EESC info

At its plenary session on 17 July, the EESC held an enlargement forum focusing on Building an inclusive future in the Enlarged EU: The role of social dialogue, civil society and youth engagement. The civil society representatives from candidate countries commended the Committee’s Enlargement Candidate Members initiative as a vital tool for shaping their countries’ European integration process and bolstering public support for EU accession.

The event opened with a high-level debate featuring Maida Gorčević, Minister for European Affairs in Montenegro, Orhan Murtezani, Minister for European Affairs in North Macedonia, and Antoine Kasel, Director for Labour Mobility and International Affairs at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.

The forum brought together approximately 75 representatives from social partners and civil society organisations across the EU candidate countries. It formed part of the EESC’s pioneering Enlargement Candidate Members Initiative (ECM). The project’s success has already led to additional financial backing by the European Commission for its reinforcement and permanent implementation.

EESC President Oliver Röpke said: ‘We are trying to build a successful enlargement that puts civil society in the driving seat. Enlargement is not simply a geopolitical strategy: it is a promise to uphold democracy, rights and dignity for all.’

The Minister for European Affairs of Montenegro, Ms Gorčević, highlighted the close cooperation between the government and civil society organisations in the accession process and stressed that ‘citizens are more likely to support reforms when they see members of their civil society organisations actively engaged in government policy.’

On the other hand, the Minister for European Affairs in North Macedonia, Mr Murtezani, described his country’s story as complex but transformative and added that ‘it is not easy to wait in line for 20 years, but this could be the example of resilience and persistence in achieving the final goal.’

Moved by the optimism and enthusiasm shown by the representatives of the candidate countries, Mr Kasel of the European Commission said: ‘Talking to young people is key in this process, as building social dialogue and dialogue with the EU institutions is a matter of trust.’

The EESC opinion The importance of institutionalising civil and social dialogue in EU candidate and partner countries, adopted following the discussions in the forum, calls for a genuine civil and social dialogue which must be a central pillar of the enlargement process.

The EESC members and rapporteurs for the opinion, Ionuţ Sibian, Decebal-Ștefăniță Pădure and Dumitru Fornea, stressed that a structured and properly institutionalised civil and social dialogue is essential for ensuring stability, economic development and social cohesion in candidate and partner countries. (mt)

The EESC’s July plenary session hosted a debate on the political priorities of the current Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which started on 1 July and will come to an end on 31 December 2025. Under the motto ‘A strong Europe in a changing world’, the Danish Council Presidency will work for a secure, competitive and green EU, making sure that the EU takes more ownership of its own security and strengthens its competitiveness.

Europe is currently undergoing significant change, with uncertainty, global competition and increased conflict in a number of areas. ‘For this reason – said Marie Bjerre, Denmark’s Minister of European Affairs – we need a strong, competitive and green Europe. A Europe that is able to take responsibility for its own security. And a Europe that is able to innovate and compete at global level. Supporting Ukraine and moving forward on enlargement will be key’.

For his part, EESC President Oliver Röpke stressed that ‘the Danish presidency arrives at a defining moment for Europe. Its priorities on security, competitiveness and the green transition closely align with the EESC’s core concerns. We stand ready to provide practical expertise and reflect the voices of Europe’s organised civil society in support of a resilient, values-based Europe that is connected to its people.’ (mp)

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has underlined its role as a frontrunner in youth participation, with EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef praising the body’s pioneering Youth Test during a debate in Brussels.

Speaking at the EESC’s July plenary session, Mr Micallef – Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport – said the Committee was showing how young people could be treated not just as consultees but as equal partners in shaping EU policy.

‘The challenges of housing, mental health, quality education and youth employment are not future concerns: they are today’s priorities. Trust from young people is not automatic; it must be earned with real power and responsibility’, he said.

The Youth Test, launched in September 2024, examines whether new EESC opinions adequately reflect young people’s needs. To date, 40 opinions have undergone the process, with 27 adopted, and more than 70 youth organisations from across the EU and candidate countries are now involved. The initiative has inspired the European Commission’s own forthcoming Youth Check in 2025, and has already been recognised by both the Commission and Parliament.

