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.

SME Barometer: lockdown measures turn down recovery expectations — 15 March 2021, 23:35 CET

The SME Business Climate Index presented on 15 March shows a partial recovery of 5.2% up to 59.8% after the neg

Entrepreneurship key in implementation of European Pillar of Social Rights — 05 March 2021, 21:29 CET

The Action Plan to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) should support socio-economic recovery and job creation. SMEs contribute to the European social dimension, providing 67% of employment in Europe, and training young people through apprenticeships. For this reason, entrepreneurs and self-employed should be at the core of the action plan.

European SMEs call for support to realise EU goal — 03 December 2020, 22:05 CET

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission addressed the SMEunited General Assembly today. She highlighted the EU funds that will be invested in the recovery and transition. SME representatives from around Europe issued a Declaration demanding a speedy approval of Next Generation EU and a focus on solvency support.

SME Assembly marks cooperation for sustainable and resilient SME future — 16 November 2020, 22:20 CET

SMEunited highlights SME demands at the start of the SME Assembly. Once a year, the European "SME community" gathers to exchange views on SME policy and actions to be taken. This year the focus is on "building a sustainable and resilient future together".

SMEs prepare for Brexit in 50 days — 11 November 2020, 13:08 CET

SMEunited calls on its member organisations to step up preparatory actions for new EU - UK relations as of 1st January.

SMEunited disagrees with the EC proposal for a directive on minimum wage — 28 October 2020, 23:28 CET

SMEunited is strongly disappointed by the Commission’s choice to adopt a Directive for tackling the issue of fair minimum wages in Europe.

Recovery and Resilience Plans must fully integrate SMEs needs — 14 October 2020, 23:39 CET

Solvency support, digitalisation, green transformation, employability and fast deployment of recovery funds are the five key issues raised by SMEunited President Maggiar at the Tripartite Social Summit. He also underlined the importance of involving social partners in developing National Recovery and Resilience Plans.

SMEs expect only slow recovery from crisis — 13 October 2020, 21:15 CET

The latest EU SME Barometer presented on 12 October shows an unprecedented drop in the Business Climate for SMEs caused by the COVID-19 crisis. This is mainly due very negative results for the past semester, but also the expectations from the second semester are subdue. As a consequence, the SME Climate Index falls by 18.8, reaching 54.6 points, which is the lowest level ever registered.

SOTEU: Big ambitions must match with realism — 17 September 2020, 14:36 CET

SMEunited supports the vision and ambitions put forward by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her first State of the European Union Speech. "In order to make them a reality we now urgently need to move to action", says President Maggiar. SMEs expect concrete next steps and realistic time frames to master the adaptation to a fairer, greener and more digital economy.

EU and UK SMEs urge for an agreement on Brexit — 28 July 2020, 17:23 CET

In a letter to the Brexit negotiators SMEunited reiterates the necessity to promptly reach an agreement defining the framework for the future EU-UK relations. EU and UK SMEs are concerned that there is still no progress in negotiations. They urge for a robust trade agreement which supports the integrity of the Single Market whilst maintaining close business relations between the EU and the UK.

EU Recovery Package: a brave step but lacks SME component — 23 July 2020, 00:42 CET

SMEunited welcomes the European Council deal on the Recovery package. European leaders took an important step, which is a strong sign of cross-border solidarity amid the pandemic. However, important instruments for SMEs were cut severely.

SMEunited welcomes the new European Skills Agenda — 01 July 2020, 23:27 CET

With the new Skills Agenda, the European Commission acknowledges that there is a political momentum for a new approach to skills. SMEunited fully shares the view that it is time for stepping up investment in people's skills. More than ever we all need to use the tools and funds at disposal to boost education, training and skills development.

Renovation Wave: key incentive for SME recovery — 26 June 2020, 00:08 CET

The Renovation Wave can be a significant contribution to the economic restart of the EU. SMEs in the construction sector will get a boost from the resources invested to make buildings energy efficient and the turn around initiated towards renewable energy sources.

SMEs welcome Commission GDPR Report — 26 June 2020, 00:04 CET

SMEunited welcomes the evaluation report on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), published by the European Commission. The report takes into account the feedback of the Multi-stakeholder Expert Group on the Implementation of the GDPR in which SMEunited actively participated.

Enable SMEs to drive Europe's recovery — 08 June 2020, 23:33 CET

At the General Assembly of SMEunited on 5 June, Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis discussed the European Recovery Strategy and Recovery Fund with SMEunited members.

Recovery Strategy is bold step in right direction — 28 May 2020, 00:38 CET

The European Recovery Strategy with its Recovery Fund and the adapted Multiannual Financial is a bold step, said SMEunited President Alban Maggiar in a first reaction to today's announcement from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Farm to Fork Strategy: work continues for SMEs — 21 May 2020, 00:32 CET

In a first reaction to the Farm to Fork Strategy, SMEunited welcomes the comprehensive food-chain approach that acknowledges the role of the various food chain actors in delivering the change towards more sustainable food systems.

SMEs need an ambitious Recovery Strategy — 18 May 2020, 18:25 CET

During its e-meeting, SMEunited's Board of Directors addressed the current challenges SMEs face and highlighted the importance of a bold, forward looking and targeted Recovery Strategy including a European Recovery Fund.

SMEs across Europe focus on day present and after — 28 April 2020, 18:40 CET

During a Board of Directors e-meeting on Friday 24 April, SMEunited gathered the views of Board members across Europe on the SME business environment in this COVID-19 crisis. Entrepreneurs are handling the day present, however already look forward to the day after as well.

SME emergency actions, exit and recovery strategies presented to Commission and Council — 22 April 2020, 23:32 CET

The business environment for SMEs has dramatically changed for the worse in the past weeks. This has a huge negative impact on hundreds of thousands of Crafts and SMEs, and also threatens fundamentally the core role which SMEs play in European citizen's everyday life. To support the survival and quick recovery of SMEs across Europe, SMEunited presents proposals on the emergency actions, exit and recovery strategies.

Statement of the European Social Partners on the COVID-19 emergency — 16 March 2020, 23:22 CET

The social partners urge the governments to approve measures

Support for SMEs needed to master Corona Crisis — 13 March 2020, 21:38 CET

President Alban Maggiar reacted positively on the COVID-19 crisis measures announced today by the European Commission and hopes that the Finance Ministers quickly adopt them.

SME strategy: SMEs lack systemic change in policy making — 10 March 2020, 22:36 CET

In a first reaction to the SME Strategy, SMEunited acknowledges that the strategy develops a very clear picture on the challenges SMEs face, however falls short in creating a gamechanger in policy making.

SMEs Call for Economic Support due to COVID-19 Impact — 06 March 2020, 12:41 CET

Following the outbreak of the corona virus in Europe and measures taken to contain the spread, SMEunited is receiving information from members indicating already a disastrous impact on some sectors in the economy, especially for SMEs.

Climate Law: More focus on SMEs needed — 05 March 2020, 23:37 CET

Following the presentation of the new Climate Law, SMEunited approves of the key principles underpinning the Commission’s activity to reach climate neutrality at the latest by 2050.