Services are the backbone of Europe’s economy – driving employment, value creation, and societal well-being. Despite their critical role, the services sectors remain underrepresented in the European industrial policy debate. As Europe shapes its future competitiveness agenda, it is essential to place services at the centre of this strategy.
This workshop will explore why an industrial policy tailored to services is crucial for Europe’s sustainable growth, quality employment, and social cohesion. It will also consider how such a policy should be shaped as to ensure job quality and a flourishing services economy.
Practical information
- Date: Wednesday 15 October 2025
- Time: 12:00 – 17:30 (Welcome lunch at 12:00; Workshop starts at 13:00)
- Location: Ver.di Offices (Paula-Thiede-Ufer 10, 10179 Berlin, Germany), meeting room Aida/Othello
- Languages: Interpretation will be provided in English, German and French (other languages to be decided later according to registrations)
- Registration: here (Deadline for registration: Monday 22 September 2025)
Draft agenda
- Session 1: The Case for an Industrial Policy for Services
This session will examine the economic, social, and strategic reasons why services should have a dedicated industrial policy. Experts like Dani Rodrik (Harvard Kennedy School) and representatives from the European Commission and trade unions will offer perspectives and insights from European policymaking for the services sectors.
- Session 2: Designing a Services-Focused Industrial Policy
This session will focus on what a successful industrial policy for services sectors in Europe should look like. Sector representatives from different core sectors and experts will share their vision on how to ensure flourishing services sectors and job quality.
Who should attend?
This event is aimed at UNI Europa’s Executive Committee members, together with trade unionists, European policymakers, researchers, and other key stakeholders interested in shaping Europe’s future industrial policy.
Preparatory documents
UNI Europa published a snapshot report in preparation of its 2025 regional Conference titled “A Smartphone without Apps: Why we need an Industrial Strategy for Services”. You can download this paper here in English, French, German and Swedish.
Accommodation
If you need accommodation, we recommend that you make your reservation as early as possible, as this week in October is very busy in Berlin due to numerous events.
Block bookings have been made at the following hotels:
- Moxy Berlin Ostbahnhof hotel (Andreasstraße 76-78, 10243 Berlin)
A block booking for the night of 15 October 2025 has been made. Rooms will be released gradually from 17 July until 31 August 2025, after which time all unbooked rooms will be released. Guaranteed individual reservation can be cancelled free of charge until 14 days prior to arrival. Prices and details are mentioned on the reservation link (Prices: Single room: €139 /per room/night incl. breakfast and VAT – Double room: €154 /per room/night incl. breakfast and VAT). Please make your own reservation. Any changes to your reservation must be communicated directly to the hotel. Participants will be responsible for payment to the hotel.
- IntercityHotel Berlin Ostbahnhof (Am Ostbahnhof 5, 10243 Berlin)
A block booking for the nights of 15 and 16 October 2025 has been made. All unbooked rooms will be released on 14 August 2025. Reserved rooms can be cancelled free of charge up to 14 days before arrival. Please make your own reservation with the keyword “Uni Europa” at : reservations.berlin-ostbahnhof@intercityhotel.com or +49 30 293 68 300 (Prices: Single room: €137.85 /per room/night incl. breakfast incl. overnight tax – Double room: €158.53 /per room/night incl. breakfast incl. overnight tax). Any changes to your reservation must be communicated directly to the hotel. Participants will be responsible for payment to the hotel and pay directly upon departure. To guarantee the booking, all guests are required to provide their credit card details when making their own reservation.
UNI Europa is not responsible for booking or paying for accommodation, nor in the event of late cancellation or no-show.
Insurance coverage
Please note that UNI Europa cannot take out insurance for the participants. It is up to the union or the individual participant to arrange insurance coverage.
Should you have any queries, please contact Stan De Spiegelaere (stan.despiegelaere@uniglobalunion.org) or Isabelle Claeys (Isabelle.Claeys@uniglobalunion.org) for further assistance.