EESC info

The EESC will award up to five climate projects that showcase civil society's invaluable contribution to achieving climate neutrality.

The European Economic and Social Committee has opened applications for its 2021 Civil Society Prize.

This year's theme is climate action and the EESC will select the winners from creative and innovative initiatives that aim to promote a just transition towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.

Applications can be submitted by all civil society organisations officially registered in the European Union and operating at local, regional, national or European level. The prize is also open to individuals who reside in the EU. Initiatives and projects have to be carried out in the EU to be eligible.

The projects must already have been carried out or still be ongoing.

The deadline for entries is 10 a.m. (Brussels time) on 30 June 2021.

A total of EUR 50 000 will be awarded to a maximum of five winners. The award ceremony is likely to take place during the EESC plenary session on 8 – 9 December 2021 in Brussels, depending on the health situation.

As the first EU institution to have given the floor to Greta Thunberg in the early days of the "Fridays for Future" global climate strike movement, the EESC has always been a fervent advocate of bottom-up climate action and has always emphasised the importance of grassroots organisations and individuals in making the transition to climate neutrality a reality. They play a crucial role in helping to bring about a shift in norms and behaviour, making local economies greener and driving the transition to net-zero emission societies at local or regional level.

Through its work, the EESC has repeatedly stressed that the success of the European Green Deal – under which the EU has pledged to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 – depends on action and commitment by all players. One of the key initiatives of the Green Deal – the European Climate Pact – must focus on encouraging people to become part of the solution rather than the problem, empowering them to change the systems that have led us to the brink of the climate crisis.

By dedicating its flagship prize to this all-important topic, the EESC wants to honour and showcase the non-state climate efforts made so far. It also aims to encourage ongoing projects and inspire new ones, thus highlighting the contribution that civil society organisations and individuals can make to the European Green Deal.

To be eligible, projects need to cover at least one of the issues listed in our press release available here.

The full description of requirements and the online application form are available on our webpage: http://www.eesc.europa.eu/civilsocietyprize/. (ll)

The European Economic and Social Committee intends to play an active part in joint European efforts to translate the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) into action and to build a fairer, more prosperous Europe for everyone.

Taking part in the High-Level Conference of the Porto Social Summit, held by the Portuguese EU presidency on 7 May, EESC representatives expressed the Committee's dedication to fostering economic and social reconstruction by putting people at the heart of policies.

The EESC will work together with other EU institutions, Member States and citizens to achieve the goals set by the EPSR's Action Plan. These include boosting employment, strengthening education and reducing poverty and social exclusion.

"Through our actions, we can make Europe recover, or we can be more ambitious and make it thrive! For that to happen, we should create the conditions for the EU's job-rich prosperity", said EESC president Christa Schweng. "We should also make sure that all citizens are supported and empowered with relevant skills for work and life, so they can look towards the future with confidence. You can count on our commitment to demonstrating that the EU and Member States can act together with their citizens and improve their lives, leaving nobody behind."

Apart from the president, the EESC delegation at the summit included presidents of the EESC's three groups: Stefano Mallia (Employers' Group), Oliver Ropke (Workers' Group) and Seamus Bolland (Diversity Europe).

The EESC delegation took part in the Summit's working sessions, clustered around topics relating to the proposed goals of the Action Plan: 1) work and employment, 2) skills and innovation, and 3) the welfare state and social protection.

Pegged as a pivotal moment of the Portuguese EU presidency, the Porto Social Summit for the first time brought to the table social partners, together with European institutions, to subscribe to the agreement on what the future of social Europe should be.

Its High Level Conference focused on the best way to implement the EPSR, announced by the EU at an earlier summit in Gothenburg in 2017. The EPSR contains a set of 20 principles which should help build a stronger, fairer and more inclusive Europe that offers equal opportunities to all its citizens. (ll)

Statement by EESC President Christa Schweng on the launch of the Conference on the Future of Europe

On the day of the launch of the Conference on the Future of Europe, I encourage citizens to take part in this historic undertaking. I would also like to appeal to policy-makers to ensure that we get the most out of what people have to say.

The conference is a unique exercise of participatory democracy. To succeed, it must focus on bottom-up engagement. We must reach out to people in the street in each and every corner of the EU and listen to what they have to say. We must engage equally with those who are already convinced and those who are hesitant about the EU.

