European craft and SME employers' organisation

SMEunited is the association of Crafts and SMEs in Europe with around 70 member organisations from over 30 European countries. SMEunited represents national cross-sectoral Craft and SME federations, European SME branch organisations and associate members. Combined, we represent more than 12 million enterprises with around 55 million employees across Europe. SMEunited is also a recognised employers' organisation and European Social Partner. SMEunited’s mission is shaping Europe for SMEs and shaping SMEs for Europe.

SMEs call for a stronger Europe — 20 March 2019, 23:14 CET

At the Tripartite Social Summit on Growth and Employment, ahead of the European Council, SMEunited President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller called for a stronger, united and forward looking Europe, truly shaped for SMEs.

SMEs drive social progress despite new challenges — 19 March 2019, 15:36 CET

SMEs are the main source of jobs and the main social driver in Europe despite substantial challenges.

SMEs business confidence fades out — 14 March 2019, 16:59 CET

Today, ahead of next week's Tripartite Social Summit and European Council, SMEunited President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller presented the latest EU SME Barometer.

Access to finance is still a concern for SMEs — 13 March 2019, 13:57 CET

Accessing finance to fund their projects is still an important concern for Europe’s SMEs.

SMEs4Europe Campaign: Digitalisation is crucial for SMEs competitiveness — 05 March 2019, 14:14 CET

Digital transformation is a big challenge for SMEs today. Highly innovative SMEs are faced with regulatory and financial barriers as well as skills shortage that hinder their growth. Traditional companies that are facing the digital transformation process risk losing their competitiveness.

SMEs can make Europe stronger - SMEunited kicks off information campaign ahead of European Elections — 26 February 2019, 13:56 CET

The European Union is at a crossroad. The upcoming elections of the European Parliament and the decision about the next European Commission will be decisive, not only for Europe, but also for SMEs.

Political groups reflect on SME policy — 21 February 2019, 12:13 CET

MEP Othmar Karas, President of the SME Intergroup at the European Parliament, and SMEunited Secretary General Véronique Willems invited the different political groups to discuss future priorities for European SME policy.

SMEs Are Key for the Future of Europe — 19 February 2019, 22:28 CET

Today, in Bucharest, SMEunited President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller met with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and with Minister Radu Oprea (Business Environment, Commerce and Entrepreneurship). Representatives from SMEunited Romanian member organisation CNIPMMR joined the discussions. During the meetings, they focussed on the preparation of the Future of Europe debate at the upcoming Sibiu Summit in May, and SME priorities.

SMEs are key to fight climate change — 07 February 2019, 15:12 CET

In a meeting yesterday with Commissioner Karmenu Vella, SMEunited President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller stressed the important role SMEs operating in eco-industry play in fighting climate change.

Innovation is the engine of our economy — 23 November 2018, 11:33 CET

Innovation is the engine of our economy and crucial for the competitiveness of Europe's economy. However, SMEs and start-ups have problems to finance innovative projects, seen as too risky by banks.

SMEs continue to recover and drive Europe's economy — 20 November 2018, 18:32 CET

Ten years after the start of the financial crisis and the adoption of the Small Business Act, the European Commission presented today its new SME Performance Review at the SME Assembly 2018.

SMEunited launches UEAPME into the future — 08 November 2018, 00:14 CET

At yesterday's Extraordinary General Assembly, UEAPME decided on SMEunited as the new name for the association for Crafts and SMEs in Europe.

Political tensions are becoming a challenge for growth in Europe — 05 November 2018, 13:21 CET

At the Macroeconomic dialogue, heads of the European Commission, Presidency of the Council of the EU, and European Central Bank, discussed the economic situation in Europe and its challenges with the European Social Partners.

President Rabmer-Koller handed over the 2018 EEN award — 25 October 2018, 12:18 CET

At the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Award ceremony in Vienna yesterday, UEAPME President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller handed over the award to Nova Innovation Ltd, a world leader in tidal turbine technology and project development.

Dangerous substances: a real cause of work-related illnesses — 23 October 2018, 18:50 CET

In the context of the European Week for Safety and Health at Work, UEAPME welcomes the raising awareness actions related to the campaign managed by OSHA.

Working conditions: even more burdens for employers — 18 October 2018, 22:37 CET

The European Parliament (EMPL) vote on compromise amendments on transparent and predictable working conditions goes further than the Commission’s proposal on issues such as information, predictability of work, non-standard forms of employment, training, probationary period, transition to another form of employment or employers’ sanctions.

Standards are crucial for market access for SMEs — 17 October 2018, 19:46 CET

tandards are everywhere! They affect our daily life whether we realise it or not. Every year on 14th October, the World Standards Day celebrates the creation of the International Standardisation Organisation (ISO).

European leaders must avoid putting growth at risk — 16 October 2018, 14:47 CET

At the Tripartite Social Summit dealing with 'Reinforcing competitiveness, sustainable job creation and social fairness in the EU', UEAPME President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller put forward the fact that competitiveness should be tackled in a global context, since current political uncertainties - such as the trade conflicts, protectionism , Brexit, and skills shortage - have a direct impact on SME expectations and further developments.

SMEs show economic stability at high level with confidence at 81.7 — 11 October 2018, 13:01 CET

Today, ahead of next week's Tripartite Social Summit and European Council, UEAPME President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller presented the latest EU SME Barometer.

Digitalisation is a key challenge for SMEs — 30 September 2018, 22:07 CET

EAPME President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller met with European Commission Vice-President Andrus Ansip to discuss the SMEs' challenges to digitalise. UEAPME wants to make sure that all SMEs are on the digital train. Fair and transparent rules, skills development, modern infrastructure and SME-friendly standards are crucial to achieve this objective.

Juncker Commission must not forget real economy in its final spurt — 12 September 2018, 22:48 CET

In a first reaction to President Jean-Claude Juncker’s “State of the European Union” speech, UEAPME welcomes the fact that Juncker wants to focus on delivery for the last year of his Commission.

UEAPME urges policy makers to strengthen SMEs — 05 September 2018, 12:16 CET

UEAPME President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller discussed the Multiannual Financial Framework with Commissioner Günther Oettinger, emphasising that SMEs ask for a more dedicated investment in innovation, especially when using new technologies such as digitalisation.

Deepening of the EMU needs a realistic approach — 05 July 2018, 19:40 CET

At a conference on the Economic and Monetary Union in the framework of the new Austrian Presidency of the European Union in Linz (AT), UEAPME President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller discussed the deepening and convergence of the EMU with the main players in the reform process.

EU Industry Strategy has to be supported by next MFF — 28 June 2018, 14:52 CET

On 27 June, UEAPME President Ulrike Rabmer-Koller participated in the second meeting of the High-level Industrial Roundtable chaired by Commission Vice-President Katainen and Commissioner Bieńkowska, who advises the European Commission on a new European Strategy for Industrial Policy.

European Labour Authority should serve the purpose of SMEs — 21 June 2018, 13:04 CET

UEAPME sees the European efforts to further promote cross-border mobility and a better functioning of the Single Market as a positive step for SMEs.