Members of the ECON commission today unanimously adopted the draft opinion — on European Competitiveness Fund - a new instrument expected to be created in 2028 under the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). They welcomed the ambition to strengthen Europe’s long-term competitiveness while urging that the Fund be designed with a strong place-based approach and with the full involvement of local and regional authorities.
Pehr Granfalk (SE/EPP), Member of the Solna Municipal Council, and rapporteur on the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) opinion said “For a European Competitiveness Fund to deliver real impact, it must be firmly anchored in local and regional realities. This is the single most important improvement we want to see to strengthen the Fund’s effectiveness and legitimacy.”
In the debate, members underlined that regions and municipalities must be integrated into the ECF governance and delivery chain, not only as beneficiaries but as catalysts, coordinators and testing grounds for innovation ecosystems linking universities, research centres, businesses and civil society.
The adopted text calls for:
• Local and regional authorities to be involved in advisory boards and governance structures of the ECF to ensure effective linkages with place-based innovation, stronger synergies with public investment on the ground, and a focus on tailor-made solutions;
• Recognition of regional promotional banks and cooperative or similar financing institutions as key partners for InvestEU, including in the envisaged national compartments;
• The establishment by the Commission of a single “AI Fund for regional and local authorities”, as part of specific actions to support Europe’s digital leadership and to accelerate the implementation of relevant EU strategic objectives;
• A stronger role for regions in broadening the defence industrial base, including by integrating capable regional ecosystems that contribute to territorial cohesion, supporting SMEs and start-ups, and strengthening preparedness of citizens, businesses and local infrastructure.
Members also stressed that the planned merging of 14 funding programmes into the future ECF must reflect lessons learned from implementation at local and regional level, ensuring simplified access and effective support where it is most needed. New initiatives such as the EU for Business Network should build on existing support structures and respond to the concrete needs of SMEs, including smaller ones, on the ground.
