Investing in the real economy: supporting European SMEs and mid-caps
A strategic challenge for Europe’s future
“SMEs and mid-caps are the backbone of the European economy: they total around 26.1 million companies, employ approximately 83 million people, and generate several thousand billion euros in value added – highlighting their central role in the economic resilience of the Union.”
(European Commission, SME Performance Review – Annual Report on European SMEs 2024/2025)
Recent crises, whether the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, or changes in the U.S. approach to European protection, have underscored how essential these companies are to European sovereignty. Yet, their access to financing remains limited, hindering their potential for innovation, international expansion, and growth.