Training the Leaders of Tomorrow
Cerise+SPTF mentors BNP Paribas's top talents
Artículo en inglés a continuación y en francés aquí.
Since 2017, Cerise+SPTF has been collaborating with BNP Paribas (BNPP) as part of the Leaders for Tomorrow initiative, which aims to identify, develop, and promote employees who will support the transformation and implementation of the BNP Paribas Group's strategic priorities. This initiative seeks to prepare the next generation of leaders capable of meeting new challenges for the future by developing their individual and collective leadership skills, fostering an inclusive, responsible, and agile leadership style.
The partnership between Cerise+SPTF and BNP Paribas around the Leaders for Tomorrow initiative was developed jointly with BNPP's Human Resources and Group Engagement teams. The program run by Cerise+SPTF is called: Social Performance Audit for MFI; its objective is to train a team of “Leadership Talents” each year in social and environmental performance management and conducting social audits using SPI Online assessment tools.
Leadership Talents are active BNPP professionals from different countries and various departments within the group. These professionals generally have no experience in microfinance, auditing/evaluation, or social performance.
The Social Performance Audit for MFI program run by Cerise+SPTF consists of three days of intensive training followed by coaching on how to conduct social audits in the field. As part of the #1MillionHours2Help initiative, the trained Leadership Talents volunteer their time to conduct social and environmental performance assessments in financial institutions around the world, using the SPI5 tool.
SPI5 is the fifth version of the Social Performance Indicator audit tool founded by Cerise in 2001 and fully aligned with the Universal Standards for Social and Environmental Performance Management developed by SPTF. Since 2020, the SPI Online digital platform has offered a range of assessment tools, including SPI5, and technical resources to guide inclusive finance actors in defining their social and environmental strategies. SPI Online tools, aligned with international standards, are the most widely used in the sector today, by more than 2,300 financial institutions in 107 countries.
A highly requested program with double benefits.
Since 2017, we have run 10 training sessions for 250 Leadership Talents!
This program is the most successful and most in-demand of all the programs offered to Leadership Talents as part of the Leaders for Tomorrow initiative. A survey of trained professionals revealed a satisfaction rate of 95%!
For BNPP, the program offers a twofold benefit:
1️⃣ For the Human Resources Department, it is a way of developing professionals' soft skills.
Alain Dbjay, HR Talent Manager at BNP Paribas, on the HR impact of the program Social Performance Audit for MFI :
"This program has many positive impacts from an HR perspective. The Leadership Talents who participate are selected based on their motivation rather than their technical knowledge of microfinance. As a result, we have a highly diverse group of participants (50% of whom are women!) who are encouraged to step outside their comfort zone and develop a range of key skills, such as learning agility, analytical skills, cooperation, and confidence. They are generally proud to belong to a Group that offers them this opportunity for development. It is also an opportunity for them to contribute directly to the Group's microfinance activity and have a positive impact on society."
2️⃣ For the Group Engagement Department, Leaderships Talents' work helps to screen the financial institutions that will be financed as part of BNPP's microfinance activities. The social audits conducted by the trained Leadership Talents are high-quality assessments that enable the analysis of the social and environmental risks of BNPP's partner financial institutions. Ultimately, the program makes a concrete contribution to strengthening the social and environmental performance of BNPP's microfinance partners.
Alain Levy, Head of Microfinance & Social Entrepreneurship for Americas & Asia, BNP Paribas
"With the SPI5 method, our employees play a concrete role in granting new lines of credit to microfinance institutions, as the conclusions of their assessment work are taken into account by our RISK department in its decision-making. It's a great way to combine social impact and CSR commitments in the field."
From theory to practice, in the field.
🎓 The training facilitated by Cerise+SPTF consists of three intensive days:
- Become familiar with the microfinance sector and understand how microfinance institutions operate.
- Gain a deeper understanding of the Universal Standards for Social and Environmental Performance Management (SEPM) – Learn more
- Demonstrate the relevance of SEPM to all microfinance institutions.
- Learn how to use the SPI Online platform and the SPI5 Full social audit tool – Learn more
- Become familiar with the field audit methodology.
- Learn how to interpret the results of a social audit and prioritize actions.
- Become familiar with existing resources and identify relevant resources based on the specific priorities or challenges of the institution.
The final session also provides an opportunity to present the institutions that will be audited by the Leadership Talents pairs trained in the months following the training, as well as the audit support and review process.
🚀 Support for field audits consists of individualized coaching before, during, and after the audit. The pairs go off on missions in the weeks following the training and communicate remotely with the Cerise+SPTF teams about their deliverables (SPI5 questionnaires, audit reports). Upon their return from the field, Leadership Talents receive constructive feedback from Cerise+SPTF on their audits, in order to improve their methods and approaches. Support can last several weeks depending on the progress of each pair.
The 2025–2026 cohort is ready!
In 2025, BNPP's HR Department received more than 200 applications for only 30 available places.
The training took place from October 28th to 30th, 2025 on the Louveciennes campus in the Paris region. It was co-led by Snezana Jovic and Céciliane Mananjara.
The Leadership Talents are now ready to hit the ground! By June 2026, the trained professionals will carry out 15 assessment missions in financial institutions around the world, including Vietnam, Ghana, Brazil, and Bulgaria. During their audits, they will be coached remotely by experts from Cerise+SPTF.
Testimonials from Leadership Talents
"Just wrapped up an inspiring 3-day training on SEPM (Social and Environmental Performance Management) assessments for microfinance institutions by Cerise+SPTF. Learned through case studies and tackled challenges with amazing BNPP colleagues from around the world — all driven by one purpose: using finance as a force for good. 🌍💪"
Ayaka N., Deputy Chief Information Officer at BNP Paribas Germany Cardif
***
"Deeply grateful for the opportunity given to me at BNP Paribas to understand the social and environmental performance strategies of MFIs 🌱 Seeing the powerful role that microfinance plays in everyday lives of global population, has given me a new perspective on how intelligently designed programs are driving financial inclusion 🤝 🌍"
Smrati Maniyar, Project Manager at BNP Paribas CIB
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"Thrilled and honored to have taken part in this truly enriching training! 👩🎓 Beyond being introduced to the world of Audit — definitely outside my comfort zone — I feel privileged to have been onboarded on such a meaningful mission. Through helping MFIs, I want to bring my contribution to help ensure vulnerable population are better considered and served. 🔑"
Marion Noviel, Brand & Advertising Manager at BGL BNP Paribas
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"Thrilled to have participated in the Social & Environmental Performance Management (SEPM) training in Paris! The program offered valuable insights into the concepts and tools that strengthen social and environmental performance in Microfinance Institutions (MFIs). A true highlight of the experience was connecting with colleagues from around the world—sharing perspectives, exchanging ideas, and building lasting professional relationships."
Bharath Narang, Vice President - HR Business Partner at BNP Paribas
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