EESC info

Priorities including housing, competitiveness, tech regulation, and more effectively including citizens in democratic decision-making among areas of joint work launched.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the EU body representing organised civil society, officially launched its cooperation with the Irish Government for the upcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union at a high-level event in Dublin Castle. The event brought together Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne TD and EESC President Séamus Boland.

The Irish Government has asked the EESC to contribute to several key presidency priorities, including housing, competitiveness, digital regulation, tackling poverty and the EU's approach to livestock policy. The aim is to ensure that the perspectives of civil society, employers and workers are reflected in EU policy-making. The presidency is particularly significant as it will coincide with the first Irish presidency of the EESC.

The Taoiseach highlighted the importance of dialogue between governments and society, stating: 'The ability of governments, employers, trade unions and organised civil society to engage constructively with one another is fundamental to democratic stability and to effective policy-making. The EESC is a vital link between civil society and the European institutions.'

He added: 'The voice of civil society matters. It matters because Europe cannot succeed through institutions alone. It succeeds when citizens feel ownership of the European project – when workers, farmers, entrepreneurs, voluntary organisations and local communities all feel that they have a stake in shaping Europe’s future.'

Minister Byrne underscored the role of citizen engagement in the presidency's priorities of competitiveness, security and values. 'Europe succeeds when people feel heard and represented. The work of the EESC remains central to that effort,' he said, adding that the Committee plays a valuable role in ensuring that a wide range of societal voices are heard in European decision-making.

EESC President Séamus Boland welcomed the shared agenda: 'I am very pleased that these areas of joint engagement – from democratic participation and equality, to competitiveness, small businesses, housing and digital fairness – reflect an EU Council Presidency that seeks to combine economic ambition with a strong social and citizen-centred dimension.' He added that the Committee particularly appreciates the emphasis on inclusive policy-making and democratic resilience.

As part of this cooperation, the EESC will prepare eight exploratory opinions for the Irish presidency covering democratic participation, equality and competitiveness, the EU livestock strategy, inter-generational poverty, simplification, the Single Market Strategy, the Digital Fairness Act and affordable housing construction. These opinions will support policy discussions and legislative work during the presidency.

The programme also included an exchange of views on the Irish presidency with Minister Byrne and a discussion on Maintaining Core Values in a New Europe, featuring representatives of business, trade unions, farming organisations, youth groups, environmental organisations and wider civil society.

The EESC is urging the EU to adopt a dedicated long-term strategy and boost funding for its eastern border regions, warning that they face growing security, economic and demographic pressures that existing policies cannot fully address. In an opinion adopted at its June plenary, the EESC calls for regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine to be recognised as strategic frontlines rather than peripheral areas. 

It recommends that there be a dedicated funding stream in the next EU budget, more investment in transport, energy and digital infrastructure, measures to boost competitiveness and address demographic decline, and greater involvement of local authorities and civil society.

"The challenges require more than incremental reform and call for a long-term strategic framework beyond the current budget cycle", said rapporteur Katrina Zarina. Co-rapporteur Ionut Sibian added that eastern border regions were "strategic assets whose resilience underpins EU security, cohesion and long-term prosperity". The plenary debate featured Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Finance Neringa Rinkevičiūtė-Laurinaitienė, and European Commission Deputy Director-General Hugo Sobral, who all stressed the strategic importance of strengthening the EU's eastern frontier. The EESC argues that investing in these regions is essential not only for their development, but also for Europe's security, resilience and long-term prosperity. More.

Ahead of the UN Water Conference 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a plenary debate with the EU Commissioner for Environment and Water Resilience, Jessika Roswall. The EESC calls for water to be treated as a strategic resource for Europe’s economy, security and global role.

The debate comes as water stress increases across Europe, putting pressure on supply chains, infrastructure and industrial production. In response to this, the Committee is calling for a shift in how water is framed in EU policy, from a mainly environmental concern to a strategic resource for competitiveness and resilience.