However, listening to people is just the first step. The ideas expressed at the conference's events should result in concrete recommendations for EU action. I would also opt for a down-to-earth approach regarding the scope of the discussion. It is better to arrive at less ambitious conclusions that are acceptable for all rather than diving into high-level philosophical disputes with no chance of agreement.

Moreover, the progress must be measurable. I am in favour of creating a "dashboard" where citizens can follow up on the measures arising from the conference. People need to be able to get a clear picture of the state of play and need to see a timeline for topics they worked on. The institutions need to explain why they are or are not following up on certain proposals.

The future of Europe requires a new, positive narrative. We need to prove that Europe is a great place to be and to prosper – a place that creates opportunities for everyone to live the life they want, based on commonly agreed values. People in the US are proud of their American dream; I believe that it is time for Europeans to finally start enjoying and appreciating their own way of life and the benefits it brings.

The EESC will keep actively contributing to the conference – through our events and by mobilising civil society organisations throughout Europe. We hope that our voice will be heard loud and clear. If we really want to bring the European project back to citizens, civil society should be in the driving seat.

On 28 April, the European Economic and Social Committee held an exchange of views with the Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, on the Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and the Porto Social Summit, where the plan was to be discussed at the highest level.

During the debate, which was held at the EESC's virtual plenary session, the Committee also presented and adopted a resolution on its contribution to the Porto Summit, entitled European Civil Society Working in Partnership for our Sustainable Future.

In the resolution, the EESC said the Porto Summit represented a milestone and "an opportunity to demonstrate that the EU and Member States act together with its citizens and for their well-being, leaving nobody behind."

According to the EESC, the EPSR Action Plan could not be more timely in the context of the post-pandemic recovery. All citizens, including the most vulnerable ones, had to be able to participate in, identify with and find hope in the EPSR's vision and future implementation, through the active involvement of civil society.

The EESC urged Member States and the European institutions to take action on several fronts.  This included increasing the social resilience of European economies and boosting economic growth and job creation.

EESC president Christa Schweng said: "This Summit is a step forward towards putting people at the centre of the EU's policies. Through its work, the EESC aims to contribute to the recovery and to preparing for greener and more digital societies and economies the best way we can, using the ideas and recommendations of organised civil society."

Mr Schmit described the action plan as "a plan for people", adding it was intended to improve the living and working conditions of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in society, such as women, children, the young and people with disabilities. The emphasis is on promoting a more social environment and investing in people as a prerequisite for competitiveness and innovation.

"Economies will not prosper, and the digital and green transitions will not be successful, if people are not sufficiently healthy, educated and trained. We want to underline that our social model is not a burden, but a distinctive feature and asset that has allowed us to navigate the pandemic better than other regions of the world," Mr Schmit said.

However, he stressed that the Commission was very much aware of the division of competences between the national and EU levels and had no intention of legislating in areas not falling within its remit. This applied especially to the way in which targets needed to be achieved, which was defined by Member States' governments. (ll)

The European Economic and Social Committee has taken a strong stance in favour of building a European Health Union, calling on the EU and the Member States to respond to Europeans' demands that it make health a priority.

Recent surveys have shown that as many as 66% of Europeans would like the EU to have more say over health-related matters and more than half are in favour of public health becoming the EU's top priority in terms of expenditure.

In an opinion adopted at its April plenary session, the EESC therefore welcomed the Commission's package on an EU Health Union as the starting point for delivering on the right to good quality healthcare for all Europeans. This will ensure that good quality healthcare services are guaranteed and available to all EU citizens, regardless of their social and economic status or their country or place of residence – which is still not the case at present.

Although the Commission's package, unveiled in November, focuses on better prevention and management of cross-border health threats and possible future pandemics, the EESC described it as "an important new development" that should initiate a systemic change that goes beyond pure crisis management. 

Commenting on the EESC's position, EESC president Christa Schweng said: "These initiatives are the first steps towards the genuine European Health Union we need, in which all EU Member States work together to improve prevention, treatment and aftercare of diseases. Such a Union would allow EU countries to be prepared for and manage any future health crisis together. Actions in this field also need to take into account the views of civil society and the social partners, which have played a crucial role in protecting and promoting rights during the pandemic."

The rapporteur, Ioannis Vardakastanis, said: "Our message is simple: EU citizens feel that public health should be given priority at both EU and national level, and we need to bolster the EU's role in this," he said. He also pointed out that the pandemic has highlighted the need for a shift in how we think about healthcare, clearly showing that it cannot be treated as a commodity.

