The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) acknowledges persistent trends towards institutionalisation & stresses the urgent need for a legally binding directive that translates Article 19 on legal capacity of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) into concrete measures. Additionally, the EESC advocates for mandatory national de-institutionalisation strategies, developed in collaboration with disabled people’s organisations (DPOs), with allocated budgets, deadlines, and measurable targets. The EESC also urges the integration of de-institutionalisation into the EU’s affordable housing plan, ensuring accessibility requirements in all EU-funded housing projects & the development of national accessible housing strategies. Stronger coordination between ESF+, ERDF, & InvestEU is essential to expand community-based supported housing solutions.
The next Consumer Agenda 2025-2030, scheduled for adoption on 19 November 2025, will include a new action plan on consumers in the single market ensuring a balanced approach that protects consumers without overburdening companies with red tape.
This opinion explores the potential of the bioeconomy and how policies can ensure its long-term competitiveness and investment security, while safeguarding nature. It will present civil society's views on further goals which include increasing resource-efficient and circular use of biological resources, securing a sustainable supply of biomass, both within the EU and from international sources, and strengthening the EU’s position in the rapidly expanding global bioeconomy.