European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall echoed this broader approach, saying: ‘Water is not only an environmental priority, but also a vital ingredient for our competitiveness, preparedness, resilience and overall security. We need a sustained and cross-sectoral effort to solve our water challenges in Europe with all partners around the table.’

From a broader development perspective, Member of the European Parliament, vice-chair of the Committee on Development (DEVE) and chair of the MEP Water Group Hildegard Bentele, added: ‘Water must be treated as a cross-cutting issue at the heart of sustainable development. It underpins health, food security, energy and economic growth, yet water insecurity is already a major constraint in many regions. We know what needs to be done, but we are still not acting at the pace required.’

At EU level, the EESC has been pushing for this shift for several years through its EU Blue Deal initiative, which seeks to place water at the centre of industrial, economic and climate policy. 

This work was reinforced at the Committee’s June plenary, where it adopted two opinions aimed at strengthening water resilience in Europe and clarifying the EU’s role in global water governance:

• Blue Deal Accelerator – technology, skills and finance for a water-resilient future
• EESC Contribution to the UN Water Conference 2026: from the EU Blue Deal and Water Resilience Strategy to global water action

EESC President Séamus Boland underlined the urgency of this agenda: ‘The Committee has delivered multiple opinions to help develop a comprehensive EU water policy. Without water, there is no life, no economy and no other policy to defend. This is why we call for a water test in EU legislation and for water to be made a strategic priority in the next multiannual financial framework.’

In December 2026, the EESC will join the EU delegation to the UN Water Conference for the first time, marking a new phase in its role in global water governance.

UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation, Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, said: ‘The UN Water Conference should become a more regular process. The UN has been too weak in this area, leaving space for private interests. At a time of growing attacks on multilateralism, Europe must promote the institutionalisation of this conference and ensure a human rights-based approach to water.’

To support the preparatory process, the EESC will host a dedicated civil society event on 15 September 2026 to gather input ahead of the conference. 

The Committee will continue working with EU institutions and international partners to ensure the EU arrives at the UN Water Conference with a clear, ambitious and practicable agenda. (gb)

The EESC is calling for a stronger role for the social partners and civil society in shaping national reforms through the European Semester. In an information report and resolution adopted at its June plenary, the EESC proposes a European code for structured consultations and mandatory assessments of partnership practices to improve transparency, participation and democratic legitimacy. 

Based on consultations involving stakeholders from all 27 Member States, the EESC report found broad support for the 2025 country-specific recommendations but highlights persistent implementation gaps, insufficient stakeholder involvement and an imbalance between economic priorities and social objectives. 'We reiterate our call for the establishment of a European code setting out how to conduct consultations within the framework of the European Semester,' said rapporteur Gonçalo Lobo Xavier. Rapporteur Andrea Mone stressed that stronger government action is needed to improve the design, implementation and evaluation of reforms, while rapporteur Luca Jahier said that closer links between the European Semester and the next EU budget should preserve 'flexibility, multilevel governance and national ownership' and rely on positive incentives rather than punitive conditionality. The EESC also supports closer links between the European Semester and the next EU long-term budget, provided safeguards protect subsidiarity, national ownership and democratic accountability. It advocates positive incentives to support reforms rather than punitive conditionality, arguing that stronger partnerships with the social partners and civil society are essential for more effective policy-making. More here.

The EESC has called for the European Semester to evolve into a more results-oriented framework that strengthens sustainable competitiveness, social inclusion and economic resilience while ensuring that reforms deliver tangible benefits for citizens. 

Speaking at the Annual European Semester Group Conference on 30 June, participants stressed that the Semester will play a key role in linking national reforms and investments with the next EU long-term budget. 

'The European Semester should evolve beyond a coordination mechanism into a genuine delivery framework,' said European Semester Group president Gonçalo Lobo Xavier. EESC President Seamus Boland added that lasting European prosperity depends on advancing 'prosperity, economic resilience and social cohesion together', while ECO section president Elena Calistru stressed the need for a coherent framework that better connects reforms, investments and public resources. The conference also highlighted the importance of strengthening the role of the social partners and civil society, arguing that meaningful stakeholder participation is essential for effective economic governance and the successful implementation of future EU reforms and investments. More here. 

