Joint Statement: Vital conditions to support businesses towards a stronger, fairer and more sustainable economy

Public finance is a critical driver in the transition of our economies towards quality jobs, decarbonisation, circularity, and addressing widespread calls for more investment, innovation, and productivity.

However, without harmonised social and environmental standards across EU Member States, businesses can exploit gaps through “subsidy-shopping.” This disrupts fair competition, raises industrial policy costs, and often leaves smaller economies disadvantaged, widening regional inequalities.

To address this, RREUSE and co-signatories call on EU policymakers to link public funding to robust social and environmental criteria for a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient European economy.