EU efforts to reindustrialise

On 25 February, the European Commission is to propose an Industrial Accelerator Act, an act of accelerating industry. This is another EU initiative, alongside deregulation omnibuses, a state aid framework aimed at the clean manufacture pact or proposals contained in the draft multi-annual budget, emphasising reindustrialisation. These actions are essential to strengthen Europe's competitiveness against the background of planet powers.

– The main precedence of the European institutions this year, and most likely the next year, is the multiannual budget of the European Union. It is different from national budgets due to the fact that it does not have a deficit. As much as we agree as associate States to rise money, we can spend so much. That's why it's so crucial that this budget is focused on the most crucial issues today. – says Newseria Witold Naturski, manager of the European Parliament Office in Poland.

The European Commission presented a draft long-term budget for the period 2028-2034 in July 2025. Its pool is expected to include nearly EUR 2 trillion, which will strengthen sovereignty, boost competitiveness and increase Europe's resilience. According to the EC proposal, EUR 409 billion is intended to fund the European Competitiveness Fund. This amount besides includes Horizon Europe with a value of EUR 175 billion to fund world-class innovation.

One way to strengthen the competitiveness of the European economy is to be the Clean Industrial Deal. According to its assumption, decarbonisation is to be the driving force behind production in Europe. The Commission emphasises that this is to be achieved thanks, inter alia, to lower energy prices, fresh jobs and creating the right conditions for the improvement of EU companies. Access to critical natural materials and the adoption of the Circular Economy Act are besides crucial. This is to be adopted in 2026.

– The European Commission is planning fresh initiatives to take care of the interests of European industry. This besides has to do with the concept of supporting alleged local content, namely ensuring that European companies have a preference for access to public procurement, for example. This is an open subject, it inactive needs time and discussion, but the European Commission is determined here - emphasises Dr. Katarzyna Smyk, manager of the European Commission Representation in Poland.

On 25 February this year, the European Commission is to present a fresh Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), an act of accelerating industry. It's part of the Clean Industrial Deal mentioned. It will support European companies through 4 pillars. The first is the "made in Europe", namely the request that any of the products purchased in public procurement or subsidised subsidies be produced in the EU. The second pillar is conditional on abroad investment. The criterion is to include technology transfer, local employment or investigation in the Union. The 3rd pillar has to do with speeding up the authorisation of corporate investment projects. It will include not only shortening deadlines for national administrations but besides the work to digitise the full process. The last pillar is the designation by associate States of circumstantial acceleration areas that can bring tangible benefits to industry, e.g. in the form of access to critical natural materials.

– The reindustrialisation of the European Union has been at the attention of everyone, including, of course, politicians and MEPs, for a good fewer years. No uncertainty it is necessary, there is no request to convince anyone of the hard times we live in erstwhile it comes to manufacture and natural materials essential for production. The European Parliament, as a majority, notes these problems. Members want certain political directions set out five, 10 or 15 years ago, concerning the environment and industry, to be adapted to the present times. Members make this clear and the Commission and the Council take these votes into account – says Witold Naturski.

– The problem is that the European Union has much higher energy prices than another economical powers. This is due to many factors, among others, that we gotta import natural materials and do not have our own resources, but we are besides undergoing an energy-climate transformation. So we talk a lot about this and we effort to do things to lower prices both in the long and short term. This is what manufacture needs. – emphasizes Dr. Katarzyna Smyk. – Geostrategic pressure, relations with European economical partners are challenging. We request to do our homework, put on another run and discuss how to improve competitiveness in Europe, how to accelerate economical growth and guarantee the well-being of citizens.

In order to improve competitiveness, the EU institutions have been working for over a year to simplify regulations. In a message of 13 February 2026, Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis stressed that the implementation of the simplification programme was unprecedented. 10 Omnibus proposals have already been adopted, which are expected to save at least EUR 15 billion per year.

– Improving competitiveness can always be achieved through better legislation. This means simplifying regulations, eliminating regulations that are obsolete or failing to work. It's besides a cut of the alleged red tape, or red tape. The Commission seeks to identify those places where government prevents European entrepreneurs from doing business and the European Parliament, as legislator, modifies these rules, introduces new, simpler ones to replace old, little applied – explains the head of the EP Office in Poland.

The developed omnibuses include sustainable development, simplification of investment, common agricultural policy, chemicals, digital technologies, environmental protection, automotive manufacture and food.

– Without competitiveness, the European Union, even as a whole, will not improve its position in the world. She cannot dominate labour rights, how we treat all those who build the economy. We are not a country or a community of countries where profit is crucial at all costs, and the main thing here is that Europeans should live well and better. – says Witold Naturski.

EU initiatives aimed at reindustrialisation were discussed during the debate "Poland 2026th Horizon of Change" organised by the European Commission, the European Parliament and Newseria Information Agency.