Santiago Cuesta López, Director of ISMC, will take part in Brussels at the European Dialogue on EU Funding and Competitiveness
The Director General of the Iberian Sustainable Mining Cluster (ISMC), Santiago Cuesta López, will be invited by the European Commission to participate as a speaker in the “Implementation Dialogue on EU Funding and Regional Competitiveness”, which will take place at the Berlaymont building in Brussels.
This high-level meeting, chaired by Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, will bring together institutional representatives, business leaders and experts to discuss how cohesion policy will foster innovation, strengthen business competitiveness and reduce regional disparities across the European Union.
Focus on access to European funds and innovation
During his intervention, Cuesta López will stress the need to simplify access to and management of European funds under the 2021-2027 framework, especially for innovative SMEs. He will also call for the promotion of cross-border projects that will boost international cooperation and the development of strategic value chains.
In his words: “Spain has a unique potential in critical raw materials which, in the current geopolitical context, will become a pillar of European industrial autonomy. It is essential that we learn how to harness it with responsibility and strategic vision.”
The role of ISMC in European competitiveness
Under the leadership of Santiago Cuesta López, the ISMC has established itself as an international benchmark in research, innovation and sustainable exploitation of strategic resources, positioning Spain as a key player in European discussions on competitiveness and industrial resilience.
“With our participation in Brussels, we will reaffirm the commitment of ISMC and its members to innovation, sustainability and international cooperation, working to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and industrial autonomy,” Cuesta López will add.
In the media
The participation of ISMC in this European dialogue has already gained media coverage:
About ISMC
The Iberian Sustainable Mining Cluster (ISMC), founded in 2018 and headquartered in León and Seville, brings together companies, research centres and public administrations with the goal of promoting sustainable mining, circularity, and competitive growth at national, European and international levels.

