# State of the Union 2025 Canonical URL: https://digital-acquis.eu/strategy/state-of-the-union-2025 Entry type: strategy Source edition current through: 17 July 2026 (2026-07-17). This is not a page modification date. Status: not recorded. A delivered initiative is not necessarily legislation in force. Document type: Policy Plan (Commission) Release date: 2025-09-10 ## Summary The address connects European competitiveness and technological sovereignty with simpler business rules, stronger investment and faster development of digital and clean technologies. It outlines work on startup finance, the 28th regime and the Single Market, alongside AI infrastructure, quantum technology, circular production and industrial acceleration. Energy measures focus on grids and infrastructure bottlenecks. The address also proposes support for independent journalism and media literacy, and expert advice on protecting children online. Institutional cooperation and changes to EU decision-making are presented as further elements of the reform agenda. ## Sources - [Official source]() ## Action items (7; complete published list) ### 1. Action item 90001 Our proposals will cut EUR 8 billion a year of bureaucratic costs for European companies. A digital Euro for example will make it easier for companies and consumers alike. And further omnibuses are on their way – for example on military mobility or digital. For innovative companies, we are preparing the so-called 28th regime and speeding up the work on the Savings and Investments Union. Because we have many high potential startups in key technologies like quantum, AI or biotech. As they grow, the limited availability of risk capital forces them to turn to foreign investors. This is wealth and jobs going elsewhere. And it jeopardises our tech sovereignty. This is why the Commission will partner with private investors on a multi-billion-euro Scaleup Europe Fund. It will help make major investments in young, fast-growing companies in critical tech areas. Because we want the best of Europe to Choose Europe. We need clear political deadlines. This is why we will present a Single Market Roadmap to 2028. On capital, services, energy, telecoms, the 28th regime and the fifth freedom for knowledge and innovation. Only what gets measured, gets done. Provenance: source document doc-008, paragraph 1. Digital dimension: not recorded. ### 2. Action item 90003 This will also support our investment in the technologies that will fuel our economy. Clean and digital. Take artificial intelligence. A European AI is essential for our future independence. It will help power our industries and our societies. From healthcare to defence. So – we will focus on the first key building blocks – that's from the Cloud and AI Development Act to the Quantum Sandbox. We are massively investing in European AI Gigafactories. They support our innovative start-ups to develop, train, and deploy their next-generation AI models. When we called on the private sector to join forces with us, the response was overwhelming. And later today I will meet CEOs from some of the largest European tech champions. They will hand over their European AI & Tech Declaration. This is their commitment to invest in Europe's tech sovereignty. And we must also take the same approach on clean tech – from steel to batteries. Europe's clean tech sector must stay in Europe – and we have to take urgent action. Provenance: source document doc-008, paragraph 3. Digital dimension: not recorded. ### 3. Action item 90005 I am convinced: the future of clean tech will continue to be made in Europe. But for that, we also need to make sure that our industry has the materials here in Europe. And the only answer here is creating a truly circular economy. So we need to move faster on the Circular Economy Act. And move ahead in those sectors that are ready. Finally, we need to keep up the speed. So the Commission will propose an Industrial Accelerator Act for key strategic sectors and technologies. In sum, when it comes to digital and clean tech: faster, smarter and more European. Provenance: source document doc-008, paragraph 5. Digital dimension: not recorded. ### 4. Action item 90007 This is why we will propose a new Grids Package to strengthen our grid infrastructure and speed up permitting. And to go with that, I am presenting today a new initiative called Energy Highways. We have identified eight critical bottlenecks in our energy infrastructure. From the Øresund Strait to the Sicilian Canal. We will now work to remove these bottlenecks one by one. We will bring governments and utilities together, to address all outstanding issues. Because Europeans need affordable energy right now. Provenance: source document doc-008, paragraph 7. Digital dimension: not recorded. ### 5. Action item 90009 In some communities across Europe, traditional media are struggling. In many rural areas, the days of going out for a local paper is a nostalgic memory. This has created many news deserts where disinformation thrives. And this is very dangerous for our democracy. Because informed citizens who can trust what they read and