EESC opinion: Participatory processes in the implementation of Europe 2020

Key points

• The EESC calls on the European institutions and national governments to make a renewed political commitment to engage with all relevant partners under the Europe 2020 Strategy.

• The EESC undertakes to build on work with the national Economic and Social Councils (ESCs) and similar bodies and national representatives of organised civil society by becoming the European contact point and to provide a dedicated platform for them.

• In the long term, the EESC believes that the European Union should develop a long-term vision of the ultimate goal of stakeholder engagement and work to gradually develop this.
• In the short term, the EESC believes that a number of small changes would have a significant impact on progress. In particular, as a matter of urgency, Member States and the European Commission should reconsider the timing and type of processes in order to allow for genuine engagement and co-responsibility by all stakeholders.