In this context, EU Industry Days 2025, which will take place on 5–6 June in Rzeszów, Poland, will be one of the first opportunities to translate this political agenda into a momentum for business, civil society, and regional actors. Registrations are now open, for what the Commission is promising to be a defining moment for European firms looking to position themselves ahead of Europe's economic transformation.
It is no coincidence that Rzeszów, a city in Poland’s industrial Podkarpackie region, not far from the border of potential EU member state Ukraine, was chosen as this year’s host. The setting underscores the growing importance of regional resilience faced with external threats. The event places industrial sovereignty, strategic value chains, and the Made in Europe brand at the forefront of Europe’s new industrial strategy.
A platform rooted in priorities
The agenda of the EU Industry Days 2025 is tightly aligned with the political priorities of returning Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for the next five years. Under the plans, set out in her “Europe’s Choice” manifesto, Europe must become more competitive, sustainable, and secure. Von der Leyen has emphasised the need for a “Clean Industrial Deal", renewed investment in innovation, and the creation of a European Prosperity Plan.
These ambitions are now being channelled into practical action, with Executive Vice-President-designate Stéphane Séjourné tasked with delivering a new industrial strategy that accelerates decarbonisation, strengthens the Single Market, and reduces strategic dependencies.
The EU Industry Days will give early visibility to European industrial leaders about how to channel these values into action. Topics such as clean technology leadership, industrial decarbonisation, critical raw materials, and support for SMEs will be the centrepoint of the two-day event. This year’s Industry Days will partner firms with industry experts, Commission figures and stakeholders for a packed schedule of agenda-setting events.
Where policy meets business
Beyond high-level plenaries and roundtables, the EU Industry Days offer participants direct access to EU tools, funding programmes, and decision-makers. This year’s event will include talks by Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, Chief Executive of the European Investment Fund, Marjut Falkstedt, EU Commission Executive Vice President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné, and others.
One of the most practical of this year’s schedule is the “Meet-the-Expert” corner, where SMEs and entrepreneurs can speak one-on-one with representatives of EU support mechanisms. This can help industrial partners navigate new legislation and find new opportunities under the Horizon Europe R&D instrument, Single Market Programme, and Net-Zero Industry Act, among others.
Participants to this free event, held under the auspices of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, will also have access to a dedicated matchmaking area powered by a digital B2B platform. Attending companies can network with other businesses, as well as researchers, and enthusiastic investors.
This year, particular focus is being placed on sectors central to Europe's green and strategic autonomy goals, such as aerospace, defence, biotech, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy.
31 exhibition stands gathered in a single, centrally located exhibition area will showcase EU-funded initiatives and strategic projects under frameworks such as the Critical Raw Materials Act. The space will highlight innovative Polish start-ups, scale-ups and research institutes, while also welcoming Ukrainian companies, an inclusion that reflects both the conference themes and Rzeszów’s proximity to the Ukrainian border.
Participants are encouraged to explore the stands to see how they can align their businesses with key EU legislation, meet prospective partners and draw inspiration for future growth.
An agenda for stakeholders and regions
The event will reflect the diversity of industrial voices across Europe. 19 stakeholder-led sessions will give room to industry leaders to share advice about best practices, research, and local challenges. Additionally, three Commission-led sessions will tease new policy proposals and proposals to boost the EU industrial community, together with two sessions led by the Polish Presidency and one by the Podkarpackie Region.
EU Industry Days 2025 also intends to give voice to the best of new European business talent. During the event, The Young European Entrepreneur Award will be presented, accompanied by a live pitching contest where finalists will present their ideas to a jury of European experts and an audience of industry leaders and SMEs.
Besides the already packed main agenda, several side events held by the Rzeszów region will complement the main programme, such as the European Startup Prize for Mobility Award Ceremony and the “Clusters Meet Regions” initiative.
At a time of renewed focus on Europe’s economic and industrial direction, EU Industry Days 2025 aims to align political priorities with market realities and business opportunities for companies across the EU’s 27 Member States, and partners.
Bringing together major industry representatives, emerging innovators and small businesses, the Commission wants to offer a concentrated setting where companies can form new strategies and future partnerships. What sets this edition apart is its focus on engagement over rhetoric: a programme built not only around discussion, but around access, visibility, and the potential for collaboration.
Registrations for this important event on the European business calendar close on 2 June just before midnight.
