The Euro Nordic Funding Alliance (ENFA) continues to strengthen its role as a bridge between regional innovation and global policy. Recently, our team traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark, for the SME Assembly 2025, the European Commission’s premier gathering for the small and medium-sized enterprise sector.

Represented by our Managing Director in Greece, Andreas Stefanidis (from the Academy of Entrepreneurship - AKEP.EU), and our Secretary General, ENFA joined entrepreneurs, policymakers, and business support organizations under this year’s vital theme: “Successful SMEs, Competitive Europe.”

Insights from the Innovation Frontlines

The week kicked off with a deep dive into practical innovation during a visit to the AlphaLaval Solutions Innovation Hub at the transformed Forum venue. This set the stage for a series of high-level engagements where ENFA’s presence in 21 countries across three continents allowed us to provide a unique, "boots-on-the-ground" perspective.

Our participation focused on the pillars that will define the next decade of business:

• Policy Dialogues: Contributing to workshops on SME resilience, digitalization, and sustainability.
• Global Networking: Engaging one-on-one with ecosystem leaders from Nigeria and China to Uganda and Kenya, proving that European SME competitiveness is inextricably linked to global partnerships.
• Sector Synergy: Connecting with peers across agribusiness, tech, data protection, and the creative economy.
• Impact Investment: Reflecting on the necessity of de-risked investment models to help impact-driven ventures scale effectively.

Key Takeaways: Shaping a Competitive Europe

The Assembly highlighted several critical shifts needed to bolster the SME landscape:

1. Supply Chain Vitality: SMEs are no longer just "small businesses"; they are the backbone of supply-chain continuity and crisis preparedness.
2. The "Think Small First" Mandate: While progress has been made, Europe must double down on implementing a genuine "Think Small First" approach to regulation and support.
3. Digital Simplification: Competitiveness will be won through simpler digital tools and smarter standardization, making it easier for SMEs to operate across borders.

"ENFA’s mission is to turn these high-level policy insights into actionable opportunities for our members, focusing on blended finance and global innovation ecosystems."

Turning Insight into Action

A massive thank you to the organizers, Promoting Enterprise, and all the partners who facilitated this cross-sector exchange.

As we return from Copenhagen, ENFA is more committed than ever to supporting our members in accessing cross-border business opportunities and navigating the complexities of the global market. Together, we are building a more resilient, digital, and competitive future for SMEs everywhere.

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