hear are essential to keep those-in-power accountable. And when independent media are dismantled or neutralised, our ability to monitor corruption and preserve democracy is severely weakened. This is why the first step in an autocrat's playbook is always to capture independent media. Because this enables backsliding and corruption to happen in the dark. So we need to do more to protect our media and independent press. This is why we will launch a new Media Resilience Programme – it will support independent journalism and media literacy. But we also need to invest to address some of the root causes of this trend. This is why in the next budget, we have proposed to significantly boost funding for media. We also need to enable private equity. We will therefore use our tools to support independent and local media. A free press is the backbone of any democracy. And we will support Europe's press to remain free. Provenance: source document doc-008, paragraph 9. Digital dimension: not recorded. ### 6. Action item 90011 Online bullying. Adult content. Promoting self-harm. And algorithms that prey on children's vulnerabilities with the explicit purpose of creating addictions. Too often mums and dads feel powerless and helpless. That they are drowning against the tsunami of Big Tech flooding their family homes. I strongly believe that parents, not algorithms, should be raising our children. Their voice must be heard. This is why today I am here to tell you that I am listening. Just as in my days – we as a society – taught our children that they could not smoke, drink and watch adult content until a certain age. I believe it is time we consider doing the same for social media. Our friends in Australia are pioneering a social media restriction. I am watching the implementation of their policy closely to see what next steps we can take here in Europe. I will commission a panel of experts to advise me by the end of this year on the best approach for Europe. We will approach this carefully and listen to everyone. And in all of this work we will be guided by the need to empower parents and build a safer Europe for our children. Because when it comes to our kids' safety online, Europe believes in parents, not profits. Provenance: source document doc-008, paragraph 11. Digital dimension: not recorded. ### 7. Action item 90013 I am working on legislative packages to empower this pro-European majority. And I am so delighted, dear Roberta, that we have managed to renew the Framework Agreement between the Commission and Parliament. This will only strengthen our cooperation. And it will be an enabler for us to work on the real reforms that are needed. Because I support the right of initiative of the European Parliament. And I believe that we need to move to qualified majority in some areas, for example in foreign policy. It is time to break free from the shackles of unanimity. Provenance: source document doc-008, paragraph 13. Digital dimension: not recorded. ## Referenced entries - [Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA)]() — status: in progress. This law will close Europe’s compute gap by tripling data-centre capacity within 5–7 years and meeting economy-wide needs by 2035, underpinning AI development and sovereign cloud services. It will harmonise cloud policy, set minimum criteria (including for a narrow set of highly critical use cases run on highly secure EU-based cloud), and streamline permitting, site designation and access to energy/water, ensuring geographically balanced rollout. The Act will spur R&I in resource-efficient data centres, enable targeted support consistent with State-aid rules, and complement AI Factories/Gigafactories and the Chips Act ecosystem. Source document doc-008, action item 90003: > This will also support our investment in the technologies that will fuel our economy. Clean and digital. Take artificial intelligence. A European AI is essential for our future independence. It will help power our industries and our societies. From healthcare to defence. So – we will focus on the first key building blocks – that's from the Cloud and AI Development Act to the Quantum Sandbox. We are massively investing in European AI Gigafactories. They support our innovative start-ups to develop, train, and deploy their next-generation AI models. When we called on the private sector to join forces with us, the response was overwhelming. And later today I will meet CEOs from some of the largest European tech champions. They will hand over their European AI & Tech Declaration. This is their commitment to invest in Europe's tech sovereignty. And we must also take the same approach on clean tech – from steel to batteries. Europe's clean tech sector must stay in Europe – and we have to take urgent action. - [AI Gigafactories]() — status: forthcoming. AI Gigafactories will give Europe frontier-scale compute to train state-of-the-art models. Each site will exceed 100,000 high-performance processors, be designed for energy and water efficiency and circularity, and be federated with EuroHPC’s AI Factories. Financing will blend public-private partnerships