Why “Made in Europe” Must Mean “Owned by Europe”

The European Union currently prioritises a shift toward strategic autonomy, aiming to boost local manufacturing and reduce reliance on third-party supply chains. While moving production back to the continent is a vital step, it is not enough on its own. To secure a long-term economic future, the EU must ensure that the value generated remains within our communities.

To address this, we are releasing a new joint position paper with CECOP and Cooperatives Europe with the support of REScoop.eu, and Euro Coop.

Cooperatives act as essential partners in this transition. Because they are collectively owned and democratically governed by their members, they embed sustainability and resilience into their core operations. Through mechanisms such as “asset-locks,” cooperatives guarantee that wealth created in Europe stays here, rather than being extracted by external shareholders, often located overseas.

The position paper details how the cooperative model delivers these benefits across eight key areas, ranging from social inclusion and quality job creation to human-centric innovation and environmental sustainability. It outlines how cooperatives inherently foster stronger, more stable supply chains and ensure that wealth is fairly distributed within the regions where it is created. By demonstrating this broad impact, the document shows that cooperatives are uniquely positioned to serve as the foundation for a resilient European economy.

Our position is anchored in five key recommendations. First, we call for the strategic importance of cooperatives, including energy communities, to be explicitly reflected in the “Made in EU” concept. Second, the revised EU Public Procurement rules should allow for additional points and improved access for market actors that retain value within the EU, setting the scene for a true “European preference”. Third, we advocate for an “Owned by EU” foundation, ensuring that economic activity serves communities rather than external shareholders. Fourth, we call for greater coherence and alignment among concepts such as “Made in EU”, “Designed in EU” and “Owned in Europe”, ensuring that they are interpreted according to shared principles. Finally, we urge policymakers to provide support measures and avoid unnecessary administrative burdens for SMEs, including cooperatives, to help offset potential cost increases linked to this transition.

The timing of this position is critical. As the European Commission prepares to release the proposal for the revised Public Procurement rules later this year, we have a unique opportunity to shape the “Made in EU” framework. We recommend that this concept integrate an “Owned by EU” foundation. By embedding a “European preference” into the Act, policymakers can reward enterprises that guarantee both production and value retention within the EU. Choosing European must mean investing in local, sustainable, and democratic production.

Download the position paper (PDF) (ENG)