Commissioner Micallef pointed to new measures, including a proposed 50% increase in the Erasmus+ budget, as evidence of the Commission’s determination to move from consultation to concrete policies.

Oliver Röpke, president of the EESC, said the EESC’s Youth Group had been vital in driving change: ‘We must ensure that young and older people alike can fully participate in society and the economy. The future of Europe is not something we wait for – it’s something we build together’.

Set up in 2023, the Youth Group – made up of 12 EESC members – oversees the Youth Test and coordinates youth involvement across EU policy-making. Its president, Katrīna Leitāne, said the project had been demanding but was already ‘resonating across Europe’.

Youth leaders also pressed for deeper reforms. Rareș Voicu, head of the European Youth Forum, urged the EU to make the Youth Check a formal part of its Better Regulation toolbox, while Ozer Sahoglu, from the EESC president’s Youth Advisory Council, warned of worsening poverty, unaffordable housing and underfunded education and said that ‘young people must be prioritised, not just heard’.

The EESC has a long track record of youth initiatives, including its Youth Delegate to COP scheme and the Your Europe, Your Say! programme. Its COP delegate scheme, launched in 2021, remains unique at EU level and drew almost 500 applications this year. (ks) 

In July 2025, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted a pivotal opinion urging the European Commission to develop a comprehensive EU strategy to support, protect and empower civil society. This comes amid growing threats to democratic values and shrinking civic space in several Member States.

The EESC’s strategy proposes three pillars:

1. A safe and enabling environment – legal protections and safeguards to prevent erosion of civic space
2. Sustainable and independent funding – multiannual, flexible financial support and removal of legal and administrative hurdles
3. Strengthened civic participation – a new interinstitutional agreement and a civil society platform hosted by the EESC to foster dialogue on democracy, rights and the rule of law.

‘Civil society is a cornerstone of democracy. We must ensure it has the space, resources and recognition it needs to thrive,’ said rapporteurs Pietro Barbieri, Peter Schmidt and Christa Schweng.

The proposed platform would host annual conferences, monitor progress via a scoreboard and biennial reports and be piloted jointly by the European Commission, the EESC and its Liaison Group.

Positioning itself as the EU’s ‘house of participatory democracy’, the EESC calls for regular reviews with the Commission, stronger engagement from the European Parliament and Council, and clear benchmarks to assess the quality of civil dialogue.

The opinion affirms that civil society is central to democratic renewal. By investing in structured dialogue and empowering CSOs, the EU can build a more inclusive and resilient EU. (lm)

At its July 2025 plenary, the EESC adopted a landmark opinion urging the European Commission to develop a robust, rights-based EU Anti-Poverty Strategy. Poverty is framed not as an economic by-product but as a systemic injustice and a violation of fundamental rights.

The strategy calls for a multidimensional approach – addressing not only material deprivation but also social, psychological and gender-based inequalities. It proposes ambitious targets, including halving poverty by 2030 and improving measurement tools like AROPE and EU-SILC.

‘21% of people living in the richest part of the world are experiencing poverty: this is extremely unjust and a serious blow to human dignity. The aim of the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy should therefore be the eradication of poverty – here and now!’, said rapporteur Krzysztof Balon.

‘National governments need to finally take responsibility and step up measures to tackle poverty. Work should provide a solid foundation, which is why we call for active labour market policies, quality jobs and living wages. At the same time, access to services of general interest – such as water, electricity, housing and healthcare – should be guaranteed,’ co-rapporteur Sophia Reisecker stated.

The EESC supports full implementation of the Council Recommendation on Adequate Minimum Income and urges action on non-take-up of benefits due to administrative and digital barriers.

The opinion highlights growing in-work poverty and calls for fair wages, secure contracts and inclusive labour market policies. It also advocates lifelong learning and equal opportunities amid green and digital transitions.

