The European Fund for Southeast Europe has played host to some 270 guests from more than 25 countries in Split, Croatia, where the fund emphasised its support for entrepreneurs and its unwavering funding of small business in the regions it serves. The motto selected for the 17-18 May meeting highlights the areas receiving increased EFSE focus: Enabling Financial inclusion, Startups and Entrepreneurship. These areas are a natural extension of the fund’s focus on small businesses, job creation, and economic growth. This year’s meeting provided a unique forum for high-level discussions about the current challenges facing both the financial industry and entrepreneurs. Guests at the meeting included numerous central bank governors, leading banking and microfinance industry executives, and top managers from national and international development organisations. Topics at the meeting – presented by sector experts – ranged from how fintech solutions can help micro and small enterprises (MSEs), to methods for strengthening the startup environment. The Advisory Group of the EFSE, comprising central bank governors from EFSE target countries, discussed recent developments and possible strategies in a special closed session.