Dear readers,

May is traditionally the month when we take stock of the progress made in European integration and at the same time look to the future.

On Sunday 9 May, as every year, we celebrated Europe with a special day full of activities. For the second year in a row, we held a completely virtual version of our institution's Open Day, showcasing the EESC's invaluable contribution to the EU decision-making process and explaining why, especially in these difficult and challenging times, civil society organisations play a key and unique role in the EU.

Europe Day marks the date of the Schuman Declaration, when it all began for today's European Union 71 years ago, and is first and foremost a celebration of peace and unity in Europe. It is an opportunity to feel a sense of togetherness and being part of something bigger, but also the chance for all of us to reflect on what solidarity has built so far and what we hope to achieve in the future. We must not forget that the greatest challenges that we face as a society require us to work together.

Europe Day is also a time to reflect on today's heroes: medical staff, teachers, social workers, cleaning staff and all those involved in fighting the dramatic consequences of the pandemic. But also associations, organisations and NGOs working hard every day on the frontline to improve people's lives. In short, we think of the entire range of organised civil society.

When we talk about civil society organisations, we are talking about us, the EESC, the home of EU organised civil society, the EU body which gives a voice to all these organisations and makes it possible for them to have a direct impact on EU legislation.

We particularly value their contribution and for this reason, at the Committee, we flag up excellence in civil society initiatives every year through the Civil Society Prize. The 2021 edition will focus on climate action and will reward those effective, innovative and creative projects which aim to promote a just transition towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy. I encourage everybody to take a look at the terms for applying and submit your application without hesitation. The deadline is 30 June 2021.

On 9 May, we also looked to the future, contributing to the historic launch of the Conference on the Future of Europe, which will bring together all the ideas and visions for our continent. This is extremely important, because it is where people will be able to express their views and, through a number of citizen-led dialogues, shape our common European destiny.

At the moment, the Union's democratic institutions are facing a double challenge: striving to tackle the economic and health crisis on the one hand, while retaining citizens' support on the other. Against this backdrop, claims that the EU is not listening to its citizens have highlighted the need to boost dialogue and give civil society in Europe a broader public space in which to have its say.

The role of our institution has never been so crucial: we all know that giving a voice to civil society is a key factor in overcoming the difficult times that Europe is facing today. The Conference on the Future of Europe is therefore a vital opportunity for civil society to mobilise and make sure its voice is heard, stepping up participation. And that is exactly the point: participatory democracy. The two go hand in hand: there is no democracy without participation and there is no participation without active civil society organisations.

The Committee has a responsibility and fundamental role in establishing and nourishing the bedrock of our democracies: a civil dialogue that is as broad and participatory as possible. Through our structure, our members' hands-on knowledge and expertise, and our role as a bridge between the EU institutions on one hand and the grass-roots level on the other, we are ready to put forward the most fitting responses to today's challenges in society.

Now more than ever, civil society organisations are playing an essential role in Europe, from their involvement in the recovery to their vital work in dealing with our day-to-day challenges.

Now more than ever, the EESC is making a difference.

Cillian Lohan

EESC vice-president for communication