A local initiative platform to bring a concrete help to projects

A local initiative platform (PFIL) is a support system to business creation, in particular to very small companies, that intervenes at the funding level of business creation projects, through the allocation of a loan on trust, with no guarantee nor interest (zero rate).

On principle, MEI supports any creation or take-over project, provided that the actual project complies with the independent management criteria and with the market and free market rules. 

The range of businesses developed by the entrepreneurs who get the support of MEI is therefore very extended.
The following sectors are some of the most represented business sectors:

- trades (building, food, mechanical engineering and car industry, communication),
- commerce (clothing, food),
- catering,
- service to people (transport, health, body care, accommodation), 
- service to companies (metal conversion, air conditioning, heating),
- new technologies.

By definition, only companies that are located in the Moselle-Est district are eligible for help from MEI. Yet, it is necessary to spread the various businesses in the best possible way across this territory. 

At present, the locations seem to be reasonably distributed over the whole Moselle-Est territory. It is however important to specify that MEI is neither in control of the origin nor of the nature of the projects that are presented.

The dynamics shown by the partners, the creation rate and the desire to enterprise of the territory population are a number of criteria influencing the number, the quality and the location of the projects.

Developing awareness of entrepreneurship is an indispensable element of any economic development policy.
If today, consulate chambers have taken charge of the organisation of business creation promotional events, it was not the case in 2000, in particular on the Moselle-Est territory.
As soon as it was created, the PFIL made a point of organising business creation Workshops once or twice a year in Moselle-Est.

These events aimed at giving project holders an opportunity to meet, in a unique time and place, all of the institutions involved in business creation. Social organisations, banks, chartered accountants, business reception centres, insurance companies, reception and assistance departments and tax departments attended these meetings on a regular basis, always in a friendly spirit, the objective being to foster exchanges between partners and to create a positive work climate.

Such events are now organised by other protagonists, thanks to the experience acquired by the MEI, still a major partner.

The main mission of the MEI, which is to allocate loans on trust, is undertaken by the PFIl Approval Committee.
This Approval Committee, chaired by the president of the PFIL, Mr. Dominique DE GIULI, comprises about fifteen members who represent various protagonists of the economic world.

The following entities are represented within the Approval Committee:

- local banks,
- companies,
- Sofirem (Société Financière pour l’Industrialisation des Régions Minières et Régions en Mutation),
- FIBM,
- partners,
- Banque de France.