It is an intangible reality. For several years now, companies have been evaluated by performance criteria that go far beyond the immediate scope of their activities and the sole annual turnover achieved. Presenting a balance sheet with only economic indicators is no longer possible: you have to present your societal and environmental results. So much the better, because it rehabilitates the political function of a company, a driving force in a territory and a decisive protagonist in leading changes capable of promoting the sustainability of development. Let’s not forget, however, that these commitments are also based on the company’s ability to deploy them. It must have the means, be continuously efficient economically, in order to be able to act to invest, innovate and transform in the medium term.
It is undoubtedly with this scheme in mind that Europe is now seeking to redefine its power, since the emergence of the Covid pandemic and a war on its doorstep. The European Union (EU) sets out to conquer new narratives and new strategic autonomy. Why not mobilize companies in this perspective by inventing a Europeanness indicator? Besides, isn’t it surprising that this has never been implemented? While they have been central to citizens, “working together” and the construction of the Union for more than half a century, companies do not display in their presentation or their balance sheet what they are doing for the ‘Europe.
However, they contribute – and perhaps much more than others – to the policies and programs of the EU, through their activities in the Member State where they operate, and sometimes even by being established in several Member States, choosing to develop there or to build alliances with partners. These companies are subject to the rules of the EU, they make them live in the community space but also on the international scene when the opportunity to go further than the only European theater arises. Let us recognize this influence because it also feeds the EU’s discourse on social justice and the fight against climate change.
An indicator to measure support for the EU
By complying with European values and standards, a company, whether Austrian, Italian, Swedish or French, participates in the construction of the EU and supports the expression of its identity. This has been true for a long time on the human level, it is increasingly strong on the environmental level and it is also massive on the economic level. Would the rise in living standards and security in the EU since the 1960s have been so vigorous without the existence of companies, large and small, which dot the territories, supply the markets, ensure incomes and make innumerable links between Europeans?
It is therefore high time to question the relevance of defining a European performance criterion for European companies. Are they in line with EU standards? Are they innovating in the priority sectors defined by the EU? Do they contribute to European sovereignties? Do these companies choose, first and foremost, a country or a European teammate when they grow and leave their national territory? How do these companies promote the training of young people in the skills that will be needed tomorrow and are they able to nurture and retain talent, thereby giving Europe every chance of succeeding in the face of to other powers?
Let’s go even further. The attractiveness of the EU is undeniable, several states are candidates for membership. A European Political Community (EPC), made up of the 27 Member States and 16 neighboring countries, was also launched in 2022 to try to anchor this vast geographical group on a series of common issues, and indirectly, a panoply of values. to cultivate. Companies have a role to play in these dynamics and a performance criterion on the Europeanness of private actors could prepare and catalyze future adhesions where others would be slowed down, even paralyzed, if the practices are at the antipodes of those required by the EU.
The next European elections will take place in fifteen months. Let’s see if candidates for Parliament take up such a subject by then. On the French side, with a President of the Republic so concerned about the future of Europe and its incarnations, wouldn’t we have a project to explore?