1. The microcredit sector in the United Kingdom : the role of CDFIs / Niamh Goggin, Karl Dayson and Sarah McGeehan -- 2. Microcredit in France : financial support for social inclusion / Stefanie Lämmermann -- 3. The microcredit sector in Italy : small initiatives in a dynamic scenario / Simone...

In the wake of the crisis, the capacity of many banks to lend to relatively high-risk sectors such as SMEs and young, innovative firms is seriously impaired by capital constraints and a strong deterioration in the quality of the assets on their balance sheets. Looking forward, it is vital that...

This overview discusses some key findings of the papers presented at the conference and draws some policy conclusions from them in the context of the broader literature. The papers and the wider academic discussion are sorted into three areas. First, how do the economics of infrastructure...