Universal access to services is key, with support for the European Child Guarantee and an EU homelessness strategy. The EESC warns against digital exclusion and energy poverty, calling for inclusive national plans.

Intersectional vulnerabilities – linked to gender, migration, disability and age – require better data and anti-discrimination safeguards. The Committee opposes criminalising poverty and calls for equal access to justice.

To ensure impact, the EESC proposes appointing an EU Anti-Poverty Coordinator, aligning funding with progressive taxation and involving affected communities in policy-making.

With over 93 million EU citizens at risk, the EESC calls for bold, coordinated action to build a fairer, more inclusive Europe. (lm)

The EESC has adopted recommendations to tackle Europe’s cost-of-living crisis, stressing the need for both immediate relief and long-term reforms. Rising energy bills, soaring food prices and unaffordable housing are hitting households hard, exposing structural weaknesses in Europe’s economic and social systems.

In its opinion, which is part of a broader EESC package, the EESC calls for urgent EU and national action to protect vulnerable groups, promote fairness and strengthen resilience. 'Although inflation has started to slow, prices remain well above pre-crisis levels. This is hitting not only the most vulnerable but also the backbone of our society,' warned rapporteur Thomas Kattnig.

The EESC argues that short-term support must be combined with structural change, highlighting five key areas: ensuring access to essential services such as housing, energy and healthcare; reforming energy markets and phasing out fossil fuel subsidies; rebuilding Europe's industrial base and supply resilience; simplifying regulation to cut costs without lowering standards; and providing targeted social support, including minimum income schemes and rent subsidies.

The opinion places emphasis on housing, with rapporteur Krzysztof Balon urging a large-scale increase in affordable and social housing and more flexible EU State aid rules. Employment and skills are also central, with calls for fair wages, inclusive policies, support for the social economy and lifelong learning opportunities.

It also stresses the need for a future-ready economy. Rapporteur Krister Andersson underlined that strengthening the single market, promoting investment and managing the green and digital transitions fairly are vital to competitiveness and cohesion. (tk)

The EESC has called for urgent action on Europe’s housing crisis, warning that rising rents and house prices are undermining social inclusion, labour mobility and economic competitiveness. In a recent opinion, it argued that affordable housing must become a cornerstone of EU cohesion policy.

Between 2015 and 2023, average house prices and rents in the EU rose by 48%, while wages lagged. More than 10% of urban households now spend over 40% of their disposable income on housing. The upshot of this is that many workers cannot afford to live near where they work, and labour shortages are worsening in sectors such as healthcare, education and public services.

'This is not only about access to housing, but also about access to opportunity,' said Elena Calistru, rapporteur for the opinion. 'We need a shift in how we understand housing: from a commodity to a pillar of competitiveness, inclusion and cohesion.' The EESC warns that without decisive action, inequality will deepen, and regional resilience will suffer.

While housing remains largely a national competence, the Committee calls for a stronger EU role through cohesion policy, improved coordination of funding tools, innovative financial models and greater engagement with local authorities, NGOs and civil society. It welcomes initiatives such as the Housing Task Force and the European Affordable Housing Plan but calls for broader stakeholder involvement.

The opinion also supports an EU-wide framework defining affordable housing in all its forms to give investors certainty and enable policies to address diverse regional needs. Looking ahead, the EESC wants housing investment to be a strategic priority in the post-2027 cohesion policy, with a focus on climate-resilient, sustainable homes.

It also recommends revisiting State aid rules, broadening financial instruments and redirecting unused national recovery funds towards housing. Public investment in affordable housing, it argues, should be excluded from EU debt limits.

For the EESC, the message is clear: housing is about fairness, opportunity and Europe’s social fabric. Affordable housing must be treated as a fundamental right and a shared responsibility at all levels. (tk)

The EESC has adopted two complementary opinions aimed at building a more resilient and financially empowered Europe. By backing the Commission’s plan for a Savings and Investments Union (SIU) and calling for a major push on financial literacy, the Committee stresses that integrated markets and citizen empowerment must go hand in hand.

