European Economic
and Social Committee
Programme
In recent years, overlapping crises - from the lingering effects of the pandemic to the escalating challenges of climate change, increasing living costs, and widening income disparities - have created fertile ground for widespread polarisation. Social instability, economic downturns and widespread discontent, particularly among those who feel unheard and left behind, have further deepened societal divisions.
To address these pressing concerns, Civil Society Week 2025 will bring together a diverse range of civil society stakeholders from Europe and provide them with a unique platform to engage in critical debates, share best practices, and collaborate to develop solutions that foster social cohesion and strengthen democratic engagement.
Monday 17 March Tuesday 18 March - ECI Day Wednesday 19 March Thursday 20 March
MONDAY 17 March
12:30 – 13:30 Registration (JDE building entrance hall)
13:30 – 14:00 Welcome coffee (Foyer 6)
14:00 – 16:00 OPENING (Room JDE 62)
16:00 – 16:30 Networking coffee (Foyer 6)
16:30 – 18:00 Session 1 (Atrium 6) Quo vadis Europe? Reconnecting polarised societies through community learning and citizenship education
TUESDAY 18 March - ECI Day
08:30 – 09:15 Registration (JDE building entrance hall)
09:00 – 09:30 Welcome coffee (Foyer 6)
09:30 – 10:45 High-level session – Strengthening Democracy through Cohesion and Participation: The Role of the European Citizens’ Initiative in Combating Polarisation (Room JDE 62)
10:45 – 11:15 Networking coffee (Foyer 6)
11:15 – 12:30 Session – Empowering the European Citizens’ Initiative: Strengthening Support across the Member States (Room JDE 62)
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch (Atrium 5)
14:00 – 15:00 Workshop – Empowering Voices: the Role of Civil Society Organisations in the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) (Atrium 6)
15:15 – 16:15 Workshop – World Café Meet & Greet (Atrium 6)
16:15 – 16:45 Networking coffee (Foyer 6)
16:45 – 17:45 Workshop – An Impact Strategy for ECIs (Room JDE 62)
17:45 – 18:00 ECI Day Conclusions (Room JDE 62)
18:00 – 19:00 Networking event (Atrium 6) - Last entrance from JDE hall at 18:00
WEDNESDAY 19 March
08:30 – 09:15 Registration (JDE building entrance hall)
09:00 – 09:30 Welcome coffee (Foyer 6)
09:30 – 11:00 Technology for the Common Good: The innovation we need in a democratic, inclusive and competitive Europe! (Atrium 6)
11:00 – 11:30 Networking coffee (Foyer 6)
11:30 – 13:00 Towards more democratic and sustainable housing in Europe (JDE 62)
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch (Atrium 5)
14:30 – 16:00 Supporting and funding CSOs (Room JDE 62)
16:00 – 16:45 Spotlight on the MFF (Room JDE 62) / Networking coffee (Foyer 6)
16:45 – 18:15 Foresight for an Inclusive Just Transition and Green-Blue Growth (Atrium 6)
18:15 – 19:30 Networking event (Atrium 6) - Last entrance from JDE hall at 18:00
THURSDAY 20 March
08:30 – 09:15 Registration (JDE building entrance hall)
09:00 – 09:30 Welcome coffee (Foyer 6)
09.30 – 11:00 Towards a European Strategy for civil society (Room JDE 62)
11:00 – 11:30 Networking coffee (Foyer 6)
11:30 – 12:30 Award Ceremony: Civil Society Prize (Room JDE 62)
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch (Atrium 5)