Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are vital to the European economy but often encounter significant administrative and regulatory challenges that hinder their participation in EU programmes. By looking at the challenges encountered by SMEs, the EESC Opinion focuses on identifying the simplification changes needed to make real and tangible improvements for SMEs. This could include looking at how to increases their involvement in EU initiatives that offer access to finance, innovation opportunities, and essential networks, thereby fostering their growth, competitiveness, and long-term success.
The European Commission’s Annual Competition Report 2025 summarises the key policy and enforcement developments in EU competition policy in 2025, covering State aid, antitrust, mergers, the Foreign Subsidies Regulation and the Digital Markets Act.
The current geopolitical context is shining a harsh spotlight on the price that Europe is paying for its dependency on third countries, as European Council President António Costa said at a plenary debate with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The EU must boost its competitiveness to be able to deliver tangible results in terms of jobs, income and affordable housing.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) placed fundamental rights, dignity and equality at the centre of its April plenary session, holding a high‑level debate on Union of Equality: Advancing LGBTIQ+ rights and banning conversion practices. The debate was followed by the adoption of two key EESC opinions calling for stronger enforcement of the EU’s LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030 and a comprehensive EU‑wide ban on conversion practices.
The Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) aims to support industrial transformation, strengthen strategic value chains, and accelerate the deployment of low-carbon technologies, but its implications and impact across different sectors raise concerns.
