A two-week, in-person program for senior financial inclusion leaders to examine how AI, data, and digital tools can strengthen, not replace, human relationships with clients.
July 13-24, 2026
ITC/ILO, Turin, Italy
English, French
Senior Leaders
Participants represent microfinance institutions, banks, networks, regulators, and support organizations working across diverse markets and regions.
The Boulder Institute has built a global alumni community of professionals from leading financial inclusion organizations in dozens of countries.
The Boulder Microfinance Training is designed for experienced professionals working in financial inclusion who are responsible for strategy, decision-making, and institutional direction.
Hold a senior or decision-making role (CEO, COO, department head, program director, senior manager).
Are responsible for client strategy, risk management, digital transformation, or product design.
Work in or with MFIs, banks, cooperatives, networks, regulators, or development agencies.
Face real operational trade-offs related to digitalization, client protection, or inclusion at scale.
Value peer learning with practitioners from diverse countries and contexts.
Are looking to reflect and strengthen decision-making, not acquire entry-level training.
Learn how digital tools, data, and AI can reveal what clients truly need, and how to use these insights to build stronger, more meaningful relationships.
Apply practical frameworks for managing institutional risk related to climate, crisis, and market volatility, and build the confidence to act decisively under uncertainty.
Reimagine how your institution designs financial products, using human-centered approaches that reflect how clients actually live, earn, and manage risk.
Turn data into a strategic asset. Learn to interpret analytics, leverage AI responsibly, and use evidence to guide decisions that drive real impact.
Move beyond good intentions. Gain practical strategies to expand access for women, rural communities, and underserved segments, with measurable results.
Leave with concrete frameworks, fresh perspectives, and a clear action plan to navigate institutional change, and the network to support you along the way.
The Boulder Microfinance Training is a two-week, in-person learning experience designed to balance structured learning, peer exchange, and practical reflection.
Each day begins with a Morning Master Class, bringing all participants together across languages. These sessions are led by senior practitioners and focus on cross-cutting themes: leadership, strategic adaptation, digital transformation, and client focus.
Participants select elective courses based on their professional responsibilities and interests.
The Boulder MFT is built around participant choice and applied discussion, not a fixed, linear curriculum. Each participant designs a personal learning path by selecting elective courses aligned with their role, context, and institutional priorities.
Choose from morning and afternoon electives: in-depth courses with discussion, cases, peer exchange, and practical tools.
Course Design
01
Designed around real institutional decision-making, not abstract frameworks. Expect case-based discussions drawn from real organizations, cross-market comparisons, facilitated peer learning, and practical frameworks.
02
Selected for their direct experience in the field, including current and former executives, advisors, researchers, and regional specialists. Faculty do not deliver scripted lectures.
03
Faculty lead live sessions and moderated discussions where participants engage directly. The residential format encourages ongoing exchange beyond scheduled sessions.
The Boulder MFT is built around participant choice and applied discussion, not a fixed, linear curriculum. Each participant designs a personal learning path by selecting elective courses aligned with their role, context, and institutional priorities.
How digital tools and AI can strengthen, rather than distance, relationships with clients.
Using data and AI responsibly to improve risk management, product design, and efficiency.
Designing financial products that reflect how clients actually live, earn, and manage risk.
Preparing for and recovering from economic, political, health, and climate shocks.
Operational, technological, and human challenges of serving rural markets.
Practical strategies to expand access, usage, and impact for women clients.
How climate change affects portfolios, and actionable responses for institutions.
Guiding institutions through digital transformation while maintaining mission alignment.
Boulder faculty are selected for their direct experience in the field. They include current and former executives, advisors to financial institutions and regulators, researchers closely connected to implementation, and specialists working across regions and income segments.
What distinguishes Boulder courses:
Case-based discussion drawn from real organizations
Case-based discussion drawn from real organizations
Facilitated peer learning among senior practitioners
Practical frameworks adaptable after the program
Faculty do not deliver scripted lectures. Their role is to frame issues, guide discussion, and surface lessons from practice.
For nearly three decades, the Boulder Institute has been at the forefront of professional training in inclusive finance. Since 1995, we have equipped more than 8,200 professionals worldwide through our programs in Microfinance, Digital Transformation, Rural and Agricultural Finance, and Executive Leadership.
Our programs unite participants from microfinance institutions (MFIs), support organizations, and government agencies around evidence-based content and innovative approaches to serving lower-income markets.
Recognized globally as the paramount training institution in inclusive financial services, Boulder Institute has built an exceptional network of expert faculty who shape the future of financial inclusion.
Through our work, we foster transformative conversations about financial inclusion, rural financial services, and MFI governance, helping organizations adapt and lead in evolving markets.
The Boulder Institute is a U.S.-based licensed non-profit (501(c)) organization.
A two-week in-person program where senior financial inclusion leaders examine how AI, data, and design tools can strengthen, not replace, human relationships with clients.
To be held at the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITC/ILO), Turin, Italy.
From July 13–24, 2026. MFT 2026 is an in-person, two-week intensive event.
Individual courses are offered in English · French
Tuition fee is € 5,100
Dates: July 13-24, 2026
Duration: Two weeks, in-person
Location: ITC/ILO, Turin, Italy
Delivered in two parallel languages: English and French.
Travel to and from Turin
Accommodation and campus meals (available as a package through ILO campus)
Visa and related travel costs
Payment via credit card or bank transfer. Group invoicing available.
The program targets senior and mid-senior professionals in inclusive finance, including executives, program directors, heads of risk, digital transformation leaders, product managers, rural and agricultural finance specialists, policymakers, and professionals from support organizations.
No. While MFIs are a core audience, the training increasingly serves professionals from banks, fintechs, regulators, development agencies, and other financial inclusion organizations. The curriculum reflects the evolving ecosystem while maintaining grounding in inclusive finance practice.
Participants select four major electives and four minor electives from a curated collection. This structure allows customization to professional focus while ensuring exposure to diverse perspectives across the field.
Morning Master Classes convene the entire cohort led by senior faculty addressing cross-cutting themes such as leadership, strategic adaptation, client focus, risk, digital transformation, and change management.
Some courses include light individual or group exercises designed to deepen understanding. These are intended to be practical and manageable within the program schedule.
Yes. ITCILO can issue invoices and support organizational payment processes.
The MFT is a professional training program delivered by a U.S.-based non-profit. It is not a degree program but is widely recognized within the financial inclusion sector.
Who is the Boulder Microfinance Training (MFT) designed for?
Is this program relevant only for traditional microfinance institutions (MFIs)?
Is this program academic or practical?
Who is the Boulder Microfinance Training (MFT) designed for?
Is this program relevant only for traditional microfinance institutions (MFIs)?
Is this program academic or practical?
Who is the Boulder Microfinance Training (MFT) designed for?
Is this program relevant only for traditional microfinance institutions (MFIs)?
Is this program academic or practical?
Who is the Boulder Microfinance Training (MFT) designed for?
Is this program relevant only for traditional microfinance institutions (MFIs)?
Is this program academic or practical?
Who is the Boulder Microfinance Training (MFT) designed for?
Is this program relevant only for traditional microfinance institutions (MFIs)?
Is this program academic or practical?
Who is the Boulder Microfinance Training (MFT) designed for?
Is this program relevant only for traditional microfinance institutions (MFIs)?
Is this program academic or practical?
Still have questions?