One opinion, led by rapporteur Petru Sorin Dandea, supports the Commission’s strategy to mobilise Europe’s untapped wealth, more than EUR 10 trillion in bank deposits, and channel it into investments for businesses, innovation and infrastructure. The EESC calls for stronger supervision, harmonised tax and insolvency rules, and safe, transparent and cost-effective investment products, alongside a reinforced European Securities and Markets Authority.

The second opinion, by rapporteur Giuseppe Guerini, focuses on financial literacy as the missing link for the SIU. With only 18% of Europeans demonstrating a high level of financial literacy, many citizens lack the tools to manage their money, avoid scams and plan for the future. The EESC sees financial education as a social right and calls for it to be taught in schools, supported through adult education, and targeted at vulnerable groups, young people, the elderly and new entrepreneurs.

The Committee warns that without trust and understanding, citizens will not participate in financial markets. With digitalisation fuelling new risks such as online ‘finfluencers’ and AI-driven scams, the EESC calls for a clear regulatory framework and stronger action against fraud. Financial literacy is also key to preparing for ageing societies, ensuring people can navigate pensions, long-term care and savings.

Better financial education, the EESC argues, promotes inclusion by reducing inequality and empowering groups often left behind. To measure success, it recommends Key Performance Indicators such as increased retail investment and reduced costs.

In the EESC’s view, Europe must invest not only in capital, but also in people. Without financial literacy, there is no inclusion, and without inclusion, the SIU cannot succeed. (tk)

At its July plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) backed new EU proposals to strengthen Europe’s defence readiness, while stressing the importance of preserving democratic values and building a long-term strategy for peace.

In a recently adopted opinion, the EESC expresses strong support for the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) Instrument, designed to finance joint defence procurement and reinforce the European defence industry. It urges Member States to make full use of SAFE, underlining its potential to boost investment in European-made technologies, improve security of supply and enhance strategic autonomy.

‘EU initiatives on defence industry must urgently strengthen the capacity of the EU and its Member States to safeguard peace and security,’ said EESC rapporteur Maurizio Mensi.

The SAFE instrument responds to growing geopolitical instability and the urgent need to scale up Europe’s defence capabilities in a coordinated and cost-effective way. The EESC stresses that funding should address the most urgent capability gaps while also strengthening the EU’s industrial base. High-value, complex systems should be sourced from within Europe to ensure control over product design and long-term adaptability.

The Committee also supports limited third-country participation in joint procurement, restricted to partners with formal defence agreements with the EU. Currently Ukraine, Norway and the UK are explicitly welcome, while wider participation is seen as a risk to Europe’s technological independence.

In a second opinion on the Joint White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2023, the EESC calls for broader action beyond SAFE. It highlights the need for a comprehensive EU defence strategy, warning that limited flexibility in national spending rules could create trade-offs between defence investments and essential social policies. Security, it argues, must go hand in hand with democratic resilience.

The Committee therefore urges the EU to accelerate work on a common defence policy with stronger legislation, more funding and closer cooperation with global partners. It also calls for greater involvement of research institutions and more support for SMEs working in the defence sector. Defence readiness must be part of a wider strategic agenda that includes civil infrastructure, digital resilience and social cohesion.

Together, these opinions present a vision of EU defence policy that is pragmatic and forward-looking, focusing on readiness and anchored in peace, democracy and collective responsibility.

Marcin Nowacki, rapporteur for the opinion, concluded: ‘With rising threats and war on Europe’s doorstep, the EU must act now. Defence is more than weapons – it is innovation, industry and resilience. We must build our own defence technology – supporting industry and research, and cutting red tape.’ (gb)

The EESC is calling for stronger trade unions to help Europe close its productivity gap, especially with the United States. In a recently adopted opinion, it argues that productivity is not only about investment in technology and capital, but also about empowering workers, strengthening social dialogue and encouraging workplace innovation.

