The ILO organized this conference in Trento, Italy from 18-20 November, to share findings from two international research projects on the role of social and solidarity economy (SSE) and supporting financial mechanisms towards decent work. The projects were financed by the Government of France and the Government of Luxembourg. The event brought together over 100 participants including policy makers, researchers, practitioners and UN agency officials. Recommendations from the research projects will be revised and prioritized based on the inputs received from the participants. Read more

The International Labour Organization has joined the Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA) and commits to increasing the use of responsible digital payments to boost financial inclusion, transparency and efficiency. Social Finance and Better Work will support BTCA's mission and will work on the extension of affordable and accessible payments to low-income people, the creation of cost savings, increased transparency and security, the promotion of decent work, and the broadening of financial inclusion. Read more

Social Finance has prepared a new online course on financial education. This course complements the work we already do through face-to-face training and awareness raising campaigns. The course is based on the training material we have developed over the past 10 years, and it provides participants with the skills needed to better manage their personal finances. The online course is now available and enrolment is free. Read more

The ILO turned 100 this year, and Social Finance highlighted this special occasion during the 2019 European Microfinance Week. One of the plenary sessions focused on protection of the working poor through responsible finance and took stock of how far we have come and what opportunities we want to seize in the next years. The plenary session was recorded and can be found on the European Microfinance Platform’s Facebook page and website. We also ran sessions on human resource development in microfinance institutions and child labour. Read more

The ILO collaborated with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China to hold a refresher training for Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB)  Master Trainers to update them on new SIYB tools and adaptions, discuss recent global trends and developments and exchange on achievements in China. Read more

ILO Global Programme on Employment Injury Insurance and Protection participated in an ILO direct contacts mission during 14-18 October with a view to implementing the Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) recommendations for equal treatment and to developing mechanisms for overcoming the practical issues affecting the implementation of the domestic social security scheme to foreign workers. Read more

Jamaica is the first country in the Americas region to appoint a national focal point for the promotion of the MNE Declaration, and the sixth country to do so globally, after Côte d’Ivoire, Norway, Portugal, Senegal and Sierra Leone. Read more

SADA Women’s Cooperative was formed by 50 women from host and refugee communities to undertake collective income generation activities with the support of the ILO and UN Women. The cooperative was selected as one of ten projects to be scaled up and mentored by the Paris Peace Forum for the next year. Read more