As the EESC set out in its opinion, improving both the working conditions of healthcare workers, including pay and incentives to keep them working in this sector, and their health and safety is central to the success of the future European Health Union.

The Health Union should focus on non-communicable diseases as the current pandemic has revealed their "toxic relationship" with communicable ones. There should also be a focus on mental health. (ll)

At its April plenary session, the EESC adopted a resolution on the Conference on the Future of Europe, in which it calls for "a new narrative grounded in the realities of everyday life", to reconnect and engage with European citizens. For this to happen, organised civil society must be involved and must be given a major role to play.

The resolution A new narrative for Europe contains a series of recommendations to make the most of the opportunity presented by the upcoming Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) to design a more prosperous, sustainable and equitable future for the EU. The EESC President, Christa Schweng, stressed the importance of achieving tangible outcomes: "The Conference must make concrete and measurable progress and not just consist of non-binding discussions; in other words, the ideas expressed during the Conference events should result in concrete recommendations for EU action", she said.

Ms Schweng also reiterated the need to regain citizens' ownership of the EU: "The future of Europe also needs a new, positive narrative. We have to prove and remind everyone that Europe is a great place to be and to prosper. Moreover, the voice of organised European civil society cannot be side-lined: if we really want to bring the European project back to the citizens, civil society should be in the driving seat".

Among other aspects, the resolution outlines the need for a "fair and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 crisis that paves the way to a more inclusive society and builds long-term competitiveness". The text also recognises the "paramount importance" of the dual green and digital transition and the need to seize the opportunity represented by the CoFoE to modernise and transform the EU's industrial sectors and their supply chains, so that they remain competitive in a world of lower emissions.

In short, the CoFoE should be the vehicle to bring about long-lasting change in the EU, including greater and more meaningful involvement for citizens and organised civil society in the European public sphere. (dgf)

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA) proposed by the European Commission to curtail the ever growing power of digital giants in Europe are fit for purpose, in the EESC's view, provided they go hand and hand with the taxation of tech companies, better working conditions for platform workers and data governance.

In a package of opinions adopted at its April plenary session, the EESC came out in favour of the DMA and the DSA proposed by the European Commission to revive competition on the internet.

The DMA is a long awaited piece of legislation. "For over ten years EU representatives have been calling for a level-playing field with big online platforms," said Emilie Prouzet, rapporteur of the EESC opinion on the law. "With the DMA, the European Commission is introducing a process specifically designed for these very large players. And we do support, as a good solution for Europe, most of what they propose. The DMA deals with online gatekeepers, that's all it does – but that's so much already!"

While supporting the DMA in its own right, the EESC insists on the need to complete this legal ecosystem with regulations tackling the other crucial issues surrounding the digital economy.

The Committee vows to keep a very watchful eye on planned legislation to cover the taxation of Big Tech, working conditions for platform workers, consumer protection on global markets and other thorny issues that need to be addressed to make sure everyone can benefit – consumers and workers as well as businesses.

The EESC is also, on the whole, supportive of the DSA, which is intended to regulate services that have been shaping and transforming the ways people communicate, connect, consume and do business.

In the EESC's view, it is important to support the Commission's efforts to maintain uniform rules across the bloc in its efforts to make legislation "fit for the digital age", as this will give Europe greater leverage on the global stage.

"We must prevent the internal market being fragmented by a proliferation of national rules and regulations that could undermine the system and prevent all European companies benefiting from a strong single market," says Gonçalo Lobo Xavier, rapporteur of the EESC's opinion on the DSA.

The EESC argues that having common rules is also an opportunity for Europe to set global standards ensuring consumers a high level of safety and protection as regards online goods and content, much as the GDPR has done for data protection.

With data becoming the "new oil" in today's increasingly digital economy, the European Commission is also stepping in with measures to encourage safe data sharing under common rules across Europe.

The EESC stands firmly behind the data governance regulation.

"This legislation offers a very interesting possibility of promoting a European digitalisation path, as the EU is at the moment the only organisation which is thinking seriously and in detail and about how to manage digital data," said Giuseppe Guerini, rapporteur of the EESC opinion on the data governance proposal. "We don't want to go down the path of an excessive liberalisation, and we also want to make sure that data is not used for purposes which are not subscribed to by the citizens. We encourage the EC to continue down this path with the necessary support for the implementation of this system of data governance." (dm)

The European Economic and Social Committee has welcomed the proposed new package of EU cybersecurity measures but pointed to weaknesses in addressing Europe's huge cyber skills gap. Critical entities also need streamlining, simplification and clearer application guidelines, in the EESC's view.

