Newsflash - 11 April 2025

SGIs at the heart of a competitive and inclusive Europe: Highlights from the first SGI Intergroup event at the European Parliament

On 8 April 2025, the European Parliament hosted the first event organised by the Intergroup on Social Economy and Services of General Interest (SGIs), titled “The EU Way of Competitiveness”. The gathering spotlighted the vital role of SGIs in shaping a sustainable, resilient, and socially inclusive European competitiveness model.

The event, held in the European Parliament, brought together Members of the European Parliament, EU Commission, providers of services of general interest representatives, and EU policy experts to discuss how SGIs act as both enablers and as core actors of the EU's competitive strategy, particularly in the context of the green and digital transitions.

Following opening addresses by MEP Camilla Laureti (S&D) and MEP Ignazio Marino (Greens/EFA), the first panel, moderated by MEP Marion Walsmann (EPP), focused on SGIs as enablers of competitiveness. Speakers from RATP Group, GdW, and La Poste showcased how public transport, housing, and postal networks underpin innovation, social cohesion, and local economic development. MEP Gabriele Bischoff (S&D) emphasised the need to view SGIs not as market correctors but as integral to Europe’s long-term strategy.

The second panel, led by MEP Benedetta Scuderi (Greens/EFA), highlighted the active role of SGIs in driving competitiveness. Contributions from A2A and the Dutch Water Authorities illustrated innovative energy storage and sustainable procurement projects, reinforcing SGIs' capacity to foster strategic autonomy and environmental leadership.

SGI Europe reiterated its call for a paradigm shift throughout the event: SGIs must be recognised as structural components of EU competitiveness. This includes investing in critical infrastructures, reducing administrative burdens, and ensuring SGIs are fully integrated into the Clean Industrial Deal, Preparedness Strategy, and the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

Keynote speaker Pablo Fons from the European Commission’s Competitiveness Task Force underlined the alignment between SGI-driven approaches and the EU's broader economic vision.

The event concluded with remarks by MEP Alexandra Mehnert (EPP), reaffirming the Intergroup’s commitment to placing SGIs at the heart of Europe’s competitiveness agenda. With a full room, the event made a strong case for shifting the EU’s narrative from market-driven growth to a people-centred, service-empowered model of sustainable prosperity.

Contact: Benoît Cassorla

SGI Europe participates in the Social Protection Committee (SPC)

At the invitation of the Social Protection Committee (SPC) of the Council of the EU, SGI Europe took part in a tripartite discussion on the implementation of the 2024 Action Plan on Labour and Skills Shortages. The meeting brought together Member States, the European Commission, European social partners and civil society organisations.

SGI Europe, representing employers delivering essential public and social services across Europe, was invited to contribute to the session on activating underrepresented groups in the labour market.

In its intervention, SGI Europe shared four priorities for action:

• Stronger local coordination between employment, social, and care services, with SGIs involved as partners.
• More inclusive workplaces: better adapted to older workers, people with disabilities, and the long-term unemployed.
• Use of SGI sectors as activation platforms: offering supported entry jobs, training, and progression.
• Investment in inclusive education as a foundation for long-term participation in the labour market.

Contact: Guillaume Afellat

Platform on Sustainable Finance 2.0 marks the end of its mandate with a series of recommendations for the EU Taxonomy Regulation

On 31st March, the Platform on Sustainable Finance (PSF) officially had its last day of its mandate to develop further the EU Taxonomy Regulation, marking a pivotal moment for EU sustainability reporting in the finance sector. Chaired by Helena Viñes Fiestas, the meeting reviewed key reports, including simplifying the EU Taxonomy and a report from the Technical Working Group (TWG). A warm farewell was given to members, rapporteurs, and the DG FISMA team for their significant contributions.

A central focus of the meeting was the Platform's response to the Omnibus proposal, which aims to revise the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the EU Taxonomy. Didier Millerot from DG FISMA acknowledged the Platform's work, but members raised concerns over the proposed reduction of the reporting scope. There were fears that limiting the data available to investors could hinder sustainable investments, particularly regarding the introduction of materiality thresholds.

The Platform also discussed its draft report on simplifying the EU Taxonomy, which proposes a third reduction in corporate green reporting obligations. While members expressed support for simplification, they warned that narrowing the scope of sustainability reporting could increase burdens on financial institutions. The Platform's recommendations will now be forwarded to the European Commission; all reports for the EU Taxonomy recommendations can be found here.

Looking ahead, the European Commission will review these recommendations and determine how to integrate them into the EU Taxonomy. A structured process will follow, including stakeholder consultations, drafting Delegated Acts, and defining the criteria for sustainable activities. The European Parliament and the Council will scrutinise these acts before becoming EU law.

SGI Europe welcomed the final report from the Technical Working Group, particularly for its further development of environmental standards to protect drinking water via nature-based solutions. SGI Europe emphasises the importance of the recommendations in the handover note, which included tapping into opportunities to incorporate retail activities into the sustainable finance framework, particularly within the energy sector. This expansion would complete the activity cycle for sustainable and low-carbon technologies, further contributing to the EU’s sustainability goals.

Contact: Henriette Gleau

European Parliament holds a first debate on its own-initiative opinion on Public Procurement

On 8 April, the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) debated its draft own-initiative report on public procurement. The discussion revealed consensus on the need for simplification, enhanced SME access, and digitalisation of procurement procedures, but diverging views on using procurement as a strategic policy tool.

Rapporteur Piotr Müller (ECR, PL) emphasised simplification to reduce administrative burdens and facilitate SME participation. He cautioned against introducing new obligations, especially related to environmental or technological preferences, advocating for technological neutrality and focusing on competitiveness, feasibility, and anti-corruption.

Shadow rapporteurs generally supported simplifying procedures and enhancing SME access but disagreed on embedding social and environmental goals. While MEPs from S&D, Greens/EFA, The Left, and Renew supported criteria and the use of procurement to strengthen strategic autonomy, other MEPs, including those from ECR and PfE, warned against over-politicising procurement.

Digital tools, flexible thresholds, local sourcing, and increased competition were highlighted as key areas for improvement. Some MEPs urged support for micro-enterprises and recognition of collective bargaining rights in procurement criteria. Concerns about exploitation, subcontractor chains, and favouritism in simplified procedures also surfaced.

Nathalie Berger (DG GROW, European Commission) confirmed that many of the concerns raised align with the Commission’s ongoing review of procurement rules. She stressed the need to reduce reliance on price-based awards, promote “digital-by-design” approaches, and reinforce the strategic value of procurement to support sustainability, innovation, and resilience.

The issue is highly important for SGI Europe, with its membership including contracting authorities and bidders. These different actors face very different challenges within the process of public procurement. As a result, they also judge the directives in diverging ways, ensuring that our position balances different perspectives on public procurement. You can consult our response to the first consultation on the topic here.

Contact: Maxime Staelens