The EESC issues between 160 and 190 opinions and information reports a year.
It also organises several annual initiatives and events with a focus on civil society and citizens’ participation such as the Civil Society Prize, the Civil Society Days, the Your Europe, Your Say youth plenary and the ECI Day.
Here you can find news and information about the EESC'swork, including its social media accounts, the EESC Info newsletter, photo galleries and videos.
The EESC brings together representatives from all areas of organised civil society, who give their independent advice on EU policies and legislation. The EESC's326 Members are organised into three groups: Employers, Workers and Various Interests.
The EESC has six sections, specialising in concrete topics of relevance to the citizens of the European Union, ranging from social to economic affairs, energy, environment, external relations or the internal market.
The EESC organises a public hearing on Financial literacy and education for Europeans. It will gather together institutions, industry and civil society stakeholders, and will discuss desirable policy actions and share good practices along the EU.
Economic and Social Council of Spain,
c/ Huertas, 73
Madrid
Spain
The 20th meeting of the EU-China Civil Society Round Table will take place in Madrid, Spain on 9 and 510June 2025.
The EU-China Civil Society Round Table was established in 2007 following a decision taken by the 9th EU-China Summit in Helsinki. The delegations from the EESC and its Chinese counterpart, the China Economic and Social Council, meet regularly to discuss topics relating to economic and social issues relevant to both parties.
By elaborating reports, discussing them and exchanging ideas, the representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee and the China Economic and Social Council contribute to the development of the overall EU-China relationship, from a civil society perspective.
EESC, Rue Van Maerlant/Van Maerlantstraat 2, 1040 Brussels
Brussels and online
Belgium
The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, proclaimed 25 years ago in December 2000, plays a crucial role in upholding fundamental rights, democracy, and the rule of law across the Member States. To facilitate the effective implementation and application of the Charter, in 2020, the European Commission presented its “Strategy to strengthen the application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the EU”. This year, the Commission is undertaking a mid-term review of its strategy to strengthen the application of the Charter.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is organising a public hearing to assess the economic impact of extending the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to the maritime sector.
The hearing will focus on the risks of carbon and business leakage, and how these developments may affect port competitiveness and trade flows- particularly in smaller and peripheral EU Member States. The event will provide a platform for maritime stakeholders, economic experts, and EU institutions to discuss real-world implications and explore fiscal and strategic solutions to mitigate negative effects.
Speakers will include representatives from DG CLIMA, maritime and port organisations, as well as leading economists and policy analysts.
Malta’s strategic location and role in European maritime logistics make it an ideal setting for this timely discussion.
An All-Island Stakeholder Forum is being organised by the European Economic and Social Committee together with an All-Island Advisory Group of nine representative workers, employers and civic organisations from both Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The focus will be on the theme of ‘Mobility across the island of Ireland after Brexit’. The Forum will be in two parts: (i) plenary sessions in the morning in hybrid format, and (ii) in-person breakout sessions in the afternoon at which stakeholders will discuss specified topics in more detail.
This 2025 All-Island Stakeholder Forum is an ambitious EESC initiative feeding into the development of the EU-UK relationship and complements the European Commission and the UK government commitments to stakeholder engagement in the Windsor Framework. It will gather the widest possible range of business, worker and civil society stakeholders on the island together to share insights and expertise.
The EESC organises a public hearing on the Communication on a Savings and Investments Union. It will gather together institutions, industry and civil society stakeholders, and will discuss on how to deliver opportunities for households, businesses and the whole EU economy.
When Artificial Intelligence and Authentic Intelligence join forces: the future of the Liberal Professions
Event type
Conference
Location
Rue Van Maerlant 2, Brussels
Room VMA 22
Brussels
Belgium
Join us on 11 June 2025, when the Liberal Professions Category of the EESC proudly presents the 9th edition of the Day of Liberal Professions. The conference is open to the public. Registration for in-person participation closes on 5 June 2025. The event will be webstreamed.
Energy poverty remains a major concern for European people. Recent legislation has attempted to protect vulnerable consumers from electricity disconnection. This year, the European Commission has issued an action plan for affordable energy as part the Clean Industrial Deal, which focuses on decreasing energy prices for citizens, businesses and communities across the EU. This plan proposes a series of measures to lower energy bills and fast-track cost-saving and reinforcing structural reforms for our energy system.
Against this backdrop, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the European Commission are holding a joint conference on affordable energy in Brussels from 9:30 to 17:30 on 11 June 2025.
Lessons learned and a new Inflation Governance Framework
Location
Van Maerlant 2
Brussels
Belgium
EVENT POSTPONED - New date to be decided
On Thursday, 12 June 2025, from 14:00 – 17:30 (CET), the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will host an event organised by the Foundation for European Progressive Studies, in cooperation with Fondazione Pietro Nenni and tasc, discussing lessons learned from the recent inflation episode and the new inflation governance framework that needs to be developed to prevent or mitigate the supply side inflation shocks in the future.