What is Draghi Report?
The Draghi Report is a strategic document published by the European Commission that examines the future of European competitiveness in detail. The report was authored by Mario Draghi, former President of the European Central Bank (ECB) and former Prime Minister of Italy.
The document assesses the current state of the European economy and warns that the continent is falling behind global rivals, particularly the United States and China. At the same time, it outlines concrete recommendations and policy reforms designed to reverse this trend, stimulate economic growth, and reinforce Europe's standing in the global market.
Key Pillars and Recommendations
The report identifies several strategic areas that the European Union must prioritize over the coming years:
- Innovation and bridging the technological gap: The need to provide massive support for research, development, and digitalization. The main goals are to scale up startups, accelerate the deployment of cutting-edge technologies (such as artificial intelligence), and decrease the administrative burden on innovative companies.
- Linking decarbonization with competitiveness: The transition to a green economy must not jeopardize European industry. The document highlights the necessity of affordable, clean energy alongside targeted support for business emission reductions, transforming sustainability into a competitive advantage.
- Reducing strategic dependencies and enhancing security: Ensuring European self-sufficiency regarding critical raw materials and semiconductors, as well as strengthening the defense industry.
- Joint financing and massive investments: To meet these ambitious targets, the report estimates that additional investments of hundreds of billions of euros per year will be required, demanding deeper capital market integration and a more effective use of public budgets.
Significance for Businesses and the Public Sector
For the corporate sector, public institutions, and research organizations, the Draghi Report serves as a critical indicator. Its findings directly shape the EU's future economic policy and will exert a major influence on the structure of future grant programs.
European funding allocations in the coming years are expected to lean heavily toward projects aligned with the report's goals—specifically technological innovation, energy efficiency, industrial decarbonization, and supply chain resilience. Some of these priorities are already being addressed through tools such as the STEP platform.
