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.
For the 4th time, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and Serbia held the Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee (JCC). The JCC is a civil society platform established between the EESC and Serbian civil society. It complements the EU institutional framework related to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Serbia, with a civil society point of view. This joint institution allows civil society organisations on both sides to monitor the country's accession negotiations. It is also a platform to discuss issues of common interest and to inform the public at large of the challenges ahead during the accession period.
During the 5th EU-Korea Civil Society Forum (CSF), participants will discuss labour standards with the ILO representative, including progress achieved by both Parties to the Agreement as well as the next steps in the ratification and effective implementation of the ILO fundamental and other up-to-date conventions. Both DAGs also will exchange information about the role of civil society in the EU and the Republic of Korea in the development and implementation of the climate change policy at national, EU and international level. They then will adopt final conclusions.
The 2nd meeting of the EU-Georgia Civil Society Platform (CSP) will be held on 16 February 2017 at the EESC. The CSP complements the political bodies existing within the framework of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, and it allows civil society organisations from both sides to monitor the implementation process and prepare recommendations to the relevant authorities both in Georgia as well as in the European Union.
The CSP is made up of nine members from both Parties, representing the EESC and large European civil society networks, on the one side, and civil society organisations from Georgia, on the other side.
Triggering radical change in the way we buy, exchange or even value goods and services, the collaborative economy, the functional economy and the circular economy have had a considerable impact on businesses, consumers and workers. In its 2016 opinions on all three economic models, the EESC has recognised both the potential of these new models for Europe's sustainability as well as the uncharted legal territory they bring with them. Taking our work to the next level, we have joined forces with the Global Hub for the Common Good, to enrich the European debate with input from communities directly involved in these new economies.
JDE 62, Jaques Delors Building, Rue Belliard 99, 6th floor
Brussels
Belgium
The Workers' Group organised an extraordinary meeting to discuss its strategy and priorities in view of the unfolding political and institutional developments that will shape the year 2017.
The EESC hearing on 14 February 2017 was an opportunity for all people who were interested in rural issues to meet, present work in progress and exchange ideas and knowledge – and get inspired by examples of successful projects and initiatives in other rural communities. Together we thought of better ways to empower the rural communities to play their full part in addressing vital policy areas such as food security, renewable energy, environmental protection and job creation.
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Van Maerlant Building, Room VMA 3, Rue Van Maerlant 2, 1040 Brussels
Belgium
The EESC and its Permanent Study group on Disability rights are organizing a public hearing on the situation of refugees and migrants with disabilities on 14 February 2017.
The objective of the hearing is to draw attention on the situation of refugees and migrants with disabilities, by raising awareness among organizations working with them on the rights and needs of persons with disabilities.
In the first part we will focus on the situation in Greece and will present the report and recommendations issuing from the EESC visit to Lesbos and Athens in October 2016. In the second part we will enlarge the picture and look at what the EU and civil society can do to tackle the crisis in particular with regard to vulnerable refugees and migrants.
The discussion focussed on the preparation (topics, stakeholders, organizational aspects) of the Civil Society Forum with Korea and the Workshop on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), heldIn February in Brussels (20-21 February 2017).
Public hearing on What future for islands in the European Union to take place in Malta on 7 February 2017 from 10.00 to 13.00., organised in the context of the EESC's draft opinion on Inclusive Islands requested by the Maltese Presidency of the EU with the aim of identifying permanent solutions for islands to address their structural difficulties.