In a context of new industrial policies being developed by the European Commission, a shift in focus from the European Green Deal to competitiveness, and growing international geoeconomic tensions, it is essential to engage in constructive and multi-stakeholder discussions on industrial policy. 

Since the release of the Draghi report one year ago, competitiveness has become the main theme of the European Commission. However, the definition of competitiveness remains fuzzy and the narrative around it problematic. In the name of competitiveness, different initiatives are advanced that entail deregulation and backtracking on green commitments. In other cases, we see calls for channelling subsidies to large incumbent companies, also in the name of competitiveness.

With this conference, we would like to discuss the goals of the European industrial policy and  get more clarity on the definition and role of “competitiveness”:

• How can industrial policies be shaped in a way that supports a just transition, including accelerated decarbonisation, workers’ rights and an enhanced quality of life and environment for all? 
• What is competitiveness and its role in achieving European policy objectives?
• What should be the EU’s goals and vision for trade, coherent with its industrial policy and just transition?

To explore these questions, the policy conference will bring together a wide array of speakers, from high-level political figures to trade union representatives, civil society experts and academic researchers. The conference will propose evidence-based analyses on the state and needs of the EU’s industrial policies, debates between high-level political and civil society representatives, and stimulating discussions on different topics such as decarbonisation, competitiveness, labour markets, trade and circularity. The programme will include different formats: keynote speeches, high-level panel discussions, presentations and smaller interactive sessions.

The conference is organised by FEPS and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), in collaboration with the S&D Group in the European Parliament, PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), IndustriAll Europe, and Solidar. 

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