Chubarova, CFA | Margarita Lalayan | Joana Pedro | Aaron Cantrell | Patricia Richter | Camilla Roman | Linda Deelen | Elisenda E. | Andrew Machora | Brendan Curran | Matt Ripley | Luda Svystunova | Hugh Searight | Marek Harsdorff | Maija Ziemele | Franziska Deininger | Phillipe Käfer | Domenico Santagata | Signe Andreasen Lysgaard | Cedric Rimaud | Andrea Salemme #JustTransition #SustainableFinance

👋 Hello from Quito, Ecuador! Lisa Morgan and Pranav Prashad are live at the International Conference on Inclusive Insurance 2025 and it has been an inspiring week so far! Our Impact Insurance Facility team kicked things off on Monday with the Introduction to inclusive insurance workshop, a great foundation for the conversations unfolding this week. Today (Wednesday, October 15), our team will be present in two engaging sessions: ➡️ Inclusive health insurance: Successes and failures in Latin America and beyond ➡️ Learning from the leaders to enhance the value and viability of inclusive insurance It is a privilege to join colleagues from over 40 countries in Quito to explore how inclusive insurance can drive financial inclusion and resilience in emerging markets. See you at the sessions! #ICII2025 #InclusiveInsurance

👋 Hello from Nairobi, Kenya! We are on the ground at the African Inclusive Finance Week (SAM 2025), the continent’s biggest gathering on financial inclusion. Our chief Craig Churchill has spoken at the workshop “Climate emergency and economic vulnerability: Spotlight on inclusive finance and insurance”, jointly organized by the International Labour Organization and the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation. The session explored how inclusive finance, particularly climate insurance, can support vulnerable communities, especially women and youth, in building resilience amid rising environmental and economic challenges. The event brought together policymakers, practitioners, financial institutions and innovators to exchange solutions that are sustainable, inclusive and adapted to local realities. #SAM2025 #FinancialInclusion #InclusiveInsurance

📢 Just launched: Banking for Decent Work - A Pathway to Impact The International Labour Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) are proud to unveil a new guidance for banks. This guidance is aligned with the UN Principles for #ResponsibleBanking and the ILO’s core frameworks, helping financial institutions embed decent work considerations into their operations and decision-making. It offers banks a clear, practical roadmap to support inclusive, sustainable economic growth while managing risks and seizing new opportunities. Promoting #DecentWork is not just the right thing to do: it is a smart, forward-looking business strategy! 🔗Download it here: https://lnkd.in/eju7rBeF

We are proud to announce the official launch of the SMEs Empowerment Guarantee Fund in Iraq, a collaborative initiative implemented by the International Labour Organization in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) of Iraq and funded by the German Cooperation through KfW Development Bank. Managed by the Iraqi Company for Bank Guarantees, the Fund aims to unlock access to finance for small businesses, especially those led by women and youth, by easing collateral requirements and enabling partner financial institutions to expand SME lending. Beyond access to finance, the project will train 3,000 entrepreneurs through the ILO’s Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) and Financial Education (FE) programmes, helping small businesses grow, formalize, and thrive. Our strategic financial partners—مصرف بغداد Bank Of Baghdad, National Bank of Iraq, Al- Mashreq Al-arabi Islamic Bank and First Finance Microfinance Company—are key to turning this vision into reality. Together, we are building a more inclusive and resilient future for Iraq’s entrepreneurs, one where decent work and opportunity are within reach for all. #ILO #DecentWork #Entrepreneurship #Iraq

The latest edition of the newsletter from the ILO’s Global Centre on Digital Wages for Decent Work is just out! As we work to advance responsible wage digitization around the world, this edition features fresh insights, tools and field stories that shed light on both progress made and the challenges ahead. What’s inside? ✅ A new research brief on why some factories in China still pay wages in cash and what this means for inclusive digital transitions in global supply chains. ✅ Country updates from Indonesia, Peru and the Philippines, highlighting how enterprises are embracing digital wage practices and helping workers build digital skills. ✅ New training and e-learning tools designed to support small businesses in adopting responsible wage digitization. ✅ Webinar recordings from our recent series on Earned Wage Access, featuring expert voices on how fintech is changing how workers access their earnings. Whether you are a policy advocate, business leader, worker representative or financial services provider, we hope this edition provides practical insights and inspiration to support your work. 🔗Read the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/dbXQUugF 🔗Sign up to receive the next one directly in your mailbox: https://lnkd.in/edRQivix 🔗Visit the Global Centre's website: https://lnkd.in/dvk4hrkX Valérie Breda | Craig Churchill | Andrej Slivnik | Arief Umar | Eka Novitasari | Angelique Ofrasio | Virak Nuon | Julio Pérez #DigitalWages #DecentWork #FinancialInclusion

