This exploratory opinion responds to a request made by the Polish Presidency. One of the key messages is that the number of high quality jobs needs to be increased. If we succeed to use the untapped employment reserves in all age brackets, many other issues - for instance the long term funding of the pension systems - will be solved. If the real retirement age is to be raised then it is necessary to ensure that people can work longer. The opinion lists a package of measures to make working conditions favourable for older people.
Download — EESC opinion: Demographic trends and the labour market
Across a wide range of issues, including employment, pension systems, climate change, health and care services, and political participation, both younger and older generations feel inadequately represented in the current policy responses. This is contributing to growing political disillusionment and jeopardising the cohesion of European societies.
Some 42% of Europe's older population report that age discrimination is prevalent in their country, with ageism peaking in the workplace. As the proportion of people over 65 is set to steadily rise in the coming decades, the EU is in dire need of a comprehensive strategy which will allow for a fundamental change, both in policies and in society's perception of older people
In a plenary debate with Commission Vice President Dubravka Šuica, the EESC asked the Commission to present a new strategy for older persons before the end of the current mandate
"Cohesion policy 2028–2034: A new fund, a new framework, a new role for civil society?" brings together EU institutions, social partners and civil society representatives to reflect on the future of cohesion policy in the next Multiannual Financial Framework. The hearing explores proposals for reforming cohesion funding and governance, assesses the implications of the new framework through the National and Regional Partnership Plans and examines how civil society organisations can play a stronger role in the design, implementation and monitoring of cohesion policy. The discussion aims to identify how cohesion policy can continue to deliver territorial, social and economic cohesion while responding to new challenges and transitions facing the European Union.
The legislative package proposed by the European Commission are likely to affect the availability of financial instruments for EU citizens, the returns of their savings and national policies on supplementary pensions. This event will gather institutions and civil society stakeholders.
The EESC's objective with this debate is to underscore the importance of aligning macroregional strategies with national regional partnership plans (NRPPs) in order to boost cohesion and cross-border cooperation.
The public hearing will examine how national, local and civil society actors will work together to foster collaboration through partnership principle and multi-level governance in order to deliver more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient outcomes across all regions.
The objective of the public hearing is to examine how cohesion policy can more effectively address housing affordability challenges to advance its core goals of economic, social and territorial cohesion. The participants will explore how strategic housing investments can stimulate regional economic development, enhance competitiveness, improve labour market efficiency, and reduce territorial disparities. The aim is to provide concrete recommendations for improving the effectiveness of existing instruments for the remainder of the 2021-2027 period and developing a more comprehensive approach to affordable housing within the post-2027 cohesion policy framework.