In an opinion adopted at its April plenary, the EESC hailed the new EU cybersecurity strategy as a positive step towards protecting governments, people and businesses from cyber threats, and safeguarding economic growth – an area where the EU appears to be highly vulnerable, with the economic impact of cybercrime estimated at 0.84% of GDP compared to 0.78% in North America.

However, the EESC stresses that there is a critical shortage of cybersecurity skills in Europe and that the strategy will not be sufficient to meet it. Demand for cybersecurity professionals has been growing in recent years and skyrocketing with the pandemic.

But there are more roles open than professionals to fill them: cybersecurity job vacancies in the EU are expected to reach at least 200,000 by 2022.

"Clearly, the EU urgently needs trained professionals working in cyber security roles in both the private and public sectors for the security of individuals, businesses and the EU", said Philip von Brockdorff, rapporteur of the EESC opinion on the strategy. "This is why the EESC strongly recommends a harmonised Cyber Security Career Pathway to help address the increasing skills gap across the EU."

The United States has developed a Cyber Security Career Pathway Tool to help people considering a career in cyber security identify, build and navigate a relevant career path. Europe could develop an EU-wide Cyber Security Career Pathway Tool of its own, suggests the EESC, to help train a cyber-security workforce with comparable skills in Europe, capable of moving across borders and meeting demand in this high growth industry across the bloc.

In another opinion adopted at the April plenary, drawn up by Maurizio Mensi, the EESC welcomed the Commission's two proposals to make public and private critical entities more resilient to threats from cyber and physical attacks, pointing out the need to strengthen industry and innovation capacity in an inclusive manner through a strategy based on four pillars: data protection, fundamental rights, security and cybersecurity.

However, in the interest of streamlining and simplification, the Committee calls for the two proposals to be combined into a single text, as they are closely linked and complementary (one focuses primarily on cybersecurity and the other on physical security) and some of the provisions overlap.

Referring to the scope of application, the Committee stresses that specific and clearer guidelines are needed to precisely identify the "critical" entities bound by the proposed directive. Commenting on this, Mr Mensi said: "The criteria for distinguishing between "essential" and "important" entities in sectors identified as critical to the economy and society should be more precisely defined. We need to make sure that differing approaches at national level do not result in barriers to trade or free movement of goods and services, which could jeopardise businesses and undermine trade." (dm/mp)

Having learnt from the shortcomings of the previous EU Roma framework over the past decade, the European Commission is determined to achieve the headline targets of the new Roma strategic framework, closing the gap of discrimination and socio-economic exclusion by at least half by 2030. However, the role of the Member States in delivering tangible results is pivotal. Without effective national strategies and pragmatic measures, the new framework risks failing in the same manner as its predecessor. 

Participants in an online hearing on The new EU Roma framework: views and expectations for the future of the Roma communities, pointed out that the reason the previous strategy had failed to achieve good results was due to the political situation in and lack of support from some Member States.

The new Roma framework focuses on a three-pillar approach: equality, inclusion and participation, complementing the socio-economic integration of marginalised Roma in the previous framework and reforming it considerably.

The new Roma framework contains much of merit but the problem of implementation remains the same.

Isabela Mihalache, from the ERGO Network, praised the new framework for including a number of synergies and complementary EU policies, but argued that when it came to the common minimum commitments of Member States, they were rather general.

Bernard Rorke, from the European Roma Rights Centre, warned: "Unless justice prevails without prejudice for Romani citizens, this framework will fail in exactly the same manner as its predecessor".

Along the same lines, Florin Botonogu, from the Bucharest-based Policy Centre for Roma and Minorities, emphatically pointed out that solutions needed to be realistic.

The president of the EESC Thematic Study Group on the Inclusion of the Roma, Alfredas Jonuška, encouraged CSOs and NGOs to make their voice heard as, while progress has been made, there is still much more to achieve. (at)

It was online Europe Day this year at the EESC, the home of EU organised civil society. Hosting a range of activities on its website, the Committee celebrated the European Union and the 71st anniversary of the Schuman Declaration – the starting point for European integration – by showcasing the key and unique role played in Europe by civil society organisations in these times, from their involvement in the recovery to their vital work in dealing with our day-to-day challenges.

