Europe Day: Why the EU matters for businesses

As Europe Day reminds us, the European Union was built on a simple but powerful idea: economic cooperation is a driver of growth and stability. That mission is just as relevant today – the EU helps people and businesses grow, connect, and succeed across borders.

The EU is home to around 25 million SMEs, representing 99% of all companies. Most of them are micro-enterprises, often family-run businesses. This means Europe’s economy depends on the success of millions of its small firms. But what does it take for Europe’s SMEs to grow, scale, and compete globally?

This question was at the heart of BusinessEurope’s SME Roadshow in Porto, organised with our member federation, the Confederação Empresarial de Portugal (CIP). This “tour of capitals” brings together SMEs, policymakers, and institutions across Europe to discuss key challenges and solutions on the ground.

These topics were also the focus of our latest Espresso Briefings podcast episode. Our Communications Director, Sofiya Yevchuk, was joined by Ema Paulino, Chair of BusinessEurope’s Entrepreneurship and SME Committee, to explore what’s holding Europe’s small businesses back and what needs to change.