15/04/2026
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Each year the European Space Agency (ESA) invites small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and midcaps to share their views and give feedback about topics which affect their work in the space sector.
An SME Forum occurs as part of the SME and Midcap Days on 8–9 June 2026 at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France. This is preceded by an online preparatory SME Forum in April and May.
Consolidated comments and reactions provided during these events will feed into the next ESA High Level Forum as well as future considerations about the activities and policies of the Agency.
Preparatory meetings online
To gather some initial contributions and prepare for the Paris meeting, ESA invites SMEs to join at least one of the online preparatory meetings on:
Tuesday, 21 April 2026 (online; 14:00 – 17:00 CEST) register by 16 April
Thursday, 21 May 2026 (online; 14:00 – 17:00 CEST) register by 18 May
To participate, SMEs can register on ESA’s Learning Hub.
The Agency encourages participation of one representative per company, preferably at management level. Participation in one or both of the preparatory meetings is necessary to attend the SME and Midcaps Days in June.
The main points highlighted during these preparatory meetings will provide a first set of industry inputs to the SME and Midcaps Days, presented by one or more SME representatives, which will start the debate on the day. Register for the SME and Midcaps Days by 31 May 2026.
Objectives
These meetings allow open discussion about topics of concern to SMEs which can be debated at the SME and Midcaps Days in June. Those SMEs that are unable to attend the on-site event in Paris have a opportunity to share their views and provide feedback.
This is also an opportunity to review key topics from the previous SME Forum in 2025, and for ESA to inform SMEs about current issues that are relevant to industry, including the outcomes of the ESA Ministerial Council (CM25).
Agenda
The draft agenda of the online preparatory meeting on 21 April comprises:
- ESA introduction
- ESA briefing on topics and updates from the SME Forum 2025, and Bromo merger implications
- SME4Space presentation
- Open discussion on the challenges for industry in the space market
- Working with ESA: challenges, needs, and evolution
- Other issues to be brought to the attention of the Agency
- Any other business