FIN-URB-ACT

FIN-URB-ACT strives for more efficient local support structures for SMEs' development and innovative economies. The rationale is that such structures on local level - where financial instruments meet nonfinancial assistance - are basic prerequisites for fostering startups and business growth.

Thus, FIN-URB-ACT will create and/or improve local support structures, which should involve all local and regional key actors for SME and innovative economy support.

Furthermore, based on an integrated local action plan developed by the local partnership, FIN-URB-ACT will have a strong focus on developing and implementing tailormade financial and nonfinancial support products like microcredit and other funding schemes, incubators, business networks etc.

The main objective o ...

Project launch :
21 October 2008
End of the project :
2011

Lead Partner

City of Aachen Isabelle.Pitre@mail.aachen.de

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Aachen is situated directly on the border with Belgium and Netherlands. It is Germany's most western city, with a population of approx. 260,000 inhabitants. Nearly 40,000 students attend Aachen's four major collegs and universities. 

Science the 1960s, Aachen has gone through a severe process of industrial restructuring from mining and stell industry to innovative, R&D related economy. The high number of start-ups and the absence of any real "big industrial player" point out that the Aachen economy is based on SMEs.

http://www.aachen.de/

Partners

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Lead Expert

Patrick Fourguettepatrick.fourguette@scarlet.be

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Mr. Fourguette is an expert in SME support policies, economic development and international cooperation. He has more than 20 years experience in SME related issues.

Within URBACT I Mr. Fourguette has also been thematic expert for two networks in the field of business / employment promotion and president of the URBACT cross-cutting thematic networking group on "local economic development".