EBN Policy Briefing – October 2025: Key Insights on Innovation and Competitiveness

This month, EBN presents the September – October edition of the EU Policy Briefing, outlining the most relevant initiatives and actions in innovation, entrepreneurship, and regional development policies. This overview highlights key European policy developments of interest to our international network of EU|BICs and innovation stakeholders. 

Updates from EBN and EU|BICs  

EBN continues to actively contribute to shaping Europe’s innovation policy agenda. In October, the network published two major policy papers:  The 28th Regime, A Strategic Necessity for Scaling European Innovation and Strategic Recommendations for the European Innovation Act. Both papers underline EBN’s commitment to strengthening Europe’s competitiveness by addressing regulatory fragmentation and enabling innovators to scale within the Single Market. 

EBN also delivered the EU|BIC Essentials Training on “Valorisation of R&I Results through Incubation and Acceleration Pathways”, held online from 6 to 10 October 2025, reinforcing the network’s focus on capacity building and innovation ecosystem excellence. 

Updates from the European Commission 

The College of Commissioners’ meetings in September and October addressed several initiatives relevant to Europe’s innovation landscape. The Commission proposed a new Regulation establishing the Single Market and Customs Programme for 2028–2034, consolidating existing instruments to enhance the functioning of the Single Market. 

Further priorities included a Financial Literacy Strategy for the EU—accompanied by recommendations on savings and investment products with simplified tax treatment, and a forthcoming communication on the Apply AI Strategy, which will guide the EU’s approach to responsible artificial intelligence adoption. 

DG REGIO – Regional and Urban Policy 

The European Commission outlined its vision for the Future of Cohesion Policy as part of the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. Cohesion Policy remains a key pillar of EU investment, supporting regional development, innovation in SMEs, and sustainable urban and rural transformation. The proposal emphasises a continued commitment to ensuring that all European regions benefit from growth and innovation opportunities. 

DG Research and Innovation (RTD) 

EBN will be present with a booth at the Innovation Fair 2025, which takes place in Brussels on 23 October under the theme “Enabling that Step Forward”. The event showcases cooperation between European, African and Mediterranean innovation ecosystems within the AU–EU Innovation Agenda (2023–2033) and the New Pact for the Mediterranean. It provides a platform for showcasing high-impact innovations, connecting them with investors and fostering cross-border collaboration. 

Updates from the European Parliament 

The European Parliament’s plenary sessions in September and October addressed several policy areas central to Europe’s competitiveness and innovation capacity. 

The debate on Investments and Reforms for European Competitiveness and the Creation of a Capital Markets Union focused on harmonising financial rules, improving cross-border investment, and developing EU-labelled products to direct household savings towards innovation, clean technologies, and digital transformation. 

Amendments to the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the mid-term review of cohesion policy aim to align EU funding with new strategic priorities, including decarbonisation, affordable housing, defence, and energy transition. These adjustments also seek to simplify administrative procedures and strengthen flexibility for regional actors. 

The debate on Completing a Fully Integrated Single Market highlighted persistent regulatory barriers and administrative burdens that hinder cross-border innovation and entrepreneurship. MEPs called for stronger rule enforcement, digitalisation of administrative processes, and improved recognition of professional qualifications across Member States. 

Additionally, the Parliament’s Report on Tax Simplification addressed the challenges posed by fragmented national tax systems. The report proposed more predictable and harmonised tax frameworks, supporting SME competitiveness and easing cross-border operations. 

Updates from the Committee of the Regions 

On 30 September, the Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture (SEDEC) discussed strategies to boost startups, promote innovation, and create quality jobs. The debate centred on the EU Start-up and Scale-up Strategy and the upcoming Quality Jobs Roadmap. 

The Committee of the Regions also announced the European Week of Regions and Cities 2025 (13–15 October), the leading annual event bringing together local and regional authorities to exchange best practices on regional development and cohesion policy. 

News from other European Associations 

Several European associations held key events and published relevant policy insights this month. 

EURADA hosted a policy dialogue on connecting national and regional planning to European priorities, reflecting on the role of Smart Specialisation in the next financial framework. ERRIN shared its key messages on shaping the future EU Agenda for Cities and launched new technical assistance calls to boost sustainability investments under Cohesion Policy. 

Eurocities published its position paper Empowering Cities through Cohesion Policy and launched Akadémeia – The School of European Policies (10 October–6 December 2025). Bruegel held a series of policy discussions, including MFF in a New Era: How to Finance Competitiveness, Security and Other European Public Goods, and Strategic Transformation for Europe’s Growth: Investing in Resilience, Innovation and Competitiveness. 

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