European Family Businesses

European Family Businesses is the EU federation of national associations representing long-term family owned enterprises, including small, medium-sized and larger companies.

European Family Businesses General Assembly – ‘Strengthening family business: an Irish perspective’ takes place on Tuesday 4th December, Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin.

The objectives of European Family Businesses are to promote a full understanding of the key role of family-owned enterprises in Europe’s economy, to press for policies that will support the creation of a level playing field for family businesses compared to all other types of companies, and to ensure recognition of their contribution to the entrepreneurial culture and social cohesion in Europe. In addition, European Family Businesses represents and supports the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Family businesses make up more than 60 % of all European companies, and they account for about 40 % - 50 % of employment, encompassing a vast range of firms of different sizes and from different sectors. Most SMEs (especially micro and small enterprises) are family businesses and a large majority of family companies are SMEs. Family Businesses constitute to a substantial part of existing European companies and have a significant role to play in the strength and dynamism of the European economy.

EFB in Dublin

To coincide with the upcoming Irish presidency of the European Council, EFB is collaborating with the Irish family business community to highlight problems, via two separate panel discussions, that need addressing at community level. SME and Entrepreneurship policy are rightly being prioritised by the European Institutions, and EFB hopes to complete the understanding of family businesses, which tend to be mostly SMEs, so as to ensure that policies formulated in Europe are ultimately conducive to growth and prosperity. EFB is collaborating with JJ O’Connell of Family Business Ireland and Philip Mackeown of Family Business Network Ireland, to ensure that we have a fruitful discussion via the presence of local family business owners.