Research and Development - R&D

Research & Development (R&D) activities provide ADA with in-depth knowledge of the strategic themes of the inclusive finance sector, are used to identify, develop and test projects, and allow it to share knowledge and best practices.

ADA implements most of its projects using a "Research-Action" approach, designed to produce practical knowledge, from reflection and experimentation, according to a participatory principle. R&D activities therefore form an integral part of projects, thus strengthening innovativeness, improving the impact the projects have and orienting them in line with the evolution of the sector.

The R&D programme comprises four types of activity:

• Monitoring innovative and promising themes - Gathering information to anticipate developments and innovations in the sector, guiding the research projects-measures to be taken and strengthening the ability to analyse projects implemented by ADA;
• Capitalizing and learning from projects - Gathering practices for identifying and analysing lessons learned and experiences from ADA projects;
• Ensuring that the lessons identified are learned and that new knowledge is internalized and disseminating the results of the monitoring and capitalization activities;
• Creating a link between academic research and ADA projects thanks to collaboration via a network of academics and researchers.

ADA Chair 

The ADA Chair is the result of a partnership between ADA and the University of Luxembourg to develop a skills centre bringing together research and training activities about inclusive finance regulations. This partnership between the academic and professional world aims to strengthen knowledge and skills regarding the legal and regulatory aspects of inclusive finance in response to the needs of the sector.

CERMi - Centre for European Research in Microfinance

ADA and CERMi develop research projects leading to academic publications (articles, theses) and knowledge-sharing workshops between ADA collaborators and CERMi researchers (ULB, Solvay Business School, University of Mons)

Learn more about the partnership with CERMi

University and professional trainings in microfinance in Europe

ADA is involved in several university and professional training programs:

• Master 2 Microfinance Entrepreneurship and Development at the University of Lorraine in Nancy which is also sponsored by ADA
• European Microfinance Programme (EMP) at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Université de Mons (Warocqué), and Université Paris Dauphine)
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CEA) in Law and Regulation of Inclusive Finance at the University of Luxembourg, co-developed with ADA as part of the ADA Chair
• Reception of interns within ADA and its partners which resulting in internship.

Research

ADA contributes, directly or through financing, to carrying out thematic studies in expanding areas of interest for actors of the inclusive finance sector, such as the financial health of microenterprises, the financing of agricultural value chains, support for SMEs with high growth potential, etc.

These studies are available in the media library.
 

Tools and methods for responsible financial and non-financial services providers

Assessing and improving the financial health of micro-entrepreneurs

ADA and the European Microfinance Network (EMN) are carrying out a joint research project in the field of the financial health of micro-entrepreneurs. The project is supported by JPMorgan Chase Foundation and its purpose is to identify and share good practices on the assessment of financial health and specific support provided to micro-entrepreneurs at risk or facing financial issues e.g. cash flow management, confusion between personal and professional finances, access to finance, late payments, etc.

The project is structured as a cross-country research activity covering eight countries across three different continents (Europe, LATAM and Africa) and will involve a mix of financial and non-financial service providers. Based on field visits into these organisations and desk research to collect best practices, the project aims to produce a practical guide dedicated to financial and non-financial service providers to improve their practices in assessing the financial health of micro-entrepreneurs and supporting them with non-financial services.

ADA will be able to share the practical guide with all its partners supporting micro-entrepreneurs through non-financial services and foster its use by these partners.

On top of that, a research publication is accessible to the inclusive finance sector to share the results of the project.

Project partners: PerMicro, Fondazione Welfare Ambrosiano (Italy); Adie, Positive Planet (France); Fundación Oportunitas, Incyde (Spain); Outset Finance, NWES (UK); CREDISOL, Aliança Empreendedora (Brasil); Pro Mujer, Pro Empleo (Mexico); Norandino, ADEC ATC (Peru); SEF, SAICA (South Africa).

Contact:

Linda SZELEST
 

Mathilde BAUWIN
 

ATLAS - the new financial and social data platform for MFIs

ATLAS is an online platform to gather data from the various social and financial performance analysis tools of financial service providers worldwide for information, comparison and performance improvement purposes. It thereby aims to promote transparency in the inclusive finance sector.

Learn more about ATLAS