Background

European Crafts and SMEs are at the heart of Europe’s economy, culture and communities. They provide essential products and services, create employment, foster entrepreneurial spirit, and sustain the diversity that defines Europe. Over the coming decades, Crafts and SMEs will face profound transformations. Geopolitical tensions, technological disruption, climate change, demographic shifts, and evolving consumer behaviour are fundamentally reshaping the business landscape.

To navigate this rapidly evolving environment, SMEunited launched a process to develop the Vision 2040 by Crafts & SMEs. Along with SMEunited member organisations, SMEunited looked beyond immediate challenges and developed a forward-looking perspective on what society and economy might look like in 2040, and what role Crafts and SMEs would play in this future.

SMEunited partnered with Capful to guide them through this comprehensive scenario and vision development process.

What was done

Based on desk research and the identification of key influencing factors, SMEunited members developed via an interactive approach three distinct scenarios depicting alternative futures for Europe’s business landscape until 2040. They then analysed the implications of each scenario, identifying both challenges and opportunities. This iterative process helped identify the most desirable elements across scenarios, which were then summarised into an ambitious Vision 2040.

Outcomes

The Vision 2040 provides a framework for SMEunited’s engagement with the EU Institutions and other stakeholders to champion policies supporting small business success. The development of the scenarios and the resulting vision towards 2040 positions SMEunited to more effectively prepare for transformative changes with strategic clarity.

The Vision 2040 is underpinned by key actions that SMEunited and its stakeholder groups should take to realise this preferred future.

Want to read more about this project? Check: SME United Vision 2040

Interested to learn more?
Let’s get in touch!

Shiyu Miao
Managing Consultant
+358 44 552 4477
shiyu.miao@capful.fi