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Issue #17 - February 2024
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Greening Industry
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Co-legislators agree on plans to make clean technology manufacturing in the EU resilient and competitive
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The Commission welcomes the provisional political agreement reached on 6 February between the European Parliament and the Council on the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA). This agreement will help the EU develop clean technologies and make significant strides towards building a strong domestic manufacturing capacity of those technologies in the EU. NZIA will enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the European industry and support the creation of green, quality jobs as the EU seeks to reach climate neutrality by 2050.
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With the Net-Zero Industry Act, we are strengthening Europe’s manufacturing base along the clean technology value chain. We are setting a bold benchmark for EU manufacturing capacity, aiming to meet at least 40% of the anticipated EU demand for net-zero technologies by 2030. We ensure our security of supply to remain an industrial leader that exports products and technologies while preserving EU jobs. Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market
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Commission launches new European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors
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Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are nuclear reactors that are much smaller than conventional nuclear power plants, and their production can rely on factory-assembled systems and components. By enhancing cooperation at EU level, the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs will accelerate the deployment of the first SMRs in the EU by the early 2030s. This will be done under the highest standards of nuclear safety and security, and environmental sustainability, while promoting industrial competitiveness.
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Is Europe on track to meet its wind energy targets?
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In the latest episode of the Business Planet program in collaboration with Euronews we look at how European producers are racing against the clock to build enough wind farms to meet the EU's renewable energy targets by 2030.
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Single Market and Industry
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Commission monitors strengths and challenges of EU's competitiveness
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Commission publishes Annual Union Work Programme on European Standardisation for 2024
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On 2 February, the Commission published its Annual Union Work Programme on European Standardisation (AUWP) 2024, which sets out its priorities on all activities related to standards. The 2024 AUWP includes 72 actions supporting the EU’s policy ambitions towards a green, digital and resilient Single Market. Amongst these, the Commission highlights 8 particular actions as policy priorities, including standards for activities on quantum, critical raw materials, the data economy, digital identity, heat pumps, cybersecurity, hydrogen and electric vehicles charging infrastructure.
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The 2024 edition of the Single Market Tour is hitting the road! Explore the initial segment of the 2024 schedule.
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The Single Market Tour started in 2023 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Single Market. The traveling exhibition already visited 7 Member States. In 2024 it continues its journey in 6 additional countries, starting in Thessaloniki, Greece on 1-2 March, and continuing with several stops in Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, and Germany. We eagerly anticipate engaging with people and highlighting the everyday advantages of the single market.
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Wrapping Up the European Social Innovation Competition
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The 2023 edition of The European Social Innovation Competition - EUSIC Academia concluded with a two-day event on 31 January and 1 February. Hosted by EISMEA – the European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency, the EUSIC Academia featured a series of tailored training modules exclusively for the 15 finalists of the 2023 challenge. These sessions aimed to support the participants' professional growth and enhance the structure of their business and social innovation solutions. The 2024 challenge will be launched this April and will focus on Digital Democracy.
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SMEs
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Enterprise Europe Network - EU single market success stories
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The stories featured in this brochure shed light on how the four fundamental freedoms of movement in the Single Market - goods, people, services, and capital - have simplified daily business operations, fueling growth and prosperity across the European Union. These 70 success stories, from 17 EU Member States and Iceland, are a testimony of the impactful collaboration within the Network, exemplifying its strength and functionality.
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Discover how to the SME Fund can help your SME better protect its IPR
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Building upon the success of its predecessors, this year's fund promises valuable opportunities for SMEs. During the webinar, you'll explore the advantages of the SME Fund; discover the support available for safeguarding intellectual property rights (IPRs) through vouchers and learn how to apply and claim partial reimbursement for trademarks, designs, patents, plant varieties, as well as for IP Scan and IP Scan Enforcement. Tailored for SMEs based in the EU or Ukraine seeking to protect their IPRs, this webinar welcomes previous applicants who are eligible to apply once more this year.
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Embracing global markets webinar series - Key Insights for thriving in dynamic markets in Asia, Africa and the Americas
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The Enterprise Europe Network’s Internationalisation working group launched the webinar series ‘Embracing global markets' to empower SMEs and start-ups to innovate and expand their presence in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This series offers vital market intelligence and regulatory insights, assisting companies in navigating fast-growing markets and targeted sectors. Eager to participate? Explore our 2024 webinar calendar for registration details.
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Watch the recordings of the Invest EU Conference
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On 23 January, the InvestEU: Financing Europe’s Future event highlighted the potential of InvestEU, showcased its beneficiaries, and facilitated interaction with InvestEU partners and stakeholders.
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EU solidarity with Ukraine
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Non-EU cities are now invited to participate as observers in the Intelligent Cities Challenge, enabling them to adopt leading twin transition practices
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Non-EU cities can now engage with the Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC), an initiative geared towards aiding cities in their green and digital transitions via Local Green Deals. This was announced on 30 January, during a webinar with Ukrainian cities, during which the Ukrainian translation of the ICC Blueprint for Local Green Deals was also presented.
