Concept
History
The European Parliament of Enterprises™ (EPE) is the flagship event for European businesses, bringing the voices of entrepreneurs directly to the heart of EU decision-making in Brussels. As the largest event of its kind, the EPE offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to engage with policymakers and ensure that the concerns of the business community are heard and acted upon at the highest level.
Organised every two years by Eurochambres, in collaboration with the European Parliament, the EPE was first launched on 14 October 2008, coinciding with Eurochambres’ landmark 50th anniversary. Since then, it has become a pivotal event in the European business landscape.
The concept behind the EPE is simple yet powerful: bridging the democratic gap between European institutions and the real drivers of economic growth – entrepreneurs. It recognises that, too often, the voices of businesses go unheard in Brussels, and that European legislators need a clearer understanding of how their decisions impact the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The event offers an innovative, interactive platform where entrepreneurs have the opportunity to directly address the EU institutions, providing a simulation of a parliamentary session. This not only amplifies the role of businesses in shaping policy but also highlights the democratic essence of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which represent entrepreneurs across Europe.
The EPE recreates a parliamentary session and gives the floor to European entrepreneurs. This highlights the "economic democracy” of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry through their representation and their structure.
The European Parliament of Enterprises™ is not just an event; it is a vital mechanism for economic democracy—empowering businesses to influence the future of Europe, ensuring that policy decisions reflect the realities and aspirations of the entrepreneurial community.
Participants
The EPE mirrors the composition of the European Parliament, with an equal number of entrepreneurs to the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), following the same country-based distribution. In total, 720 entrepreneurs gather in the iconic Hemicycle of the European Parliament, representing a powerful cross-section of Europe's business community. Additionally, companies from non-EU countries also take part, further enriching the event with a global perspective.
Aims and objectives
The EPE is designed to bring entrepreneurs and EU institutions together for an impactful day of face-to-face dialogue, fostering a deeper understanding between the two.
It offers a unique opportunity for businesses to engage in direct discussions with high-level EU representatives, providing them with invaluable, bottom-up feedback on key EU policies that affect the entrepreneurial landscape.
Votes
During the EPE entrepreneurs also exercise their voting rights on major EU business-related issues. The results of the votes are presented by Eurochambres to the relevant political interlocutors from all the EU institutions as "the voice of European businesses”. The European Parliament of Enterprises™ is organised with an active cooperation of Eurochambres' Member organisations.
During the event, entrepreneurs also exercise their voting rights on crucial EU business-related issues, making their voices heard on decisions that directly impact their operations. The voting results are presented by Eurochambres to the relevant political leaders across all EU institutions, effectively amplifying the voice of European businesses in shaping future policies.