The wide-ranging agenda for the day included online talks, a 360° virtual visit of the Committee's premises and other interactive activities enabling visitors to discover more about how the EESC works, its advisory function in the EU decision-making process and its members' activities.

The Committee also held a webinar on "Participatory democracy: a key pillar of the Conference on the Future of Europe", moderated by Cillian Lohan, vice-president for communication, in which EESC members Milena Angelova, Tatjana Babrauskienė, Miroslav Hajnoš, Violeta Jelić and Elena Sinkevičiūtė discussed how civil society organisations could play a more prominent role at European level and make their invaluable contributions even more effective.

We are already looking forward to next year, when the EESC Open Day will hopefully be back at its official premises, the Jacques Delors building in the EU district in Brussels. (mp)

The EU has some of the most stringent regulations in the world when it comes to using plant protection products (PPPs or pesticides) in agriculture. Much more can be done, however, to improve regulatory convergence to reduce the risks of using PPPs and to guarantee a healthy and safe food supply for an ever-growing world population.

As a contribution to the Commission's evaluation of Directive 2009/128/EC  on the sustainable use of pesticides (SUD), the EESC has adopted an information report on this topic.

More than 10 years after its implementation, it is essential to evaluate whether the Directive is fit for purpose.

While significant progress has been made on the handling and treatment of pesticides, the lack of adequate knowledge remains the main obstacle to the optimal use of PPPs.

Monitoring and enforcement of the law is also considered to be a weakness of the SUD, as well as the absence of effective penalties for Member States that do not comply with the rules.

Although European farmers remain strongly committed to moving towards more sustainable agricultural practices, there is also broad consensus on the lack of alternative solutions and new technologies that are sufficiently cost-effective to ensure ideal crop maintenance.

"We need a holistic and ambitious approach in order to create a legislative framework enabling us to deal with the use of pesticides in a coherent, consistent and scientific way," emphasised José Manuel Roche Ramo, EESC rapporteur. (mr)

With one of the EU's fundamental values frozen for over a year, the EU COVID-19 certificate, instead of the "Digital Green certificate" proposed by the Commission, paves the way for free and safe movement within Europe. The EESC welcomes the introduction of the certificate as an excellent common standard to minimise complexity for travellers and to facilitate their movement, as long as fundamental rights and data protection requirements are fully respected.

In its opinion, the EESC maintains that the certificate will make it easier for passengers to travel, but the proposed regulation does not establish an obligation or right to be vaccinated. "This certificate needs to be transparent and it needs to protect our private lives," stresses the rapporteur of the opinion, George Vernicos.

The certificate will provide proof not only of whether a person has been vaccinated, but it will also provide results of recent PCR tests and information on a person's recovery from a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The national authorities must ensure its swift implementation at no cost, with zero discrimination. The EESC also emphasises that the certificate must not lead to discrimination in the workplace or open the door to wage dumping by employing vaccinated people from third countries.

Special attention should be given to data protection, which makes it crucial for the Member States to have interoperable systems with equally strong data protection provisions. (at)

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a slowdown in the activity of many economic sectors and, at the same time, is giving rise to a significant shift in the global balance of power. In this context, the EU is looking for an appropriate strategy to strengthen its role as a global economic player, with policies aimed at boosting the international role of the euro, strengthening the resilience of EU financial market infrastructures and improving the implementation of sanctions imposed on third countries.

Against this backdrop, the European Commission has presented a Communication on The European economic and financial system: fostering openness, strength and resilience, aimed at better enabling Europe to play a leading role in the global economic and financial system, while protecting the EU from unfair and abusive practices of third countries and companies based in them. The content of this Communication was analysed in a public hearing organised by the European Economic and Social Committee with a view to drawing up an opinion on this matter.

In her keynote speech, Danuta Maria Hübner, Member of the European Parliament and rapporteur for a report on Strengthening the international role of the euro, explained that "geopolitical shifts and global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted the need for an enhanced resilience of the EU's economy" and said that "a stronger international role for the euro would tend to be supported by a more liquid financial system in the EU, which could also contribute to reducing vulnerability to future crises".

Tomasz Wróblewski, rapporteur for the EESC's opinion on The European economic and financial system: fostering openness, strength and resilience, summarised the main points of the debate: "We need bold and unconventional measures to strengthen the international role of the euro. This will be crucial for setting our economy on a growth path in the post-pandemic world". (dgf)

All across Europe, LGBTIQ individuals suffer from discrimination which affects their educational performance, job prospects, well-being and even the exercise of their fundamental rights, such as the freedom of movement within the EU.

