ECO-FIN-NET

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The network was approved as one of the first URBACT projects focussing on access of SMEs to finance through innovative financial instruments and in particular on the access of the smallest companies in less favoured urban areas. The ECO-FIN-NET partners identified the following three issues which formed the structure for the three working groups: 1. Access to Finance for SMEs – generally through banks or other financial institutions with which SMEs can encounter difficulties. The network studied the reasons for these difficulties and suggested possible solutions 2. Public Sector financial support – grants and loans for businesses and start ups are commonplace in many cities but ECO-FIN-NET questions the relevance of such schemes and in particular the adaptations required for the specific conditions of micro enterprises in deprived areas 3. Non financial services – business advice, training, mentoring and networking are all ideas which have been studies by the network partners A series of meetings including the kick off meeting, 5 working groups meetings, 1 interim meeting and 1 expert meeting have taken place followed by the final conference held in March 2006 in Marseille.

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