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Economic corner
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Understanding EU-China exposure
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De-risking requires understanding exposure. This latest economic brief in the context of GROW’s Single Market Economics Papers looks at three channels of EU exposure to China: trade, investment and technology. It shows that while de-risking from China is a complex task, there are strengths and opportunities that the EU may build on.
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View the recording of the Research Conference on the EU Single Market held on 7 February
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If you missed it, catch up on the second edition of the Research Conference on the EU Single Market, where leading researchers presented their findings and policy insights related to the EU Single Market.
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Calls, reports, surveys...
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Initial findings from the European Monitor of Industrial Ecosytems reveal that the EU Industry is committed to fulfil the green and digital transition
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In a Staff Working Document (SWD) that accompanied the 2024 Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report, the European Commission has unveiled the first findings of the European Monitor of Industrial Ecosystems (EMI). These findings suggest a serious commitment by EU industry to invest in the twin transition and to adopt green and digital technologies, whilst also emphasizing the EU’s leadership worldwide in climate change technologies. The report also flags some key areas for improvement, in particular in skills and in digital technologies.
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Transition pathway for a green, digital, and resilient EU mobility industrial ecosystem
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The transition pathway for the EU Mobility Industrial Ecosystem, outlines a comprehensive plan for a green, digital, and resilient future. Developed collaboratively with national and regional authorities, industry stakeholders, NGOs, and others, this actionable plan addresses challenges, opportunities, and necessary actions to drive the transition in line with the updated EU industrial strategy. The publication of the report marks the start of the co-implementation process with stakeholders expected to make pledges in line with the actions identified. The report will also be presented to all interested stakeholders during the Roundtable event taking in Brussels on 29 February.
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Commission takes stock of progress towards green and digital tourism
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The very first stock-taking of the progress and visible results of the transition pathway for tourism since its launch in February 2022 is now available. Two years after the initial release of this transition pathway, the report highlights tangible progress across all action fronts, bolstered by the active involvement of tourism stakeholders from EU Member States and beyond. The report will also be presented to all interested stakeholders during the 'Together for EU Tourism' event taking in Brussels on 15 March.
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EU eInvoicing model plays a key role in simplifying electronic invoicing within the EU and beyond
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Discover the report on the EU electronic invoicing Directive, a milestone in the journey toward a more interconnected, interoperable, and efficient European eInvoicing landscape. This report sheds light on the Directive’s positive implications for businesses, public procurement, and cross-border transactions, fostering efficiency, and reducing costs in the EU and beyond. The report also addresses how the Directive’s impact extends beyond the public sector, encouraging the adoption of eInvoicing in Business-to-Business (B2B) transactions and the impact of recent policies encompassing the use of the EU eInvoicing standard and model.
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Make your event an EU Green Week Partner one
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The EU Green Week (29-30 May) is an annual opportunity to raise awareness, promote and discuss European environmental policy. Organised by the Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment, this year's edition will be about moving towards a water resilient EU. If you are interested in organising a partner event to take place between 29 May and 1 September you can apply until the 17 March.
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Public consultation on sustainability reporting standards for SMEs
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The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) announced a public consultation on simplified sustainability reporting standard for listed SMEs and voluntary sustainability reporting standard for non-listed SMEs. As part of its mandate granted by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) to provide technical advice to the Commission on European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), EFRAG has been mandated to develop the standard for SMEs that are public-interest entities. Feedback from all interested constituents is welcome.
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Apply to the EENergy open call, and potentially benefit from a €10,000 grant to plan your company's energy efficiency
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The program will support at least 1800 SMEs in developing Action Plans for improving their energy efficiency and will also include an EENergy grant of up to €10,000 for at least 900 SMEs. The EENergy grant is a one-time support mechanism that will be granted to the individual SMEs after the preparation and implementation of a concrete action plan targeting at least a 5% improvement in energy efficiency.
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Upcoming events
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Last call: 29 February - Roundtable event on the mobility transition pathway
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The event will present and discuss the transition pathway for the mobility ecosystem co-created with the industry and civil society. At the same time, the event will also kick-start the co-implementation process with a call for stakeholders’ pledges to underpin the actions of the transition pathway. Register here.
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Last call: 15 March - ‘Together for EU Tourism’ stakeholder event & 2 year-anniversary of the Transition Pathway for Tourism
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On 15 March, the Transition Pathway for Tourism will be celebrating its two-year anniversary. To mark this milestone, GROW will organise a dedicated stakeholder event, reflecting on past achievements and future developments of the tourism ecosystem. The hybrid event will bring together policymakers and stakeholders, in Brussels and online (livestreaming available here), from 10:00 to 15:30 CET. Register here.
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Save the date: 16 April - Advanced Manufacturing Industry Conference
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The conference will bring together policymakers, corporate leaders, academics, and institutional representatives to discuss specific challenges facing advanced manufacturing. The conference will provide insights for the incoming Commission on current bottlenecks and areas of opportunity, to ensure the industry remains competitive and supports the green transition. Register here.
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