24 June 2025, ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics & Management
On 24 June, the Institute of Public Policy – Lisbon (IPP) welcomed policymakers, researchers, and public policy experts from across Europe to a closed-door workshop under the theme “Simplify to Compete: Rethinking EU Regulation for a Digital Future.” Organised in collaboration with the PromethEUs network and with the support of Google, the event took place at ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics & Management and marked an important step in advancing the debate on how regulatory frameworks can help—or hinder—Europe’s ability to compete in the digital age.
This workshop is part of a broader cycle of PromethEUs policy dialogues, and precedes the formal launch of the associated policy report, to be presented at the European Parliament in Brussels on 2 July.
Why Regulatory Simplification Matters
The workshop centred on a growing concern: is the European Union’s complex and fragmented regulatory environment limiting its capacity to respond to global technological and economic challenges?
Simplification is increasingly seen not just as a matter of administrative efficiency, but as a condition for investment, innovation, and digital sovereignty. Opening remarks from IPP and ISEG highlighted two pressing questions:
- How can EU regulation be made more coherent and supportive of digital transformation?
- What practical tools—legal, political, institutional—can reduce fragmentation and increase impact?
Four Pillars for Reform
The first part of the event was dedicated to presenting the draft policy report developed by PromethEUs members. It focuses on four areas:
1. Simplifying EU Digital Regulation
Stefano da Empoli (I-Com, Italy) stressed that simplification should not be confused with deregulation. Instead, what is needed is clarity, consistency, and regulatory interoperability across Member States. He also warned of the risks of disproportionate regulatory burdens, especially for growing companies.
2. Learning from Portugal’s SIMPLEX Programme
Steffen Hoernig (IPP and Nova SBE, Portugal) drew lessons from Portugal’s long-running administrative modernisation effort, SIMPLEX. He highlighted five guiding principles for effective reform: don’t digitalise existing complexity, align legal changes with infrastructure, engage stakeholders from the start, ensure adaptability, and evaluate impact. SIMPLEX was praised for its continuity across governments and its pragmatic, user-centred approach.
3. Artificial Intelligence and Europe’s Competitiveness
Darío García de Viedma (Royal Elcano Institute, Spain) outlined the EU’s multi-layered AI strategy—from legislation to coordination and investment. He pointed to regional imbalances in funding, particularly in Southern Europe, and called for better alignment between public R&D efforts and private investment to scale up innovation.
4. Industrial Policy for Strategic Technologies
Aggelos Tsakanikas (LIEE, Greece) explored the role of EU policy in advancing semiconductor and quantum technology leadership. He noted persistent challenges—including supply chain dependencies and talent shortages—and called for more coherence between innovation, industrial, and green transition strategies.
Roundtable: Obstacles and Opportunities
The second part of the workshop featured a roundtable discussion, allowing participants to share experiences and challenges under Chatham House Rule. Topics ranged from the difficulty of translating EU-level simplification initiatives into meaningful outcomes, to the growing digital divide between more and less advanced regions.
Portugal’s SIMPLEX was frequently cited as a positive example—thanks to its continuity, transparency, and bottom-up consultation processes. But participants also acknowledged the limitations of “one-size-fits-all” approaches and stressed the need for flexible tools, such as voluntary legal regimes that allow Member States and businesses to opt in where relevant.
Looking Ahead
The workshop closed with a clear message: regulatory simplification must be part of a broader political and institutional strategy. It requires long-term vision, cross-level coordination, and a willingness to listen—both to citizens and to those implementing the rules.
