The Federation for Innovation and Sustainable Competitiveness in SMEs (FICSIMM)

EU Legislative Interests

- European Parliament Resolution on the European Green Deal; - Directive (EU) 2023/1791 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 on energy efficiency and amending Regulation (EU)2023/955; - the European Pillar of Social Rights; - SMEs Relief Package; - SME Strategy for a sustainable and digital Europe; - AI innovation package to support ArtificialIntelligence startups and SMEs; - Pay Transparency Directive; - Directive on improving the gender balance among directors of listed companies and related measures; - Net Zero Industry Act; - Cohesion Policy; - Common Agricultural Policy; - Affordable Energy Action Plan; - Clean Industrial Deal; - the Omnibus packages.

Communication Activities

The Federation for Innovation and Sustainable Competitiveness in SMEs (FICSIMM) has built a coherent communication framework to promote EU policies such as the Cohesion Policy, Green Deal, SME Strategy, Industrial Strategy and the European Pillar of Social Rights. These actions target SMEs, public authorities, academia, business associations and civil society at both national and European levels. 1. Events and dialogues: FICSIMM organizes thematic events - forums, roundtables, and conferences - translating EU strategies into SME-relevant guidance. Key themes include sustainable industrial transition, green SME financing and digital competitiveness. A flagship event will be “Sustainable Future through Women’s Leadership” (Sibiu, June 2025), with panels on EU instruments and SME alignment with the Green Deal. 2. Campaigns and advocacy: FICSIMM runs targeted campaigns supporting cohesion objectives, green entrepreneurship and improved SME access to EU funds. Ongoing advocacy involves policy dialogues with DG GROW, DG REGIO, SG REFORM, DG EMPL and MEPs. Key messages are shared via policy briefs, position letters and social media. 3. Publications: To strengthen SME representation in EU policymaking, FICSIMM drafts and circulates position papers and analysis on policies such as the post-2027 Cohesion Policy, Clean Industrial Deal and the Omnibus packages. These are submitted during public consultations and promoted within Brussels-based working groups. 4. Digital outreach and press: FICSIMM maintains an active online presence through its website and affiliated media. It publishes news, policy updates and case studies showcasing SME contributions to green and digital transitions. Informational content explains key mechanisms like Just Transition, REPowerEU and InvestEU. 5. Strategic partnerships: Through cross-border collaborations - such as with CONFAPI and CONFLAVORO (Italy) -, FICSIMM boosts communication efforts around energy efficiency, SME resilience and innovation. These partnerships allow mutual dissemination of EU priorities and reinforce SME roles in shaping a sustainable European economy. 6. Education and awareness: FICSIMM supports SME communities with webinars, guides and info sessions on topics like state aid, EU taxonomy and procurement rules. Special focus is given to women-led SMEs and businesses in less-developed regions, reflecting the EU’s social inclusion goals. 7. EU consultations: FICSIMM participates in EU consultations and expert groups, ensuring SME perspectives are heard. It communicates local challenges while also informing members about evolving EU legislation and funding tools. By integrating a wide array of communication instruments - including public events, thematic conferences, digital platforms, targeted advocacy efforts and strategic partnerships -, FICSIMM plays a key role in ensuring that complex EU policy messages are not only communicated effectively but also translated into practical and actionable information tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Through this comprehensive and multi-layered approach, EU priorities such as sustainability, innovation, cohesion and digital transformation become more understandable and directly relevant to SME ecosystems. FICSIMM’s efforts ensure clarity, increase public awareness and foster meaningful engagement among entrepreneurs, while also promoting dialogue with institutions. These communication activities reinforce core European values such as transparency, participation and inclusiveness, and actively support the integration of SMEs into the EU’s long-term objectives. In doing so, FICSIMM empowers SMEs to become active contributors to a more competitive, equitable, resilient and environmentally sustainable European economy.

Interests Represented

Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members

Member Of

- The CONCORDIA employers' confederation (the most important one in Romania - https://concordia.ro/en/), which is a member of Business Europe.

Organisation Members

As an employers' organization established according to the Romanian law for social dialogue, our members are private companies - SMEs. At present, we count over 1.200 SMEs as members (with approximately 29,000 employees), from 32 counties in Romania (out of the 42 counties). Over 50% of our member companies are owned and/or managed by women entrepreneurs.