More Visibility, Better Legislation:
A European Call for One-Person Companies and the Self-Employed

Part of the One-Person Companies & Self-Employment Summit 2026
Working Breakfast – 1 July 2026, 08:00 AM CET (90 MIN)
MEP Salon, European Parliament, Brussels
The Working Breakfast will focus on one central objective: bringing the realities of one-person companies and self-employed professionals more clearly into the European political debate. Around 60% of SMEs in Europe are one-person companies, and more than 14% of the working population in the EU is self-employed. Despite this scale, their practical realities are often not sufficiently reflected in policymaking. The exchange will therefore combine key data, real voices and open dialogue on how better regulation can serve Europe’s smallest entrepreneurs — a major part of the entrepreneurial landscape, yet too often not sufficiently heard. We will bring Members of the European Parliament into direct dialogue and debate with representatives of one-person companies and self-employed professionals, as well as with associations and organisations from the SME Connect network. The aim is not only to listen to their practical experiences, needs and concerns, but also to help connect and activate these entrepreneurs so that they can develop a stronger, more visible and politically relevant European voice for their own needs. The breakfast will also support the wider Summit process, including the work towards a common manifesto for one-person companies and the self-employed. Please note that registration is open exclusively to individuals who hold a valid access badge to the European Parliament.

  • Welcome & Moderation

    Dr. Horst Heitz

    Chair of the Steering Committee of SME Connect

  • Opening

    Reinhold Lopatka MEP

  • Part I – The Reality of One-Person Companies and Self-Employment in Europe

  • Facts, Data and Conclusions

    Imelda Vital

    Executive Director of Seldia; SMEC Co-Chair of ESO

    Peter Dohr

    Senior Expert for Single Market at Austrian Chamber of Commerce

    Vincent Schoch

    Head of Trade and One-Person & Microenterprise Initiatives, IHK Reutlingen

  • “Real Life” Reports

    Jasmin Leheta

    Styling & Interior Coach, SME Connect Co-Chair of the Working Group Entrepreneurship, Self-Employment and OPCs

    Christoph Skutella

    Managing Director, BDS Upper Palatinate District; European Affairs Director BDS (Bavarian Self-Employment Association)

    Jenna van Hauten

    Coaching & Consulting, Self-Employed

  • Discussion

  • Part II – Political & Administrative Dialogue: Why Are OPC-s and the Self-Employed Still Not Sufficiently Reflected in EU Legislation?

    Open Dialogue Round with MEPs & European Commission
    Marta Wcisło MEP

    Committee on Regional Development (REGI)