Europe 2040: Enlargement, SMEs and Social Dialogue

As the European Union looks towards 2040, its ability to remain competitive, resilient and cohesive will depend increasingly on how effectively it can combine economic integration with investment, innovation, social cohesion and a functioning Single Market.
This discussion also builds on SMEunited’s Vision 2040 by Crafts & SMEs, which sets out a forward-looking vision of an entrepreneurial Europe where businesses of all sizes can contribute to prosperity, innovation, resilience and social cohesion. At its core is the ambition to ensure that the European policy and regulatory environment works better for SMEs, with “Think Small First” guiding policymaking from the outset.

In this context, EU enlargement represents both a strategic opportunity and a significant policy challenge. The integration of future Member States can strengthen Europe’s economic potential, expand value chains and markets, attract investment and reinforce regional cooperation.
At the same time, successful enlargement will require businesses — particularly SMEs — to be prepared for deeper integration into the European Single Market and able to operate within an increasingly demanding regulatory and competitive environment.
For SMEs, the European economic agenda towards 2040 will therefore depend on the availability of the right conditions to invest, innovate, access finance, develop skills, reduce administrative burdens and scale across borders.

Taking place at Victoria Palace, the headquarters of the Romanian Government, in Bucharest, the event will bring together European and national decision-makers, representatives of European institutions and financial institutions, business organisations, social partners, SMEs and stakeholders from EU candidate and enlargement countries.