To tackle this situation, the European Economic and Social Committee proposes in an opinion adopted at its April plenary session a non-discriminatory regulation of the notion of "family" at EU level.

The opinion welcomes the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025, adopted by the European Commission, which aims to reduce discrimination and ensure the safety and fundamental rights of LGTBI people in the EU through the adoption of legislative measures at European level.

The rapporteur of the opinion, Ionut Sibian, outlined the timeliness of the strategy and welcomed the courage of the European Commission in adopting this strategy "in a context in which homophobia and transphobia are on the rise at European level".

The adopted text calls for a definition of the notion of "family" recognised by all EU Member States to guarantee that the rights of so-called "rainbow families" are respected all across the EU, especially in cross-border situations. The EESC also urges the European Union to establish lines of action on active employment policies with the aim that Member States develop national employment plans that include specific measures for LGBTIQ people, and calls for the prohibition by all Member States of so-called "conversion" practices and therapies. (dgf)

The future of EU transport must be sustainable, social and smart: this is the challenge facing a sector which has undergone profound changes in recent years, as well as having been hit hard by the COVID‑19 pandemic. At the plenary debate on the Commission's new transport strategy, held on 28 April 2021, EESC president Christa Schweng pointed out that Europe needed a vision for a post-COVID-19 Europe; in transport, that vision would comprise sustainable, smart and resilient mobility.

On the same wavelength was Adina Vălean, European Commissioner for Transport, who stressed that the pandemic had not changed the Commission's overall vision for transport: that vision was firmly anchored in the EU Green Deal and based on the pillars of decarbonisation and digitalisation.

Overall, the EESC supports the general approach of aligning the Commission's Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy with the European Green Deal objectives. However, in the opinion drafted by Stefan Back and Tanja Buzek and adopted on 27 April 2021, it questions whether the approach strikes the right balance between technical and transport policy measures.

Many of the measures proposed with respect to sustainability and digitalisation have wide-ranging effects on the single market and transport workers. Unfortunately, the strategy does not pay enough attention to those aspects and this could undermine its successful implementation. In addition, a sustainable and digital transformation of EU transport will only be possible if the sector as a whole and the EU's related industrial base are made more competitive. (mp)

We need to stop the gaps between rural and urban areas from growing further and better coordinate policies so as to bridge them. The new CAP alone will not be sufficient to rebalance these interrelated areas. For Europe to truly tackle inequalities, we need to mobilise a wider set of policies and funding instruments.

In an Information Report adopted at its April plenary, the EESC provided a complementary evaluation at the request of the Commission on the extent to which the instruments and measures under the current EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2014-2020 have contributed to balanced territorial development in rural areas.

Based on consultations in five selected EU countries (France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy and Spain), the EESC has analysed how the CAP can better help to reduce the social and economic imbalances within rural areas.

While the CAP is the key policy for funding and maintaining employment in agriculture, other existing funding programmes, complementary to the CAP, have a critical role to play. However, coherence with other EU/national/local policies was assessed as not being optimal in terms of social policy, food policy, environmental policy, research and innovation, and trade. Environmental, economic and social sustainability must go hand in hand.

LEADER and Community-led local development (CLLD) were found to be potentially the most effective of all CAP measures. However, it needs to be resourced to a much greater extent and optimised. "Involving civil society organisations is key to ensuring the proper functioning of the programmes and to making sure that local needs are duly considered", pointed out EESC rapporteur Piroska Kállay.

The CAP measures did not have as positive an impact on employment in rural areas as most countries needed. In the countries visited, several stakeholders strongly highlighted the importance of  social conditionality."Labour rights and decent working conditions must therefore be guaranteed by social conditionality in CAP financing", concluded MS Kállay.

A Rural Development Observatory should also be established. (mr)

By the EESC Employers' Group

The European Commission unveiled its much-awaited Industrial strategy review this month. But, more than strategies, what companies need is swift action to help Europe regain its competitiveness and growth.

At the moment, Europe lags far behind the US and China when it comes to economic growth. And even though the European Commission's recent 2021 Spring Forecast seems more optimistic, employers are convinced that economic activity will not bounce back overnight to pre-crisis levels.

There is no secret to a return to growth and competitiveness. Recovery plans must address the gaps that the pandemic crisis has exposed. The over-reliance on certain supply chains must be addressed. We need more diversification to maintain and build on new competitiveness.

