On 18 July, President Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected as the President of the European Commission for the next mandate, which spans from November 2024 to October 2029. She outlined her comprehensive political guidelines, focusing on various sectors. 
On 17 September, the President-elect presented the new lineup for the European Commission's college for the upcoming term. DG GROW will be at the core of a cluster led by Executive Vice-President designate Stéphane Séjourné on Prosperity and Industrial Strategy. Explore the full details.
 

On 9 September, Mario Draghi, former Italian Prime Minister and former President of the European Central Bank, presented a report on the future of European competitiveness.
The report looks at the challenges faced by the industry and companies in the Single Market.  The findings of the report will contribute to the Commission’s work on a new plan for Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness. And in particular to the development of the new Clean Industrial Deal for competitive industries and quality jobs, which will be presented in the first 100 days of the new Commission’s mandate.

 

By the 22 August deadline, the Commission received 170 applications for Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). This reflects a strong commitment from the private sector to boost Europe’s supply of strategic raw materials. The applications cover materials like lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and rare earth elements, spanning all value chain stages: 77 for extraction, 58 for processing, 30 for recycling, and 5 for substitution. Of these applications, 121 are from within the EU and 49 from outside. They will be checked for completeness and assessed by experts before the Commission drafts a list of selected projects for discussion with EU countries. The CRMA, effective from 23 May 2024, aims to secure and sustainably manage the EU’s critical raw materials supply, enhancing domestic capacities and supply chain sustainability.

 

The Commission and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have signed a new agreement under the InvestEU programme to support equity investments in the exploration of critical and strategic raw materials, aiming to mobilise around €100 million. These raw materials are vital for the EU's digital and green transitions. The facility, which aligns with the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act and the REPowerEU Plan, will focus on responsible exploration activities in both EU and select non-EU countries, leveraging the EBRD's expertise in mining. The initiative is co-funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe Programme and the EBRD, each contributing €25 million, with the goal of raising an additional €50 million in investments.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing a €150 million loan to Keliber Oy, a Finnish company, to support the development of lithium production in Finland, which is crucial for the EU's green and digital transitions. This investment, part of a €500 million financing package, will help establish the EU’s first integrated lithium hydroxide production facility, aiming to strengthen Europe’s self-sufficiency in this critical raw material. Supported by the InvestEU programme, the project will play a key role in meeting the growing demand for lithium in electric vehicle batteries and contribute to the EU’s climate and energy resilience.

The Commission has updated its Construction & Demolition Waste Management Protocol, aiming to enhance recycling rates and sustainability in the sector. This revised protocol outlines new guidelines and best practices designed to improve waste management, promote circular economy principles, and reduce the environmental impact of construction activities.

On 10 September, the Commission launched the revamped ‘Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform’ (STEP). The Portal maps funding opportunities for projects contributing to the development of strategic technologies in the EU, specifically in the digital and deep tech, clean tech, and biotech sectors. The Portal also provides companies with a comprehensive timeline of upcoming calls for proposals. Currently, it focuses on programs directly managed by the Commission with calls that were open at the launch of the Portal. Later in the year, projects awarded the STEP Seal by the Commission will also be showcased on the Portal. The STEP Seal is the EU quality label for high-quality projects contributing to the development or manufacturing of critical technologies and addressing shortages of labor and skills in the three STEP sectors. 

GROW, in collaboration with EISMEA, has launched a project to support female and gender-diverse investors, led by a consortium of EurA, Business Angels Europe, and Bpifrance. Women-led companies face challenges in raising equity finance due to the lack of women among business angels and decision-makers in venture capital. The European Network of Gender-Conscious Investors will connect women investors, facilitate links with female-led and diverse companies, and raise awareness of the gender investment gap. This initiative complements gender-smart actions under the InvestEU programme, which sets targets for equity investments into female-led and gender-diverse VC and private equity funds.

The European Monitor of Industrial Ecosystems (EMI) has recently published a set of factsheets covering all 27 EU Member States. Each factsheet provides in-depth insights at the country level into the development and uptake of advanced technologies that are key for the green and digital transition, drawing on data on patents, investments, trade, and production.
 

SMEs are ‘the prevalent type of company in all value chains’. The latest research provides the evidence underpinning this truth, highlighting their pivotal role in niche manufacturing and emerging markets such as carbon capture technology, cybersecurity, and more.
Discover how integrating SMEs into Open Strategic Autonomy (OSA)-aligned supply chains can enhance their agility, flexibility, and local expertise, benefiting larger companies and adapting to market changes. Dive into the detailed new timeline-based presentation to access SME information tailored to a company’s stage or an entrepreneur’s journey.
 

Europe’s industrial landscape is evolving, with advanced manufacturing at the heart of these developments. The just-published advanced manufacturing report dives into how cutting-edge technologies, such as robotics, AI, and 3D printing, are impacting sectors in the EU and beyond. The report includes an interactive online tool that allows you to pull insights based on your interests within advanced manufacturing.

The Commission launched a call for initiatives to support the EU chemical industry's green and digital transitions. This call aims to enhance competitiveness, reduce vulnerability to geopolitical changes, and promote investments in safe and sustainable chemicals. All organisations, from SMEs to larger companies and civil society groups, are invited to participate and showcase their climate-friendly projects. Collected initiatives will be published online to foster knowledge sharing and synergies among stakeholders. Additionally, this collection will help identify gaps and inspire further actions for transforming the EU chemical industry towards a climate-neutral future.
 

Join DG GROW and the European Investment Bank (EIB) for an insightful event focused on navigating supply chain disruptions. The workshop will address the challenges industries face and explore innovative solutions for boosting resilience. Experts will share strategic insights on managing risks, financing growth, and transforming European supply chains in a rapidly changing global market.
 

The event will cover EU Sustainable Finance policies and instruments for financial institutions, business support structures, SMEs, and other potential beneficiaries such as universities, municipalities, and households. Attendees will learn about Green Gateway and Enterprise Europe Network’s sustainability advisors), and other European Commission actions that support SMEs’ access to sustainable finance.

Join us in Chișinău on 10-11 October 2024 for the Clusters Meet Regions conference and matchmaking event. Themed “Clusters as drivers of inter-regional value chains”, the conference will discuss the role of clusters in regional development, focusing on smart specialisation and economic growth in Moldova. Participants can connect with SMEs and innovation actors to explore business and technology opportunities in Moldova and Eastern Europe during a dedicated matchmaking session. Don’t miss this chance to engage and collaborate!

GROW is hosting a hybrid stakeholder event on tourism in Brussels and online. This event will share recent EU policy developments and highlight inspiring stakeholder pledges from the Transition Pathway for Tourism. Attendees will learn about the new law on green claims and its impact on the tourism industry, as well as updates on the Tourism Data Space and EU support for cultural heritage. Limited in-person places are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the event will conclude with a networking lunch. Join us to engage with fellow stakeholders and discover the new Tourism Stakeholder Support Platform!

GROW is hosting the EU – India Matchmaking Event during the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024, taking place on 19-21 November 2024 in Bengaluru, India. Organised in collaboration with Global Business Inroads, the Enterprise Europe Network, and the Government of Karnataka, the event aims to connect cluster organisations and SMEs from the EU, non-EU countries participating in the Single Market Programme, and India. Participants will have opportunities for Cluster to Cluster (C2C), Cluster to Business (C2B), and Business to Business (B2B) collaborations. The event will focus on strengthening EU-India cluster cooperation, identifying areas of common interest, and enhancing collaboration in research, development, and innovation. Join us to explore new synergies and partnerships!

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