On 30 March 2026, the EESC Permanent Group on Sustainable Food Systems (PG) will hold a public debate “Towards a sustainable EU Livestock Strategy”, with the aim to contribute to the European Commission’s upcoming EU Livestock Strategy.
On 25 February 2026, the University of Sussex and the EESC will host an event and workshop on European leadership on fossil fuel phase out: Lessons learned and future directions.
It is taking place at a critical moment - following the outcomes of COP30, amid growing calls for concrete roadmaps to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, and ahead of the world’s first summit on a just transition away from fossil fuels in 2026 - the event will examine how EU leadership, experience, and policy tools can help accelerate action within Europe and beyond.
Public debate in the ECO Section on the Latest twists and turns on the road to the next Multiannual Financial Framework in the framework of the opinion ECO/682 Multiannual financial framework 2028-2034.
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.
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The European Commission is in the process of developing a European Affordable Housing Plan, to be launched in 2026. This political debate will explore what elements and policies should be included in order to produce a holistic and inclusive housing plan.
On 8 September 2025 (14:30-18:00), the NAT section of the EESC will host its end of mandate debate with the aim of addressing some of the crucial and systemic questions raised by the new geopolitical order from the point of view of civil society, and to chart possible pathways for the future.
Public debate on Defence-related investments in the EU budget in the context of the new geopolitical order, to contribute to the final report of the EESC´s ad hoc group on the new geopolitical order, and in the framework of the opinion ECO/679 - Defence-related investments in the EU budget.
On 11 February, the European Commission published its 2025 work programme. Several initiatives in the work programme – initiatives to enhance competitiveness through the promotion of reforms and investments, both private and public, the new the Savings and Investment Union, as well as the next Multiannual Financial Framework, just to name a few – fall in the remit of the Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO) of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). We organise this debate to discuss with representatives of the Commission and the members of the EESC the conditions and actions needed for the EU and its Member States to successfully implement what is outlined in the Commission and achieve the shared goals of the Union.
