In this research we aim to explore the possibility of facilitating businesses’ access to financing tools for their investment projects. In particular we try to combine the two most popular tools of the Balkan and generally Southern European Countries (like Greece, Italy, Spain etc), business community, that of subsidies / state aid and that of bank lending. Our theoretical research is based on the review of traditional and modern financial tools internationally, but also with a special reference to the specific case studies. Then, we review the terms and conditions of the evaluation process regarding funding for both credit institutions and the public sector. With focus on regional governance, through the implementation of SBA policies (Small Business Act, initiative –strategy of the E.U. for the supporting of the Small Medium Enterprises) we come up with our proposal for a common evaluation model for investment projects through a partnership between regions and banking institutions. Our main sources were current evaluating models/guidelines for investment projects from public funding.  

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The next step, following the elaboration of the proposed common evaluation model for investment projects, is focusing on the empirical evaluation of the proposed partnership through semi-structured questionnaires.  Our  survey is addressing to the Regions and Banking Institutions in the examining country case studies, in order to figure out the potential/proposed Partnership is feasible and acceptable or not. The evaluation tool can be a basis for cooperation since it meets the requirements in the categories of criteria and the differentiations proposed in the individual indicators do not negatively affect the overall picture. Another key issue that we are going to investigate in this research program is the ranking and priority between the bank and the public evaluator.