The European Taxpayers’ Association (TAE) has awarded Pehr Granfalk, Councillor of Solna, Sweden and Member of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), the prestigious TAE Certificate of Honour, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to responsible policymaking and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The award, presented by TAE Honorary President Rolf von Hohenhau, highlights Mr Granfalk’s efforts to promote efficient use of public resources and to ensure that policymaking at both regional and European level remains grounded in economic reality. In his remarks, TAE President Michael Jäger underlined the positive and lasting impact of Mr Granfalk’s work, particularly in strengthening a policy environment that supports taxpayers and fosters economic growth across Europe.
Mr Granfalk has been a member of the European Committee of the Regions since 2019, where he has played a key role in advancing responsible and efficient governance. As chair of the Commission for Financial and Administrative Affairs (CAFA), his work has focused on ensuring that existing public funds are used effectively before new funding is sought, reinforcing accountability and trust in public institutions. A strong advocate for Europe’s entrepreneurs, Mr Granfalk, the EPP Group's Political Coordinator in the CoR's ECON commission, has also contributed significantly to shaping policies that improve conditions for SMEs, widely recognised as the backbone of the European economy. It is with this mindset that Mr. Granfalk, as ECON Rapporteur, championed the case of SMEs in the European Competitiveness Fund, part of the Multi-annual Financial Framework.
Reflecting on his approach, Mr Granfalk stated: “Before asking for new money, we need to show that we are doing the best with the money that we already have.” He also emphasised the importance of SMEs in Europe’s future: “SMEs are the backbone of Europe. It is the backbone of social welfare because SMEs are the ones creating growth and taxes. So instead of taxing SMEs, we need to encourage SMEs to grow, start, and that's the only way that Europe can go forward.”
The European Taxpayers’ Association, founded in 1988, represents nearly one million taxpayers through its member organisations across Europe. The annual TAE awards recognise individuals and institutions that demonstrate a strong commitment to taxpayer-oriented, economically sound, and SME-friendly policies.