Europe will need significantly more investment if it wants to secure the critical raw materials required for its green, digital and defence transitions, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) warned in an opinion adopted at its June plenary session.

The opinion responds to the European Commission's RESourceEU Action Plan, which seeks to reduce Europe's dependence on imported raw materials and strengthen strategic supply chains. The EESC supports the initiative but argues that its objectives will be difficult to achieve unless Europe tackles the competitiveness and investment challenges facing the sector.

The issue has become increasingly urgent in recent years. Materials such as lithium, cobalt, copper and rare earths are essential for batteries, renewable energy technologies, digital infrastructure and defence systems. As global demand grows and geopolitical tensions reshape supply chains, access to these resources is becoming a strategic economic and industrial challenge for Europe.

Today, much of Europe's supply depends on a limited number of countries. The EU is therefore seeking to diversify its sources, strengthen domestic production and develop more resilient value chains. According to the EESC, achieving those goals will require far greater investment than is currently on the table.

While welcoming the Commission's proposal to mobilise EUR 3 billion, the Committee believes that financing needs are substantially higher and should be reflected in the next EU long-term budget.

The EESC argues that improving competitiveness must be a priority. High energy costs continue to weigh on European industry, particularly in critical raw materials sectors where energy-intensive processes play a central role. The opinion therefore calls for measures to lower energy costs, support long-term renewable power contracts and facilitate industrial electrification.

The opinion also emphasises that strategic projects need public trust. Faster permitting procedures may help speed up investment, but simplification should remain administrative and must not weaken environmental protection, workers' rights or public participation. Members also highlighted the importance of transparency, accountability and the involvement of local communities.

For the Committee, the debate ultimately goes beyond raw materials. Europe's ability to compete in clean technologies, digital industries and strategic sectors will depend on whether it can secure the resources that underpin them. (gb)

At its June plenary, the EESC adopted the opinion on the Digital Networks Act (DNA), drawn up by Maurizio Mensi. The opinion throws its support behind the European Commission proposal to boost the EU’s connectivity and says that the Digital Networks Act will only be successful if it delivers secure, resilient and inclusive connectivity that truly works for Europe’s people, businesses and regions.

The EESC underlines that the telecommunications sector plays a vital role and, with the Commission’s proposal, the EU is carrying out a much needed and proportionate update of its framework for electronic communications.

‘The Digital Networks Act is a strategic intervention with direct implications for competitiveness, security and the ability of organised civil society to operate in a genuine single market,’ said Mr Mensi. ‘It is a significant step in the reform process of European connectivity, with the end goal of setting a more modern, harmonised and investment-friendly regulatory framework for the Union’s digital networks.’

The EESC singles out three points in particular: 

1) Security and simplification

First, the Digital Networks Act must offer both security and simplification through a proportionate and risk-based approach which updates and strengthens resilience. Simplification is not the opposite of security but a prerequisite for effectively putting it into practice.

2) Governance

Second, to avoid overlaps and institutional duplication, the Committee calls for a clear allocation of competences between the Office for Digital Networks (ODN), the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), the Radio Spectrum Policy Body (RSPB) and the national regulatory authorities (NRAs).

3) Transparency

Third, the governance framework must ensure transparency and participation, a structured dialogue with social partners and civil society, and a consistent implementation across the EU Member States. (mp)

The June plenary session saw the adoption of the opinion on Implementing the New European Bauhaus by Rudolf Kolbe. At a time when the EU is facing a housing crisis compounded by rising energy costs and a number of social fractures in terms of income, age and origin, it is important to set out practical solutions.

‘The New European Bauhaus is one of the EU’s most ambitious recent initiatives. And let me be clear: this is not a building programme nor a design trend. It connects the European Green Deal with people’s everyday lives through three values: sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics,’ said Mr Kolbe. ‘My conclusion is simple: the time to act is now. And civil society must be fully part of it, so that the New European Bauhaus becomes everyday practice, everywhere.’

