[Digest] SMEs in Critical Technologies: Enhancing Competitiveness Through Cohesion Policy Funds

The presentation of the study SMEs in Critical Technologies: Enhancing Competitiveness Through Cohesion Policy Funds took place on Thursday, 1 October 2026. The authors outlined how EU Cohesion Policy contributes to strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs operating in critical technology sectors. The authors offered concrete policy recommendations to enhance the Cohesion Policy 2028-2034 framework. More specifically, the presentation focused on the following topics:

• Definition of critical technologies and the role of SMEs

• Structural barriers of SMEs operating in critical technologies

• Effect of Cohesion Policy support for SMEs in critical technologies

• Policy recommendations for the 2028-2034 Cohesion Policy framework

The presentation was followed by questions from the Members and a stimulating debate, including on the support for less developed and northern sparsely populated regions, the effectiveness of smart specialisation strategies, and the scale-up and commercialisation gap.