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.
A stronger and more inclusive European Semester that works for all: Strengthening Europe's Economic Resilience, Sustainable growth and Competitiveness
Location
Brussels
Belgium
The EESC's European Semester Group is bringing together speakers from the EU institutions, organised civil society, the Member States and research institutes for its annual conference on "A stronger and more inclusive European Semester that works for all: Strengthening Europe's Economic Resilience, Sustainable growth and Competitiveness ", to be held from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday 24 June 2025.
The agenda and all information regarding this plenary session will be available 8 days prior to the event. You will be able to follow the debates by web streaming. Web streaming
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.
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.
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.
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.
The EESC organises a public hearing 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.