In the opinion, the EESC sets out some key recommendations to successfully apply the concepts of the New European Bauhaus. To tackle the housing crisis, it is essential to upgrade isolated pilot projects to widespread and adaptable solutions which are specific to the different territories.

1) Developing key performance indicators (KPIs)

The EESC recognises that the New European Bauhaus has an added value in translating policy objectives into tangible, people-centred solutions, while fostering green innovation and enhancing competitiveness. For this reason, it is important to measure the extent to which its values and principles are reflected in new and revised EU policies and regulatory acts. This objective can be achieved by developing key performance indicators (KPIs) assessing horizontal cross-cutting implementation.

2) Revision of the Public Procurement Directives

In the upcoming revision of the Public Procurement Directives, public authorities must give priority to life-cycle and quality criteria for services shaping the built environment, enabling innovation and circularity.

3) Sustainable, affordable and quality housing policies

The New European Bauhaus and affordable housing policies are inseparable. One without the other simply does not work. The next step to implementing the New European Bauhaus must therefore focus on investment in sustainable, affordable and quality housing, using the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the renovation wave as key levers. (mp)

On Thursday 2 July 2026, members of all 15 EU Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs) and representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament met at the EESC to discuss the evolving role of organised civil society in the implementation of EU trade agreements and to ensure that sustainability commitments are effectively monitored and followed up.

Global trade is facing growing pressure amid geopolitical tensions and increasing economic fragmentation. Against this backdrop, participants in the fifth meeting of the annual DAGs meeting examined how DAGs can remain effective and influential while the EU's network of trade agreements continues to expand, increasing demands on implementation, monitoring and civil society engagement.

As global trade undergoes a profound and fast-paced transformation, the role of the DAGs is more important than ever, said Stefano Palmieri, president of the EESC's Section for External Relations (REX) as he opened the meeting. 'DAGs are not an accessory to trade policy; they are central to making trade agreements credible, sustainable and accountable in practice.'

Tanja Buzek, vice-president of REX, EESC DAG Coordinator and Chair of the EU DAG for Canada, highlighted that DAG members help identify concerns on the ground and provide advice on labour, environmental, social, economic and sustainability commitments. She noted that 'this role is being extended beyond traditional Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapters to the monitoring of the agreement as a whole.'

'DAGs function as our early-warning mechanism. They help identify implementation gaps and assess how developments affect workers, businesses and communities. They have become an indispensable tool for the proper implementation of our trade agreements,' said Bernd Lange, Chair of the European Parliament Committee on International Trade (INTA).

While acknowledging the challenging trade environment, Sofia Muñoz Albarrán, DG Trade, European Commission, said that the effective implementation of trade agreements relies on the role of civil society and reaffirmed the commitment to DAGs.

A series of parallel breakout sessions saw participants discuss practical ways to strengthen the effectiveness, visibility and impact of DAGs. Topics included the use of the TSD complaints mechanism under DG TRADE's Single Entry Point (SEP), civil society engagement in emerging EU trade-related arrangements such as critical raw materials partnerships, the future structure and communication strategies of an expanding DAG network and opportunities for enhanced cooperation with the European Parliament on implementation, monitoring, topics of common interest and political follow-up to DAG recommendations and concerns. (pm)

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held an experts’ debate on the European battery industry. It called for urgent, coordinated action to strengthen Europe's battery ecosystem and secure its industrial future. By combining strategic investment, innovation, industrial capacity and social responsibility, the battery transition could become a genuine European success story.

The goal was to advance policy discussions on making Europe’s battery manufacturing industry stronger, with a focus on the strategic potential of sodium batteries. 

Alain Coheur, President of the EESC's Consultative Committee for Industrial Change (known by its French abbreviation, CCMI), pointed out that ‘Europe’s battery industry faces significant challenges, including intense global competition, high production costs, vulnerabilities in the supply chain and growing technological rivalry. Yet batteries are not just another industrial product. They are a key enabling technology for industrial change, whether from the perspective of decarbonisation, energy security or industrial leadership.’ 

