EESC opinion highlights the role of youth entrepreneurship in Europe's competitiveness
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
- Stronger Rural Areas
- Prosperous rural areas
- Youth
- Entrepreneurship
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has adopted a new opinion on EU Competitiveness and Youth Entrepreneurship, examining how entrepreneurship can contribute to Europe's competitiveness, innovation capacity and economic resilience. These themes will also feature in upcoming Rural Pact discussions on rural competitiveness and economic diversification.
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The opinion identifies youth entrepreneurship as a strategic tool for strengthening the EU economy while also helping address challenges such as generational succession in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It calls for a more holistic approach to supporting young entrepreneurs, combining access to finance with mentoring, business incubation, entrepreneurship training and skills development.
Accessing capital, administrative burdens and regulatory complexity are among the main barriers identified. The EESC recommends expanding financing opportunities beyond traditional bank lending, strengthening entrepreneurial education and financial literacy, and supporting networking initiatives that connect young entrepreneurs with peers, investors and experienced business leaders.
The opinion also highlights the importance of local and regional ecosystems in supporting entrepreneurship. It points to the value of programmes adapted to local conditions and calls for stronger networking opportunities, business support structures and governance arrangements that can help young entrepreneurs develop and grow their activities.
Forthcoming Rural Pact activities on rural competitiveness
Several of the topics addressed in the opinion, including access to finance, entrepreneurship support, skills development, business networks and local economic ecosystems, will also be explored through upcoming Rural Pact activities focused on rural competitiveness and economic diversification.
- On 17 September 2026, the Rural Pact Good Practice Webinar ‘Unlocking rural competitiveness: strengthening rural businesses for a more competitive Europe’ will explore initiatives supporting rural SMEs, entrepreneurship, local value creation and economic diversification, as well as opportunities linked to digitalisation and access to wider markets.
- On 29 September – 1 October 2026, the Policy Action Lab on ‘Strengthening a diversified rural economy in the post-2027 period’ will provide an opportunity to discuss the future policy framework supporting economic diversification and competitiveness in rural areas.