A friend asked me today whether InEurope plans to broaden its consumer product range beyond casual clothing and outdoor gear. It is a fair question, and one I have been thinking about more often myself. The simple answer is: not now.

Why product scope is difficult

The first reason is that for many product ranges it is extremely difficult to say what is really made in Europe and what is not. Take a bicycle: many parts can be made in Europe, but often are not. We do make gears in Europe, we do make chainwheels in Europe, and yet the final answer is still not always clear.

The same problem becomes even more complex with cars and household appliances. Final assembly in Europe does not always mean the product is genuinely European in the broader sense. That makes it hard to apply a clear and honest standard across many categories.

Why focus matters now

The second reason is more practical. InEurope is still a voluntary project, and even with limited funding I believe it should first do better what it already does well. Growth is tempting, but focus is more important right now.

There are several things that would bring more value in the near future. A newsletter would help us stay in touch with readers. A language switch would let people read in their own language. More events would help us connect with more people. And a YouTube channel is high on my list, because reading blog posts is not easy for everyone.

Why I keep space open

I also want to keep some room for other adventures. InEurope matters to me, but it is not the only thing I want to do with my time and energy. That is exactly why I do not want to expand too quickly or lose focus.

(picture, a day of kayaking with my wife in Biesbosch (Netherlands).

A possible next step

What may give InEurope a new direction is a B2B site. We are noticing a real need for businesses to find one another. Some brands are looking for distributors, while others want complementary partners, such as eco-dyeing companies and clothing brands.

That kind of platform would take time to build properly. But it could become an important part of the next phase of InEurope

For now, the mission stays the same: do a few things well, build trust, and keep the project useful for both consumers and brands. And sometimes that also means leaving enough space for a canoe trip, a walk, or whatever the next small adventure may be.

Jakob De Proft

Founder InEurope