With its 23 official languages and over 40 regional and minority languages, the EU forms a unique multilingual community of countries and people. However, much of the potential brought by internal market to SMEs is lost because of the lack of necessary languages expertise. This potential will be the focus for this year European Day of Languages, to be held on 26 September.

It is estimated that 11% of small and medium-sized businesses lose contracts due to a lack language skills, opportunities that can cost millions of Euros and also cause loss of jobs. While this is a problem Europeans are increasingly aware of, a significant work in this field still remains to be done.

This year, celebrating the European Day of Languages, the Commission wishes to highlight that as well as being a practical asset for an individual’s personal development, languages mean more business for companies, giving them a competitive edge and opening up export markets. Improving the overall level of language skills in Europe will also contribute to Europe 2020 strategy for smart and inclusive growth, and multilingualism is also a crucial part of flagship initiative Youth on the Move and the Agenda for New Skills and Jobs.

In this scope, the Commission's Lifelong Learning Programme provides 50 million Euro a year to support language activities and projects. Its focus on languages for SMEs is based, in part, on the conclusions of a 2007 study on the effects on the European economy of shortages of foreign language skills in enterprise.

Languages for SMEs

To celebrate the European Day of Languages in 2010, Commissioner Vassiliou will meet around 150 entrepreneurs, business organisations and representatives of national and local administrations participating in the Commission event on ‘Languages for SMEs’, followed by a round table debate on languages, competitiveness and employability.

A large number of activities will take place in all Member States to raise awareness of the need to promote language skills among citizens. Lectures, exhibitions, concerts, and countless demonstrations will be developed with this goal.

The Commission is also launching an on-line language quiz its website on education and languages and a contest entitled ‘My Favourite Foreign Language Story’ to highlight how languages can open doors in private and professional life. The authors of the best stories will be invited to Brussels for an award ceremony around Europe Day in May 2011.