Conference
Vision 2040 by Crafts & SMEs
Join us to shape Europe for SMEs!
10 December, 14:00 - 19:00, Brussels
Vision 2040 by Crafts & SMEs
There is no Europe without SMEs. They drive our economy, sustain our communities, carry forward a legacy of skills and innovation. With 26.1 million SMEs and Crafts shaping our surroundings, their ability to thrive will determine the kind of Europe we build for the next generations. In times of geopolitical instability, demographic shifts, and the green and digital transitions, SMEs remain at the heart of Europe’s resilience and sustainable growth.
Will the European Union recognise this strength and put the long-standing expertise of SMEs at the heart of its future strategy?
You are invited to exchange with SMEunited and its member organisations on the Vision 2040 by Crafts and SMEs. This Vision has been developed by identifying the trends, challenges and opportunities that will shape the entrepreneurial landscape over the next 15 years.
This high-level conference will be the occasion to:
- Bring together entrepreneurs, representatives from EU Institutions, stakeholders and think tanks to shape the path forward
- Reflect on the key shifts and how they affect entrepreneurship across regions and generations
- Define the policy conditions for vibrant, innovative SMEs
- Present the Vision 2040 for Crafts and SMEs and a concrete roadmap of actions to realise it
Join us to chart the course for a stronger, more dynamic Europe — where entrepreneurs lead the way into 2040!
Speakers
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Stéphane Séjourné
Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy
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Henna Virkkunen
Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
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Valdis Dombrovskis
Commissioner for Economy and Productivity
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Petri Salminen
SMEunited President
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Véronique Willems
SMEunited Secretary General
SMEunited
Stéphane Séjourné
Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy
Stéphane Séjourné is a French politician of Renaissance who currently serves as Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy. He served as Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs in the government of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal between January and September 2024.
SMEunited
Henna Virkkunen
Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
As Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen is tasked with combating the increasingly complex security threats facing the EU, whilst at the same time strengthening our external borders and our internal security. This goes hand in hand with her responsibility to ensure our freedoms, justice and democracy are strengthened too.
At the SMEunited Vision 2040 Conference, she will share her insights on how SMEs can drive the digital and green transitions towards a more innovative and sustainable Europe by 2040.
SMEunited
Valdis Dombrovskis
Commissioner for Economy and Productivity
Valdis Dombrovskis serves as Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for An Economy that Works for People and Commissioner for Trade. He oversees the EU’s economic governance, financial services, and trade policy, working to ensure a fair, sustainable and globally competitive European economy.
At the SMEunited Vision 2040 Conference, he will address how the EU can create a more SME-friendly business environment — one that supports investment, entrepreneurship and long-term competitiveness across Europe.
SMEunited
Petri Salminen
SMEunited President
Petri Salminen is Chairman of Federation of Finnish Enterprises (FFE). He has over 15 years of experience within FFE in several different leading roles locally, regionally and nationally. Prior to becoming Chairman, Petri Salminen has specialized in internationalization, growth entrepreneurship and migrant entrepreneurship issues.
Petri Salminen is entrepreneur in Salminen & Tikka Ltd providing business and sales development services. He is also partner in family-owned enterprise AJ-Tools Oy Ltd operating in metal industry.
SMEunited
Véronique Willems
SMEunited Secretary General
Véronique Willems serves as Secretary General of SMEunited, the association of Crafts and SMEs in Europe, as of 2017. SMEunited stands for 65 SME organisations – national cross-sectoral and European sector federations – from over 30 European countries.
With 25 years of experience in advocacy at local, regional, national and European level, Ms Willems builds on several years of counselling and mentoring SMEs and uses their everyday life as a basis to shape an SME-friendly business environment.
Programme
14.00
Welcome & introduction
Speakers
14.20
Vision 2040 by Crafts & SMEs
We have experienced one challenge after the other in the past few years. The European Union has been developing strategies for our competitiveness, single market and preparedness. SMEunited took a look through the lens of small companies: how do they feel the EU should like in 2040 and which steps should we take to realise that vision?
14.40
Fireside chat with Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto on “Crafts & SMEs for vibrant communities in 2040”
Small companies are the heart of communities in rural and metropolitan regions alike. However, they are challenged by e-commerce, desertification of rural areas, increasing administrative and regulatory burden, climate change, and so on. This fireside chat takes a focus on the Vision by Crafts and SMEs for those local communities and which role they will play.
15.35
Panel “Innovating for digital and green transition”
Small companies are key to drive the digital and green transition, either as developer of solutions or adaptor to deliver the change. This panel discusses the actions to be taken to allow SMEs to master the transitions.
17.20
Panel “Better regulation and SME friendly business environment”
Small companies thrive when they can focus on what they do best: their business. Policy makers have to take their specific characteristics into account when developing policy and legislation, applying the Think Small First principle. This panel discusses how to put the principle into practice and make it reality by 2040.
18.20
Conclusion: Roadmap 2040
Small companies defined a Vision 2040, and are well aware actions must be taken to make it reality. In the Roadmap 2040 they define actions to be taken by SMEunited, their national SME association and business support services and policy makers. Will you walk along the path to 2040?
Speakers
Charter
The journey towards Vision 2040 by Crafts & SMEs is guided by the Think Small First principle.
To guide policy making at all levels in favour of small companies, SMEunited launches the Think Small First Charter.
Sign the charter to endorse the application of the Think Small First principle!
More info