Furthermore, we need a more coherent innovation ecosystem that allows SMEs to participate and that improves access for regions that are less well-placed to bounce back from the severe economic consequences of the pandemic. Alongside innovation, industry needs cheap energy, through the development of new models for the electricity market and through the promotion of the energy transition to cleaner fuel.

Last but not least, people and businesses must take ownership of this transformational agenda for recovery. The process will gain speed only if people are willing to engage in the transition. We have no time to lose and no strategy will succeed unless it has society behind it.

So, now that we have the strategy, we need to recapture the sense of urgency to deliver change, especially if we want to achieve the highest growth and competitiveness rankings. This will be an uphill battle, but it is one that we must win.

Now, as the EESC is drawing up its opinion on Updating the new industrial strategy, led by rapporteur Sandra Parthie, we are confident that this work will provide valuable arguments to influence both the Parliament and the Council. That will allow us to move from strategy to action. (dv)

By the EESC Workers' Group

"The political momentum to push for stronger workers' participation rights is now", said Workers' Group president Oliver Röpke, referring to citizens' calls for more democracy in the Conference on the future of Europe and the political leaders' commitment at the Porto Social Summit to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan.

With these introductory words, Mr Röpke opened the first ever meeting of an EESC category attended by Workers' Group members, entitled "Workers' voice for more democratic participation", on 19 May 2021.

There is a need for a solid EU framework for mandatory information, consultation and participation of workers in corporate decision-making processes, as the key to a fair green and digital transition. This is highlighted by the serious threats to workers' participation rights, such as company restructuring, the relocation of jobs to Asia or the introduction of new technologies or AI processes, which may radically change job profiles within a company or make many workers redundant, without giving workers, who are those most affected by these changes, the chance to participate in decision-making.

Other threats, as several members reported, hinting to recent attacks on collective bargaining, stem from governments trying to restrict workers' rights and weaken the role of the social partners in economic and political decision-making. The creation of the Category coincides with an initiative from the European Parliament to strengthen democracy at work. Gabriele Bischoff, former Workers' Group President and EP rapporteur for the report "Democracy at work: A European framework for employees' participation rights and the revision of the European Works Council Directive", presented her text, which is currently in preparation, stressing that resilience and democracy at work were key elements of a sustainable company.

The Category will act as a forum for discussion of this issue with the EU institutions, social partners and other stakeholders, with the aim of placing the topic of more democracy at work high on the EU political agenda and encouraging its mainstreaming in the EESC's work. (prp)

By Séamus Boland, President of the Diversity Europe Group

The Conference on the Future of Europe provides opportunities for citizens and for civil society organisations to be heard and to shape the future. It also offers opportunities to bring about sustainable and people-centred change.

The Diversity Europe Group attaches special importance to three points:

Firstly, this process is an opportunity to shape the future! It is an opportunity to put civil society firmly in the driving seat! What we want to see come out of the Conference is a genuine recognition by European and national authorities that civil society organisations are guardians of the common good. That they are integral to identifying solutions. To acknowledge that civil society has a key role in building trust, shaping public opinions and acting as a positive agent of change.

Secondly, the Conference on the Future of Europe is an opportunity to bring about a mind-shift. A change in thinking, where the future and the post-COVID-19 recovery will go hand in hand with policy coherence and the Sustainable Development Goals. Poverty reduction is, of course, the first objective of the SDGs and must be at the heart of our future.

Thirdly, any discussion on the future of the EU has to bear in mind that the COVID-19 pandemic has nurtured greater respect among citizens for the values of solidarity, social justice, inter-generational cooperation, gender equality and just green and digital transitions. Now is the time to leverage public support for those values, in order to re-think our growth and governance models. To build a more equal society based on citizens' well-being. To embrace new definitions of well-being and development beyond GDP, while also respecting citizens' opinions and rights.

Make your voice heard: https://futureu.europa.eu/

#TheFutureIsYours

The EESC has published a new brochure on "Respect and dignity at the EESC" that can be found here.

The brochure provides information about the revised Code of Conduct adopted in January and gives practical advice on respectful and ethical behaviour at the EESC, how to avoid situations of harassment and whom to contact if necessary, including the Ethical Committee.

This publication demonstrates that the EESC remains strongly committed to high ethical principles, integrity and modern, transparent working methods. (mwj)