Subnational government is responsible for two thirds of public investment in the European Union (EU), one third of public expenditure, and one quarter of tax revenue. This subnational level is made up of approximately one million democratically elected politicians who are represented at European level by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR).
Nobody knows better than CoR members what is happening in their regions, cities and towns, and they are therefore uniquely placed to reveal how the European Union is functioning on the ground. In the 2020 – 2025 CoR mandate, the Renew Europe Group committed itself to contribute at every opportunity with evidence and experience of decisions and actions taken in their region or municipality in relation to specific EU policy objectives.
One of our policy objectives for the current mandate is to pursue actions which create sustainable local jobs, especially for our youth, by promoting and facilitating a local entrepreneurial spirit, the development and growth of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and their access to cross-border EU and international markets.
This brochure brings together several examples of local and regional support provided to SMEs by Renew Europe CoR members. It aims to showcase best practices and facilitate a local entrepreneurial spirit, putting SMEs at the heart of our European economy.
