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.
As part of its work to prepare an opinion on "Access to water: tackling water poverty and its implication on social policy", the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is organising a hybrid public hearing on 13 April 2023 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The thematic debate of the Group will see the participation of Marina Elvira Calderone, Minister for Labour and Social Policies of Italy, Marie Toussaint, MEP and Vice-Chair of the European Parliament's Intergroup on "Fighting against poverty", and several representatives of civil society organisations.
Energy poverty exacerbates gender gap worldwide. It is estimated that 70% of 1.3 billion population in developing countries living in poverty are women. Research has shown that women are more likely to fall into energy poverty as they are the main users and producers of household energy, due to economic, biological/physiological and socio-cultural factors. For instance, older women are the most likely to suffer from energy poverty due to a higher life expectancy and lower pensions compared to men. Women are also more likely to be responsible for householding and cooking activities requiring energy sources.
The EESC is organising a hybrid conference entitled "Towards an EU framework against homelessness based on the principle of 'Housing First'" on 7 October 2022 (9h30 to 13h00).
The aim of the conference will be to reflect on how the EU, national, regional and local authorities, as well as organised civil society, can join forces to identify practical steps to be taken to eradicate homelessness in the EU.
challenges from an economic and social perspective
Rue Belliard 99, 1040
Brussels
Belgium
As part of its work to prepare an opinion on "Tackling energy poverty and the EU's resilience: challenges from an economic and social perspective'', the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is organising a remote public hearing on 25 May 2022 from 9:30 am to 1 pm.
The discussion will focus on how European organised civil society, together with the EU, national, regional and local authorities, can join forces to fight against energy poverty.
The EU as a driver of shared prosperity – civil society for an economy that works for people & the planet
HYBRID EVENT • EESC
Brussels
Belgium
While Europe and its societies are still in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the Conference on the Future of Europe in its closing stages, the EESC will be holding its annual Civil Society Days in March 2022.
EESC hosts panel at the Deutsche Welle Global Forum
Bonn
Germany
Globally, inequality and poverty also have led to migration, fostering, inequality and tensions in the host countries.
Europe has reacted to these challenges by proclaiming the European pillar of social rights, a set of key principles aiming at a more social Europe. Its main purpose is to fight against inequality and poverty. The fight against inequalities is also linked to the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), VMA building, room VMA 3, 2 rue van Maerlant, 1040 Brussels
Belgium
The Dutch Presidency has requested an exploratory opinion about the shift from the traditional employment relationship to more non-standard forms of employment, introduced among others by online platforms like Uber. The EESC is to examine the link between new forms of employments relationships to a decent living wage and make policy recommendations as to how to take full advantage of digital innovation but regulate and mitigate the effects in terms of labour law protection and social protection.
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), JDE building, room JDE63, Rue Belliard 99, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Belgium
In its own-initiative opinion, the EESC is looking at the efficiency of the efforts, funded from the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), in tackling poverty and social exclusion in Europe – as one of the Europe 2020 strategy's most important goals.
The aim of this hearing is to collect specific observations and recommendations based on the experiences of civil society organisations with the implementation of the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD) for combating poverty and social exclusion.