with the InvestAI Facility and an official EuroHPC call in Q4 2025. Facilities will co-locate data, training, safety and evaluation capabilities; provide shared access for startups, researchers and the public sector; and anchor regional skills pipelines. As a pilot for the Competitiveness Coordination Tool, they will crowd-in private capital, spur EU AI-chip design ahead of the 2026 Chips Act review, and secure sovereign AI capacity. Source document doc-008, action item 90003: > This will also support our investment in the technologies that will fuel our economy. Clean and digital. Take artificial intelligence. A European AI is essential for our future independence. It will help power our industries and our societies. From healthcare to defence. So – we will focus on the first key building blocks – that's from the Cloud and AI Development Act to the Quantum Sandbox. We are massively investing in European AI Gigafactories. They support our innovative start-ups to develop, train, and deploy their next-generation AI models. When we called on the private sector to join forces with us, the response was overwhelming. And later today I will meet CEOs from some of the largest European tech champions. They will hand over their European AI & Tech Declaration. This is their commitment to invest in Europe's tech sovereignty. And we must also take the same approach on clean tech – from steel to batteries. Europe's clean tech sector must stay in Europe – and we have to take urgent action. - [Industrial Accelerator Act]() — status: in progress. This Act will accelerate industrial decarbonisation by clearing permitting bottlenecks, strengthening clean-product demand and de-risking investment. It streamlines access to energy and infrastructure (i.e. building on NZIA, TEN-E and the emergency permitting toolbox) through acceleration areas, one-stop shops and, where allowed, tacit approvals, while maintaining environmental safeguards. It introduces resilience and sustainability criteria (clean, circular, cybersecure) across EU/national programmes and procurement, and pilots a simple carbon-intensity label—starting with steel in 2025, followed by cement—to unlock targeted incentives and enable international alignment. Coupled with the Clean Industrial Deal and related affordability measures, it aims to lower costs, shorten lead times and scale EU clean manufacturing, with a legislative proposal. Source document doc-008, action item 90005: > I am convinced: the future of clean tech will continue to be made in Europe. But for that, we also need to make sure that our industry has the materials here in Europe. And the only answer here is creating a truly circular economy. So we need to move faster on the Circular Economy Act. And move ahead in those sectors that are ready. Finally, we need to keep up the speed. So the Commission will propose an Industrial Accelerator Act for key strategic sectors and technologies. In sum, when it comes to digital and clean tech: faster, smarter and more European. - [Savings and Investments Union (SIU)]() — status: in progress. The Savings and Investments Union programme seeks to increase retail participation, channel savings into productive investment and strengthen EU capital markets. It includes a blueprint and tax recommendation for savings and investment accounts, a financial-literacy strategy, pension measures and measures on institutional equity investment. Further work covers venture and growth capital, cross-border investment barriers, trading and post-trading rules, supervision, banking integration and a mid-term review. Source document doc-008, action item 90001: > Our proposals will cut EUR 8 billion a year of bureaucratic costs for European companies. A digital Euro for example will make it easier for companies and consumers alike. And further omnibuses are on their way – for example on military mobility or digital. For innovative companies, we are preparing the so-called 28th regime and speeding up the work on the Savings and Investments Union. Because we have many high potential startups in key technologies like quantum, AI or biotech. As they grow, the limited availability of risk capital forces them to turn to foreign investors. This is wealth and jobs going elsewhere. And it jeopardises our tech sovereignty. This is why the Commission will partner with private investors on a multi-billion-euro Scaleup Europe Fund. It will help make major investments in young, fast-growing companies in critical tech areas. Because we want the best of Europe to Choose Europe. We need clear political deadlines. This is why we will present a Single Market Roadmap to 2028. On capital, services, energy, telecoms, the 28th regime and the fifth freedom for knowledge and innovation. Only what gets measured, gets done. - [Scaleup Europe Fund]() — status: not recorded. A market-based, privately managed vehicle deployed via the EIC Fund to bridge Europe’s late-stage equity gap for deep-tech scaleups. It will mobilise substantial private capital and make direct equity investments in strategic sectors (i.e. AI, quantum, advanced semiconductors, biotech, clean