Sodium batteries are emerging as an alternative to traditional lithium-ion systems in various strategic sectors. They are crucial for EU energy independence and competitiveness in the global market. Not only are sodium batteries a more environmentally friendly option, but they also offer Europe the opportunity to create an ecosystem that integrates research, industry and workforce development. 

However, participants in the CCMI debate cautioned against viewing sodium-ion batteries as the immediate answer to Europe’s battery needs, noting that widespread deployment was still some way off. 

Although China is currently far ahead of its competitors, accounting for nearly 99% of global production capacity, speakers argued that the race was far from over. This was because the technology behind sodium batteries was still in the early stages of development and the foundations of future industrial leadership had yet to be firmly established. 

This leaves Europe with a rare opportunity. Unlike in the lithium-ion sector, where Asian manufacturers secured a dominant position early on, the sodium-ion industry has yet to produce a clear long-term winner. Europe is in a position to carve out a leading role if it acts decisively.

Achieving that EU ambition for sodium batteries will depend on more than technological progress alone. Speakers emphasised the need for a coherent European battery roadmap. This would transform the goals set out in the European Commission’s Battery Booster Strategy into tangible measures across the entire value chain, from innovation and manufacturing to recycling and skills development.

The speakers also strongly felt that this Strategy had to be backed by a credible long-term financing plan, with stronger support from both the Commission and Member States, including through the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Moreover, the ‘Made in Europe’ label should stand for high-quality products and robust social and environmental standards, as well as for industrial competitiveness.  (at)

At its June plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted an opinion evaluating the implementation of the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive. While the Directive has strengthened legal protections and established reporting channels across the EU, the EESC warns that significant gaps remain between legal provisions and their practical application. 

Drawing on evidence from Denmark, France, Italy, Latvia and Romania, the evaluation found that implementation remains uneven across Member States and that practical obstacles continue to discourage reporting. Stakeholders highlighted uncertainty about procedures, inconsistent enforcement and delays in handling cases, while fear of retaliation remains one of the main reasons individuals choose not to come forward. 

The EESC acknowledges that the Directive has marked an important step forward by strengthening protection mechanisms, establishing multiple reporting channels and increasing cooperation between competent authorities. However, more action is needed to ensure that whistleblowers receive effective protection in practice. 

‘The European Commission has identified significant delays in transposition and numerous gaps in national implementation. This risks compromising the effectiveness of the Directive and creating legal uncertainty for those wishing to report violations of European Union law.

It is essential to promote a true culture of legality and transparency. In many contexts, those who report irregularities or violations are still perceived negatively. Instead, we must recognise the civic value of whistleblowers, who contribute to the protection of the public interest, democracy and fundamental rights,’ said EESC rapporteur Giulia Barbucci. 

The Committee calls for stronger safeguards against retaliation, including preventive measures, financial assistance and access to independent advice. It also urges Member States to allocate sufficient resources to the authorities responsible for whistleblowing procedures, improve professional training and ensure reporting systems are independent, confidential and accessible. The EESC further recommends exploring shared reporting mechanisms to help smaller organisations meet their obligations. 

The opinion highlights the important role of trade unions, civil society organisations and the media in supporting whistleblowers and promoting transparency. The EESC advocates their closer involvement in designing and monitoring whistleblowing systems. Beyond legal reforms, it also calls for awareness-raising, better information on whistleblowers’ rights and improved data collection to assess the effectiveness of existing measures and identify remaining weaknesses.(lm)

On 30 June, the European Economic and Social Committee initiative ‘Empowering youth voices through the EESC Youth Test’ joined three other finalists in the‘ Excellence in diversity and inclusion’ category at the ceremony for the Ombudsman Award for Good Administration. Amidst the shortlisted projects, the winning recognition was awarded to the DiscoverEU Inclusion Action, a European Commission initiative dedicated to opening Europe to young people with fewer opportunities.

