By Martin Banks

The body representing small businesses across the EU have demanded “tailored policies” that enable them to “invest, innovate, and grow”.

This plea comes in a letter to EU leaders from SMEunited President Davide Galli just ahead of the EU Summit in June.

His message is: “Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, and strategic autonomy depend on a strong SME base.”

SMEunited called on EU leaders who will converge on Brussels later this month to ensure that the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) – the EU’s long term budget – “delivers” for Europe’s small and medium-sized enterprises.

The association also addressed global economic challenges and called for “appropriate” framework conditions for small companies.

SMEunited stressed that the next MFF must ensure SME access to EU funding.

This includes participation targets for SMEs, sufficient funding for dedicated SME instruments, and guidance for companies.

Previous programmes have seen strong demand, with SME-focused instruments often oversubscribed.

Members also called for greater integration of regional and agricultural funding, while preserving the distinct goals of the CAP and cohesion policy.

“Stronger integration of these funds under one single framework provides an opportunity to support the development of rural areas, which rely on SMEs’ contributions”, the letter states.

Furthermore, SMEunited members urged that SMEs be represented in the governance of EU programmes, particularly in the Competitiveness Fund and National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs).

“That way, we can ensure that the intended flexibility does not overlook specific SME aspects”.

In  what it calls a challenging economic context, SMEunited highlighted that “SMEs are confronted with increasing geopolitical instability, trade fragmentation, high energy costs, and unfair international competition”.

Members called on EU leaders to strengthen resilience while maintaining open and balanced trade relations.

Finally, the association stressed the need to continue simplification efforts.

“Entrepreneurs ask for a sound regulatory framework and legislative restraint to avoid further cumulation of regulatory requirements”.

“SMEunited stands ready to contribute constructively to these efforts, in line with the ‘Think Small First’ principle, which was acknowledged as a crucial tool in policymaking in the EU Summit conclusions from March 2026”, the letter concludes