The network was approved as one of the first URBACTprojects focussing on access of SMEs to finance throughinnovative financial instruments and in particular on theaccess of the smallest companies in less favoured urbanareas.The ECO-FIN-NET partners identified the following threeissues which formed the structure for the three workinggroups:1. Access to Finance for SMEs – generally through banksor other financial institutions with which SMEs can encounterdifficulties. The network studied the reasons for thesedifficulties and suggested possible solutions2. Public Sector financial support – grants and loansfor businesses and start ups are commonplace in many citiesbut ECO-FIN-NET questions the relevance of such schemesand in particular the adaptations required for the specificconditions of micro enterprises in deprived areas3. Non financial services – business advice, training,mentoring and networking are all ideas which have beenstudies by the network partnersA series of meetings including the kick off meeting, 5 workinggroups meetings, 1 interim meeting and 1 expert meetinghave taken place followed by the final conference held inMarch 2006 in Marseille. Achievements: Please refer to the 'Description' field, which also includes the achievements of this project.