The Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc., in partnership with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), organized a Clean and Climate-Resilient Technologies Workshop on August 1, 2025 at the Century Park Hotel, Manila. Held as part of the EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies Programme (EmPower), the workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of programme partners in evaluating clean energy solutions and developing loan products for women-led enterprises and climate-vulnerable sectors.
A total of 29 operations staff from four MFI partners – Ahon sa Hirap, Inc., Bangko Kabayan, Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, and RAFI Microfinance Inc., attended the workshop. Representatives from government agencies, technology service providers, and other institutions engaged in clean energy transition also joined the session to discuss relevant policies, programs, and available clean technologies in the country.
One of the highlights of the session was the presentation of a market study by repesentatives of RAFI MFI, which provided insights into client needs and the acceptability of transitioning to clean technologies. Participants also took part in a group exercise that assessed the economic and environmental viability of small-scale clean technology projects, with particular focus on electric vehicles and solar energy solutions – two technologies seen to have the potential for the target clients of the MFI partners.
EmPower is jointly implemented by UN Women and the UNEP with support from the Governments of Germany, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland. EmPower is dedicated to empowering women and marginalized groups to take the lead in building climate-resilient communities.