Focusing on the Role of Hungarian SMEs in the Global Value Chains we held a successful workshop and two roundtable discussions on March 6th and 7th, 2025 at MáraiKult event hall. 

The third transnational workshop of the ValueFacturingSMEs project organised by the International Project Office of the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry and facilitated by the European DIGITAL SME Alliance, promoted best practices in the context of social dialogue to enhance the competitiveness of manufacturing SMEs within global value chains.

During the day, two roundtable discussions offered participants insights on challenges and opportunities for SMEs in global value chains (GVCs). A training session delivered by our Italian project partner, ADAPT followed, exploring policy frameworks, such as EU due diligence directive, and the role of social dialogue and collective bargaining in improving working conditions within globalised industries.

We highly appreciate the valuable inputs from our panellists: Sergio Ventricelli, Vice President of Confimi Industria (IT), Zoltan László, Vice President of the Hungarian Metalworkers Federation, Csaba Szabó, Director of Hungarian Chemical Industry Association, Tamás Székely, Hungarian Trade Union Confederation – sitting in the first roundtable. 

Also, for Ferenc Borbás, CEO, Radius Signage Kft, István Horváth, Head of Department, ELTE, Dept of Labour and Social Law, Miklós Ledács Kiss, president, MVM Group Trade Union Federation (Hungarian Energy LTD), András Novodonszki, Vice President, Free Trade Union of Engineers and Technician – sitting in the second roundtable.

Special thanks for Dr. Margherita Roiatti, Director, Fondazione ADAPT and Francesco ALIFANO, Researcher, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, ADAPT, for delivering an insightful workshop in the afternoon. This was a great occassion to explore factors that can foster or hinder SMEs participation in global value chains.

Thanks to all the speakers for their meaningful contributions, and to the participants for engaging in the discussions.