The event is an annual opportunity to align priorities, discuss challenges, and strengthen collaboration across Europe’s manufacturing ecosystem. After a year working with EFFRA on various communications activities, it was an honour for Insight to have our EFFRA publication distributed to all delegates and to see our infographic timeline lit up in lights to help tell the EFFRA story. Here we reflect on the opening session, which introduced EFFRA’s priorities over the year ahead.
The 2025 EFFRA General Assembly opened today in the heart of Brussels at the Sparks Meeting venue, marking a shift towards a more dynamic and engaged approach for the association. Against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving industrial landscape, the event served as both a moment of reflection and a platform for shaping the future of European manufacturing.
This year’s gathering carried particular significance, as it came at a time of renewed focus by the EU and all European governments on industrial competitiveness, sustainability, and economic resilience in the face of fast-moving geopolitical shifts across the world.
Opening the event, EFFRA’s leadership acknowledged the importance of adapting to change while staying true to its core mission: fostering European industrial excellence. As EFFRA Executive Director Željko Pazin highlighted in his opening remarks, this assembly was not just about reviewing past successes but about positioning EFFRA for the future – ensuring it remains a key player in shaping manufacturing policy and innovation.
Aligning with Europe’s industrial strategy
The opening plenary session reflected key outcomes from recent European policy summits, underscoring a renewed emphasis on industrial competitiveness and the green transition. EFFRA Chairman Olaf Pannenbäcker outlined several of the major developments discussed at these summits that will impact on European industry, including:
- The introduction of a Clean Industrial Deal to enhance production capabilities and competitiveness.
- The continued push towards Green Deal objectives, with a focus on hydrogen, critical raw materials, and energy efficiency.
- Ongoing challenges such as high energy costs and the need for greater economic stability.
- The launch of three new industrial partnerships, backed by €250 million in funding, to drive industrial growth and innovation.
These policy shifts, he remarked, reaffirmed a clear direction: Europe must reinforce its manufacturing base, close investment gaps, and ensure it remains an attractive destination for industrial development. He stressed the importance of aligning industrial policy with social and economic goals – bringing Europe back as a thriving, investment-friendly region that protects jobs and promotes skills development.
EFFRA’s role in this evolving landscape
As industry navigates these changes, EFFRA’s priorities remain firmly rooted in fostering competitiveness and innovation. Željko Pazin emphasised that the association’s roadmap aligns with many of the EU’s policy goals, from reducing dependencies to strengthening industrial partnerships. However, he also noted the importance of remaining agile, ensuring that EFFRA continues to focus on the most pressing challenges facing the sector. He listed some the key focus areas for EFFRA moving forward:
- Boosting industrial competitiveness within the single market
- Simplifying access to EU funding and fostering a more investment-friendly environment
- Addressing skills and labour shortages by championing skills development.
- Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and industrial sector action plans
- Aligning decarbonisation efforts with economic growth to ensure a balanced transition
The last 12 months have demonstrated EFFRA’s impact across multiple fronts, from expanding its network to publishing critical insights and engaging policymakers. As industry faces growing pressures, EFFRA stands ready to advocate for policies that support innovation, investment, and industrial transformation.
Looking ahead
This year’s General Assembly set the stage for deeper discussions on how EFFRA and its members can drive meaningful change. With industrial policy at a turning point, Europe has a window of opportunity to reinforce its manufacturing base, enhance its global competitiveness, and transition towards a greener, more resilient economy.
As the assembly moved into its working sessions, one message was clear: EFFRA will continue to be a driving force behind Europe’s industrial future, ensuring that innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability remain at the core of manufacturing policy.
The meeting then moved on to a fascinating discussion about whether EFFRA should adopt a more sector-specific focus for its funding calls, and whether such a dedicated aim should focus specifically on defence. As the audience debated these issues with lively differences of opinion, it became clear that this dedicated community of researchers and industry players is ready for the challenges ahead and determined to ensure EFFRA achieves its ongoing aims to support manufacturing in the reindustrialisation of Europe.