ECO-FIN-NET
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.