By Alena Mastantuono

Europe is at a turning point. As new members join the EESC, they inject much-needed energy and bold perspectives. Thanks to the hard work of our colleagues during the last term of office, our institution enters this new chapter ready, grounded in clear priorities and a disciplined 2025 budget.

However, the world around us is anything but stable. Unpredictable geopolitics and political shifts across Europe are creating a landscape more uncertain than ever before. This instability puts a real strain on Europe’s economic resilience and global competitiveness, which consequently impacts its social dimension and well-being.

That is why civil society leaders look to us, their voice in Brussels, to defend their interests and provide strong, reliable advocacy. Our advisory role vis-à-vis the EU institutions is more critical than ever: we must make sure the realities citizens face are recognised at every level. Defending our industrial base, urgently simplifying heavy regulations and championing sustainable, long-term growth and prosperity must be our top priorities.

Coming from the employers family, we understand something that is all too often missed – the economy and society are inseparable. We know that, without a healthy economy, there is no social progress, and without social stability, economic gains are fragile. Every decision we take in the Committee must reflect this vital balance. I am committed to ensuring that the EESC’s leadership recognises business as a foundational partner in Europe’s prosperity.

The responsibility is immense. As vice-president of the EESC responsible for budget, my task, together with the members of the Commission for Financial and Budgetary Affairs (CAF), will be to ensure that we uphold strict financial discipline, ensure transparency and efficiency, and engage fully in the EU budgetary process. As we wrap up the 2024 discharge and prepare our 2026 budget for tough negotiations, we are also adapting to new travel rules and smarter resource planning – all to maximise our impact for Europe.

Ultimately, our biggest challenge is relevance. We must ensure the European Commission, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament see the EESC not as a procedural box to tick, but as an indispensable partner in shaping smarter, more effective EU laws for businesses and citizens alike.

Since 1958, the EESC has been the EU’s bridge to real-life experience. Now, more than ever, we must modernise our image, amplify our mission and deliver advice that is grounded, dynamic and heard.

In these unpredictable times, Europe needs our collective determination and effective advocacy like never before.