tech, defence and space) reinforcing technological sovereignty and economic security. Operating without prejudice to the next MFF, the Fund will coordinate closely with InvestEU and complement the European Tech Champions Initiative (including ETCI 2.0), alongside EIB Group instruments. By tackling fragmented capital markets and financing needs with ticket sizes above €100 million, it will help Europe retain and scale its most promising companies. Source document doc-008, action item 90001: > Our proposals will cut EUR 8 billion a year of bureaucratic costs for European companies. A digital Euro for example will make it easier for companies and consumers alike. And further omnibuses are on their way – for example on military mobility or digital. For innovative companies, we are preparing the so-called 28th regime and speeding up the work on the Savings and Investments Union. Because we have many high potential startups in key technologies like quantum, AI or biotech. As they grow, the limited availability of risk capital forces them to turn to foreign investors. This is wealth and jobs going elsewhere. And it jeopardises our tech sovereignty. This is why the Commission will partner with private investors on a multi-billion-euro Scaleup Europe Fund. It will help make major investments in young, fast-growing companies in critical tech areas. Because we want the best of Europe to Choose Europe. We need clear political deadlines. This is why we will present a Single Market Roadmap to 2028. On capital, services, energy, telecoms, the 28th regime and the fifth freedom for knowledge and innovation. Only what gets measured, gets done. - [Circular Economy Act (CEA)]() — status: forthcoming. The Act will create a true Single Market for waste and secondary raw materials, boosting supply and demand for quality recyclates at competitive prices. It will harmonise end-of-waste criteria, simplify and expand extended producer responsibility (including a one-stop producer registry), and revise e-waste rules to recover critical materials, while aligning with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products framework. Public procurement criteria, incentives for scrap use, and digitalised demolition permits will accelerate circular design and recycling. Strong enforcement—including for e-commerce channels—will ensure compliance. Source document doc-008, action item 90005: > I am convinced: the future of clean tech will continue to be made in Europe. But for that, we also need to make sure that our industry has the materials here in Europe. And the only answer here is creating a truly circular economy. So we need to move faster on the Circular Economy Act. And move ahead in those sectors that are ready. Finally, we need to keep up the speed. So the Commission will propose an Industrial Accelerator Act for key strategic sectors and technologies. In sum, when it comes to digital and clean tech: faster, smarter and more European. - [EU Inc. – 28th Regime]() — status: in progress. It will create an optional, EU-wide corporate framework—digital by default—to let innovative firms set up, operate, and raise capital seamlessly across borders. The proposal may rely on TFEU Article 352 or a harmonised national form via Articles 50/114, with a progressive, modular design. It targets 48-hour incorporation and “once-only” data sharing via BRIS, EUID, and an EU Company Certificate, leveraging the European Business Wallet. Investment-friendly options under consideration include simpler capital increases, flexible share classes, and standard private-equity terms. Complementing the European Innovation Act, it cuts failure costs, fragmentation, and compliance burdens. Source document doc-008, action item 90001: > Our proposals will cut EUR 8 billion a year of bureaucratic costs for European companies. A digital Euro for example will make it easier for companies and consumers alike. And further omnibuses are on their way – for example on military mobility or digital. For innovative companies, we are preparing the so-called 28th regime and speeding up the work on the Savings and Investments Union. Because we have many high potential startups in key technologies like quantum, AI or biotech. As they grow, the limited availability of risk capital forces them to turn to foreign investors. This is wealth and jobs going elsewhere. And it jeopardises our tech sovereignty. This is why the Commission will partner with private investors on a multi-billion-euro Scaleup Europe Fund. It will help make major investments in young, fast-growing companies in critical tech areas. Because we want the best of Europe to Choose Europe. We need clear political deadlines. This is why we will present a Single Market Roadmap to 2028. On capital, services, energy, telecoms, the 28th regime and the fifth freedom for knowledge and innovation. Only what gets measured, gets done. ## Current developments Latest updates from Digital Policy Alert and Global Trade Alert. No reviewed developments available; this does not establish that no developments exist. --- [Reading guide and interpretation notes]() · [Methodology]()