Next EU Industrial Forum (2026-2029): a structured dialogue platform to develop EU policies that support industrial innovation, competitiveness and growth
At a time when Europe’s industry faces mounting challenges – from the regulatory burden, aggravated trade tensions and declining investment levels to increased competition from the US and China – it is more important than ever to ensure that EU industrial policies create a framework that provides structural support for competitiveness, innovation, and growth. With industry accounting for around 20% of the EU’s GDP and providing nearly 35 million direct jobs across Europe, industrial policy must remain at the heart of the EU’s policy agenda.
Created in 2020 as a new, inclusive and open mechanism for co-designing solutions with stakeholders, the EU’s Industrial Forum has been instrumental in shaping the development and implementation of EU industrial policies over the past five years. The next Industrial Forum (2026-2029) should build on the work of the current Forum and act as the central dialogue platform for industry representatives and research and technology organisations to share ideas, comments and input and ensure that relevant EU policies are coherent and fit for purpose to promote European industrial competitiveness, innovation and grow. In line with this aim, we, cosignatories of this statement, would like to submit the proposals and recommendations below.
Principles and operating guidelines for the next EU Industrial Forum (2026–2029):
- Firmly recognise the Forum as the central structured dialogue platform for industrial policymaking
- Create a robust Work Plan with regular meetings and ad hoc exchanges
- Use the Forum as an early sounding board to discuss and pre-test ideas well before proposals are finalised
- Strong, high-level institutional engagement and systematic involvement of different DGs
- Strengthen inclusive practices and use of information-sharing tools to create a true ‘working forum’
- Build on Task Force 5 success