On 4 June 2025, the European Commission presented its 2025 European Semester Spring Package. The annual package offers country-specific guidance on economic and social policies. This year’s edition highlights research and innovation as pivotal drivers of competitiveness and sustainable growth across Member States. The recommendations build on the framework set by the Competitiveness Compass and the strategic insights of the Draghi report.
The Spring Package details persistent challenges in research and innovation that impede national growth and sustainability. It also provides recommendations on how research can overcome economic challenges. The reports reveal that all Member States are grappling with widespread research-related challenges, which include:
- Insufficient and unstable investment from both public and private sectors, hindering long-term research initiatives and innovation development.
- Structural barriers that prevent translating research excellence into scalable and disruptive innovations, which are essential for boosting productivity and competitiveness.
- Slow adoption and integration of digital technologies by businesses, leading to missed opportunities in digital transformation and efficiency gains.