The Competitiveness Coordination Tool

The competitiveness agenda has been put at the centre of the current European Commission (2024–2029). Promoting greater long-term competitiveness in the EU will require deeper integration and coordination across Member States.

As such, the Commission is proposing a Competitiveness Coordination Tool to “join forces to maximise impact” and ensure the implementation at EU and national levels of shared EU policy objectives.

The challenge is to enforce EU-level strategies and strategic priorities while acknowledging that Member States have priorities of their own that may not align perfectly within an EU-wide approach. Balancing the competencies of the EU as an institution with the needs of the EU as a bloc is no simple task, but increased coordination from the EU can help mitigate some of the shortfalls of uncoordinated policies.

This paper outlines what the Competitiveness Coordination Tool could look like if a multilevel governance process is adopted and synergies are created using existing tools and processes to ensure the best possible outcomes for industries, workers, the EU and its Member States.