The Event

“SMEs and Cohesion Policy in the next MFF: Lessons Learnt and Future Priorities” is the next event organised by the Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with ANSA and the Belgian Agency as part of the project MEDIA4COHESION – “Media Partnerships for Promoting EU Cohesion Policy”.

The meeting will be an opportunity to explore the role of the Cohesion Policy of the European Union in strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs and in European territorial development, with particular attention to the prospects of the next financial programming and the framework of negotiations on MFF 2028-2034.

The discussion will allow for reflection on how the potential evolution of European policy can continue to support innovation, sustainable growth, industrial resilience, and the competitiveness of local production systems.

The representatives of the European Commission and the Italian and Belgian institutions will share with the public concrete perspectives and experiences on multi-level coordination between the European Union, member states and regions, on the opportunities offered by the upcoming multiannual financial framework and on possible synergies between Cohesion Policy, the European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe. 

The panel will include Paolo Casalino, Director General for Industrial Policy, Industrial Conversion and Crises, Innovation, SMEs and Made in Italy at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy; Reinout Van Hullebus, Economic & Trade Counsellor responsible for the European Institutions & International Organisations at hub.brussels; and Viorika Dishnica, Policy and Legal Officer at the European Commission (DG GROW).

The exchange between the speakers and the audience will continue during the networking reception offered by the Chamber at the conclusion of the event.

The Panel

​Paolo Casalino

Director General for Industrial Policy, Industrial Conversion and Crises, Innovation, SMEs and Made in Italy, Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy

​​Reinout Van Hullebus 

Economic & Trade Counsellor responsible for the European Institutions & International Organizations, hub.brussels

​Viorika Dishnica

Policy and Legal Officer, European Commission – Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (GROW)

The meeting will be moderated by Elena Moussanet, ANSA, and will be conducted in English.

The Agenda

18:15 – 18:30: Registrations

18:30 – 18:40: Introductory greetings, Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce, ANSA

18:40 – 19:30: Moderated debate (ANSA) and Q&A

19:30 – 20:00: Closing and Networking Reception