European Digital Leadership: Setting the Priorities for 2030
The 2024 European elections will be a turning point for Europe’s Digital Decade goals. This event unveiled DIGITAL SME perspectives on EU priorities in the next 5 years. It served to discuss the ideas of the most innovative European SMEs on how to enable mastering digital technologies across key industries.
The Manifesto is set to outline a vision for a European Digital New Deal and put the continent on the right course for digital leadership, by placing digital SMEs at the center of every action.
Similar to the European Green Deal, where leaders pushed for ambitious measures to become the first climate-neutral continent, a European Digital New Deal is needed to spearhead innovation and catch up with Europe´s digital competitors or else be locked in the role of digital consumers.
The discussion featured innovative entrepreneurs, key MEPs and representatives of the European Commission who identified the most relevant priorities in digital and industrial policy.
AGENDA
17:30 - 18:00
Welcoming Coffee & Registration
18:00 - 18:15
Opening remarks:
- Josianne Cutajar – Member of the European Parliament (S&D) hosting the event
- Dr Oliver Grün – President (DIGITAL SME)
- Sebastiano Toffaletti – Secretary General (DIGITAL SME)
18:15 - 18:25
Keynotes:
- “The future of Digital Policy in the EU” by Thibaut Kleiner – Director of Policy Strategy and Outreach (DG CNECT)
- “Digital transformation of industry in the EU” by Amaryllis Verhoeven – Acting Director – Ecosystem II: Digital Transformation of Industry (DG GROW)
18:25 - 19:15
Towards a European Digital New Deal – EU Digital Policy priorities in the next 5 years
- Josianne Cutajar – Member of the European Parliament (S&D)
- Dr. Oliver Grün – President (DIGITAL SME)
- Beatrice Covassi – Member of the European Parliament (S&D)
- Karen Melchior – Member of the European Parliament (Renew Europe)
- Radan Kanev – Member of the European Parliament (EPP Group)
- Frank Karlitschek – CEO and Founder (Nextcloud GmbH)
Moderator
- Antonio Grasso – Public Affairs Director (DIGITAL SME)
19:15 - 19:20
Concluding Remarks and Next Steps towards a DIGITAL SME Manifesto 2030
- Sebastiano Toffaletti – Secretary General (DIGITAL SME)
19:20 - 20:00
Cocktail reception
