The workshop series builds on the first edition of the FinTech Associations: Global Approaches and Good Practices Study, which provided valuable data and insights into the approaches and practices of the global community of Digital Financial Services (DFS)/fintech industry associations. This series was specifically designed for fintech industry associations to build capacity to enable greater impact in their work through a deep dive into specific good practices highlighted in the report.
Shared challenges: ties that bind industry associations
The 3 workshops each explored a key theme inspired by the shared challenges facing fintech industry associations globally. These included dependence on limited funding sources, hurdles in regulatory engagement due to fragmented representation and constrained regulatory capacity, and insufficient resources and technical expertise for effective impact measurement. Despite these obstacles, the sessions highlighted promising strategies, collaborative solutions and a growing momentum toward strengthening the sustainability and impact of fintech associations globally.
We hope the insights from this workshop series empower industry associations to strengthen their revenue models, engage effectively with regulators, and drive inclusive, innovation-led fintech ecosystems.
Innovative solutions for sustainability and impact
Participants actively exchanged best practices aimed at overcoming key challenges and unlocking new opportunities for fintech associations. These included embracing more flexible and diversified funding models to boost financial sustainability, fostering structured and ongoing collaboration between regulators and industry associations to strengthen engagement, and refining impact measurement frameworks to better reflect evolving fintech ecosystem dynamics, member needs and funder expectations. The discussions underscored a shared commitment to contributing to the transformation and long-term growth of the fintech sector.
The workshops were diverse and engaging, highlighting best practices and allowing participants to leave with new ideas and strategies for revenue generation, engaging with their regulators and driving innovation and inclusion in their ecosystems.
When associations align around best practices and proven strategies, they unlock the power to turn insight into lasting impact.
Empowering industry associations to move from insight to action
By applying the best practices shared during the workshops, industry associations are well-positioned to amplify their impact and continue shaping more enabling environments for fintech growth. Through unified representation and deeper collaboration with regulators and policymakers, and ensuring ongoing impact measurement, associations can play a pivotal role in driving sector-wide progress. Adapting these insights to fit their unique contexts will help ensure relevance, effectiveness and long-term sustainability.
Explore the report and study
The CCAF is grateful for the foundational funding provided by the Gates Foundation in support of this research.