🌍The Financial Inclusion Week 2025 kicked off yesterday!🌍 Convened by the Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI), the 11th annual virtual global forum will take place from October 6 to 9. We are proud to contribute to this year’s theme — Building resilience and well-being during rising uncertainties — through a recorded session on Community-based strategies for inclusive insurance expansion in Africa. This session, hosted by the Microinsurance Network and coordinated by the CFI, is part of the on-demand offering for the #FIW25. Despite rapid innovation in financial services, insurance penetration across Africa remains among the lowest globally, with a protection gap of 96%. This session explores how community-driven approaches, such as trusted local agents, tailored education and local champions, can overcome persistent barriers and bring inclusive insurance to underserved populations. Speakers: ➡️ Pranav Prashad, ILO's Impact Insurance Facility ➡️ Karimi Nthiga, Microinsurance Network ➡️ Jackline Chemtai Kapsukut, SCR®, Busara ➡️ Jean Eyase, ACRE Africa Drawing on the Microinsurance Network’s Landscape Study, Busara’s behavioural research and ACRE Africa’s village champion model, the session offers real-world insights into scalable, people-centred solutions. 🔗Watch the session here: https://lnkd.in/dWCV9bex 🔗Register for the #FInclusionWeek to access all the other sessions: https://lnkd.in/eHE2kdCT

Just one week to go until the International Conference on Inclusive Insurance 2025 kicks off in Quito, Ecuador! Our Impact Insurance Facility team is excited to be part of it. From October 13 to 17, experts from over 40 countries will come together to explore how we can accelerate growth and economic viability in inclusive insurance, a vital step toward greater financial inclusion and resilience in emerging markets. Where can you meet us? 📅 Day 1 (October 13) We are starting strong with the Introduction to inclusive insurance workshop, a great foundation session for the discussions ahead. 📅 Day 3 (October 15) Join us in two parallel sessions: ➡️ Inclusive health insurance: Successes and failures in Latin America and beyond ➡️ Learning from the leaders to enhance the value and viability of inclusive insurance See you in Quito! Lisa Morgan | Pranav Prashad | Craig Churchill | Aparna Dalal #ImpactInsurance #ICII2025

Today, the International Labour Organization (ILO) had the honour of welcoming H.E. Guy Parmelin, Vice President of the Swiss Federal Council, to the South Bandung Livestock Cooperative (KPBS) in West Java, Indonesia. The visit highlighted the success of the ILO’s Promise II Impact project, funded by Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), which is modernizing Indonesia’s dairy industry through: ✅ An enterprise resource planning system to streamline operations, membership and animal health. ✅ A mobile loan facility with same-day approvals, already benefiting 429 farmers. ✅ Financial literacy and entrepreneurship training for over 300 dairy farmers. Vice President Parmelin toured the dairy farm, milk collection point, processing facility and mini-market, engaging directly with farmers to understand how Promise II Impact is helping strengthen their livelihoods. With plans to expand the model to three more cooperatives in East Java, this initiative is paving the way for greater efficiency, inclusion and sustainability across Indonesia’s dairy sector. 🔗 Read more about the visit here: https://lnkd.in/d9PPEm2Z Photo: Feri Latief

On 27 August 2025, the FAO PEARL Project marked a key milestone by launching Cambodia’s first Expert Working Group on Agro-Insurance, hosted at the General Directorate of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). Backed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), this Expert Working Group will act as a collaborative platform for coordination, technical exchange and strategic guidance in developing climate-resilient insurance solutions for Cambodia. Ali Tareque Parvez Cert CII ABIA (TYSER) has represented The ILO's Social Finance Programme in the meeting, sharing insights and experiences from its work on inclusive insurance in Cambodia. A big thanks to the FAO PEARL team for driving this important initiative and to all our partners for their strong engagement in building resilience for Cambodia’s smallholder farmers. #InclusiveInsurance #ClimateResilience #Agriculture #Cambodia