A Social Performance Analysis of European Microfinance

We analyse European MFIs social performance according to the core set of common indicators and framework developed by the Social Performance Task Force using data collected in 2009 for the European Microfinance Network (EMN) “Overview of the Microcredit Sector in EU 2008-2009” on a sample of 170 microfinance actors operating in 21 countries from the European Union (EU) 27, current EU candidate country Croatia and countries belonging to the European Free Trade Area (EFTA). The reference framework and methodology followed in the social performance analysis, as specified in the Social Performance Standard Reports (SPSR), examines the whole process of translating MFIs mission into social impact and includes the analysis of several connected dimensions of the social performance pathway corresponding to areas covered by different set of indicators: the intent of the MFI, the effectiveness of the internal system and activities in achieving its targets, MFI outputs and eventually its capacity to positively affect clients life and achieve social goals. In what follows we present a revised set of standards, in order to fit the EMN indicators into the SPTF framework, tacking into account the specificities of European MFIs.