Mario Draghi warned that without bold reforms, our continent risks irrelevance and recent events prove him right. Together with Renew Europe on 3rd of September, at the Anniversary of the Draghi Report, we’ll assess what’s been achieved, where Europe is falling short, and which reforms are necessary to keep Europe competitive.
Mario Draghi warned that without bold reforms, our continent risks irrelevance and recent events prove him right. Together with Renew Europe on 3rd of September, at the Anniversary of the Draghi Report, we’ll assess what’s been achieved, where Europe is falling short, and which reforms are necessary to keep Europe competitive.
1. Opening session (14:00–14:30)
· Welcome and introduction: Valérie Hayer, President of Renew Europe
· Presentation of the campaign and the event: João Cotrim de Figueiredo, VP Renew Europe for Economy and Digital Transformation
· Keynote speaker: Stephanie Lose, Minister for Economic Affairs, Denmark TBC
2. Exclusive Launch: The Draghi Observatory and Implementation Index (14:30–15:15) Dr Antonios Nestoras, Founding Director, EPIC; Constantinos Saravakos, Head of Research, Center for Liberal Studies
· Presentation of Methodology and Preliminary Results: This exclusive session will unveil the Draghi Observatory, an independent accountability mechanism for tracking the implementation of the Draghi Report. The Observatory is the first initiative of its kind to systematically monitor progress on the Draghi agenda, combining expert assessments with data analysis to evaluate reform efforts across key areas such as manufacturing, digital transformation, and energy. The session will present the methodology behind the Draghi Implementation Index and share the first set of findings, offering a data-driven snapshot of where the EU is advancing – and where momentum is lagging.
· Bonus Feature: Can AI Help Politicians? Only the Good Ones — Francesco Cappelletti (Vrije Universiteit Brussels) presents the A(I) Simplification Tool, an innovative instrument designed to support more effective and accessible policymaking.
· Expert Commentary: Dedicated first reaction from Alva Finn, Executive Director, European Liberal Forum followed by opening for questions from participants and audience (Discussion moderated by MEP de Figueiredo)
3. Unlocking growth: time to match words with deeds (15:15–16:15)
Are we serious about growth? Renew Europe MEPs will confront the gap between Draghi’s strategic vision and the EU’s current policy response. From scaling up investment in key sectors to completing the capital, energy and digital single markets, accelerating innovation and preserving the European social model, we will expose where progress is lagging, and what must change.
· Savings and Investment Union by Stéphanie Yon-Courtin, ECON coordinator: Renew Europe criticises the slow pace of the European Commission and the lack of ambition on capital markets. We urgently need the Commission to advance the Savings and Investment Union proposals and transform the European Securities and Markets Authority into an independent supervisor to reduce fragmentation and boost more cross-border investment. It is time to put the savings of Europeans at the service of European growth.
· Digital Single Market by Ivars Ijabs, Group VP: Robust digital infrastructure is essential to Europe’s connectivity and competitiveness. The forthcoming Digital Networks Act must serve as a cornerstone for accelerating the Digital Single Market. However, enforcement of digital legislation remains fragmented, with national regimes undermining the single
digital market. Inconsistent implementation of key frameworks like the GDPR and AI Act fuels legal uncertainty and compliance disparities. Renew Europe urges the creation of a true enforcement union to ensure coherent, cross-border application of digital rules—especially in critical areas like data and cloud governance.
· Energy sector by Anna Stürgkh, Rapporteur on electricity grids: Draghi first focus is on energy price. We still await ambitious action plan on grids and interconnection, the backbones of a genuine energy union that would take price down, first focus of the Draghi report. A strategy on flexibility and one cooling and heating are also still awaited
o Debate and Q&A with participants – Moderated by Jeanette Baljeu, MEP Renew Europe and Board Member of the European Liberal Forum Coffee Break (16:15-16:30)
4. Where Renew Europe is making the difference (16:30–17:30)
When others talk, Renew delivers. This panel will highlight how Renew Europe’s political DNA, i.e. decarbonisation as a driver of industrial growth, boosted investments, simplification and a deeper and fairer single market, is delivering results. From cutting red tape to launching a bold Competitiveness Fund and advancing the Clean Industrial Deal, we will showcase concrete wins where Renew Europe’s leadership is making Europe more competitive.
· Delivering on the Clean Industrial Deal by Brigitte van den Berg, ITRE and EMPL member: Renew Europe has championed a new industrial strategy where decarbonisation drives competitiveness. The Clean Industrial Deal marks a major step in this direction, offering value chain—from wide approach-from access to clean energy and raw materials to permitting and skills. For energy-intensive industries it aligns climate ambition with stable, competitive investment conditions. The Deal fosters innovation, prevents industrial leakage, and supports social cohesion in regions most affected by the transition.
· The competitiveness Fund by Christophe Grudler, ITRE Coordinator: The new Fund will invest in strategic technologies, to benefit the entire Single Market. Operating under one rulebook, and offering a single gateway to funding applicants, it will simplify and accelerate EU funding and catalyse private and public investment.
· Simplification agenda and single market strategy by Morten Løkkegaard, Group VP on simplification and enforcement: Renew Europe is at the forefront of simplification. Our Task Force on Enforcement and Simplification supported the Commission’s work and helped maintain momentum behind the Single Market Strategy and the rollout of omnibus packages. These aim to reduce red tape and modernise EU rules. We will continue pushing for concrete progress through targeted scrutiny, enhanced tools, and political pressure. Simplification has long been on the EU’s agenda—but this time, we are determined to move beyond rhetoric and deliver lasting, credible change.
o Debate and Q&A with participants – Moderated by Billy Kelleher, MEP, Renew Europe First Vice President
5. Closing keynote speech (17:30–18:00)
· Luis Garicano, Professor of Public Policy at the London School of Economics
· Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President of the Commission for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy
· Final wrap-up by João Cotrim de Figueiredo