The EESC was represented at the ceremony by Vice-President Marija Hanževački, President of the EESC Youth Group Nicoletta Merlo and Secretary-General Isabelle Le Galo Flores. Emphasising the strategic importance of the nomination, Ms Hanževački underlined that youth participation in EU decision-making must become a necessity: ‘They are our present and future. We must remember: nothing about them, without them.’ 

Entries were drawn from 48 nominations and evaluated based on their demonstration of good public administration, a culture of service and a commitment to improving the lives of citizens. Following this review, three finalists were selected for each award category. 

During the ceremony, European Ombudswoman Teresa Anjinho underscored the originality and innovation of the projects, stating: ‘This year’s nominations highlighted the quality of the work of the EU institutions with projects clearly driven by dedication and a strong commitment to public service and good administration.’ 

The EESC Youth Test enables youth organisations to shape the EESC’s agenda and opinions. The initiative was co-created with the European Youth Forum, and has made made the EESC the first EU institution to introduce a structured mechanism for involving young people directly in its core advisory work. At the heart of the Youth Test is a network of 73 youth organisations from across Europe and beyond. Every month, these organisations can express an interest in upcoming EESC opinions. Based on this input, the EESC section bureau select opinions to be ‘youth tested’. Youth representatives then participate in study group meetings, providing concrete contributions that feed directly into the opinion-drafting process.

Since its launch, over 80 EESC opinions have been youth tested. The initiative has also inspired institutional change, with the European Commission introducing its own Youth Check, and other administrations at EU, national, regional and local level looking to the EESC as a reference point for meaningful youth participation.

Undermining democracy will not make the European Union more competitive. In an increasingly challenging geopolitical landscape, building resilience to disinformation, fostering critical thinking and empowering civil society are essential to safeguarding European values, an EESC conference for civil society communicators concluded. 

‘In defence of European values: The Power of Civil Society’ was the theme of the Connecting EU seminar held by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Economic and Social Council of the Republic of Bulgaria in Sofia on 6 to 7 July. The event examined how Europe can uphold its core values amid growing geopolitical uncertainty, economic pressures and declining public trust in democratic institutions. 

‘Can Europe align competitiveness and the social model that has long set it apart? Can its democracy withstand growing pressure from foreign interference, disinformation and populism? And if democracy is not something we can take for granted, how do we defend it? After all, democracy survives only if people believe it can still improve their lives,’ said Marija Hanževački, the EESC Vice-President for Communication, opening the seminar.

During the opening session, EESC President Séamus Boland stressed the central role of democratic participation and civil society: ‘Democracy weakens when citizens feel unheard, when public debate becomes polarised and when civil society is pushed to the margins.’ He added: ‘The answer cannot ever be less democracy. The answer must be deeper democracy: defending independent media, protecting civic space and supporting social and civil dialogue.’ 

Zornitsa Roussinova, President of the Economic and Social Council of Bulgaria, highlighted how the council had helped counter disinformation during the debate on Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro by providing reliable information through the media. 

In a keynote speech, journalist and author Dave Keating argued that Europe remained overly dependent on the United States and called for deeper European integration and a stronger sense of European identity to strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy. 

The first panel, Europe’s New Economic Compass: Balancing Competitiveness, Social Rights and Sustainability, brought together representatives of the EESC’s three groups. While participants agreed that Europe must become more competitive, views differed on how to achieve this. Some argued for simplifying regulation to support businesses, while others warned that competitiveness should not come at the expense of social rights, environmental protections or living standards.

The second panel, Europe’s Democratic Compass: Can Trust and Resilience Be Restored?, focused on disinformation and manipulation in the digital sphere. Antoinette Nikolova, Director of the Balkan Free Media Initiative, presented research on online manipulation during Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections. Speakers stressed the importance of media literacy, critical thinking and stronger civil society engagement to counter increasingly sophisticated disinformation campaigns. 

The seminar concluded with interactive sessions on artificial intelligence in communication. David Grunewald, AI strategist and trainer, advocated the use of European AI models to strengthen data sovereignty, resilience and long-term economic competitiveness.