The EESC emphasises that productivity and wage growth can go hand in hand. Collective bargaining, consultation and worker participation can boost business performance, with trade unions well placed to improve practices and support training.

'By involving workers in shaping decisions, we are not just protecting rights, we are unlocking potential,' said rapporteur Philip von Brockdorff. 'Stronger trade unions can help businesses innovate, reduce absenteeism and retain skilled employees.'

The opinion highlights the positive role of workplace bodies such as works councils, which increase job satisfaction, raise wages and reduce staff turnover. It also calls for closer cooperation between employers, unions and governments a) to develop continuous training and upskilling programmes, particularly in sectors undergoing rapid transformation, and b) to set productivity benchmarks that reflect quality, sustainability and innovation rather than short-term cost savings.

The EESC underlines the fact that unions can contribute directly to fairer wage structures, stable employment and solutions to labour market challenges such as skills mismatches and limited mobility. Recognising their role in supporting workforce adaptation to technological change and digitalisation is vital.

The Committee concludes with a clear message: in today’s competitive global economy, workers are not a cost to be reduced, but rather a resource to be valued. Trade unions – through dialogue, participation and partnership – are essential for delivering fair wages, good jobs and sustainable growth. (tk)

The EESC is the first EU body to offer concrete recommendations on using digital tools to improve law-making – an area still plagued by complexity and opacity

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has issued a set of recommendations to EU institutions on the responsible use of digital tools in law-making.

In an opinion adopted at its July plenary, the EESC called for the benefits of technologies such as AI and automation to be harnessed to improve transparency and efficiency, while putting strong safeguards in place to prevent discrimination, bias and inaccuracies in the legislative process.

This could significantly enhance legal consistency, reduce single market barriers and administrative burdens and, most importantly, improve compliance and increase trust in public institutions.

‘In the era of cloud computing and AI, it is paradoxical that Europe’s legislative machinery still operates with a mindset reminiscent of Napoleonic times’, said the rapporteur for the opinion, Alena Mastantuono.

Over the decades, laws have accumulated, creating unintended bureaucratic burdens and rendering the system increasingly opaque.

Figures show that the EU generates 18 000 pages of new binding legislation every year. It would take the average citizen about 720 hours a year to read all these legal texts – that’s equivalent to two hours per day. In 2022 alone, recurring administrative costs across the EU were estimated at €150 billion.

Ms Mastantuono highlighted that the EESC was the first EU institution to set out how digital tools should be used in making laws: ‘The EESC offers solutions and puts forward recommendations on how the EU’s law-making process should evolve – leveraging digital tools and mapping legal obligations more effectively.’

‘A general review of EU law should be citizen-focused and data-driven. We must ensure that laws remain fit for purpose – for citizens, SMEs and the environment,’ said the co-rapporteur Tymoteusz Zych.

The EESC recommended that all new legal acts – be it at EU, national, regional or local level – come with an easy-to-understand and concise summary of what they require. These summaries, written by regulators to ensure accuracy and clarity, would also be formatted to work with digital tools. This would allow artificial intelligence to step in – spotting overlaps, inconsistencies and gaps by connecting related rules and showing how different legal norms interact. The same should be done for existing legislation to make it more accessible to the public.

Another recommendation is to set up a unified, interoperable EU digital platform for law-making, which would centralise texts and metadata, enable real-time consistency checks and encourage the use of harmonised language. (ll)

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) recently adopted an opinion welcoming the European Commission’s Industrial Action Plan, designed to help Europe’s automotive industry navigate a period of profound change. The shift to cleaner and more digital vehicles must be managed in a way that protects jobs, supports businesses and ensures no worker or region is left behind.

The automotive sector employs 3.5 million people directly and another 4.5 million in related services, with a trade surplus of nearly EUR 90 billion in 2024. However, it faces rapid technological change, evolving consumer expectations and rising global competition.

‘The automotive sector is moving from hardware to software, from mechanics to electronics, and from conventional to electric powertrains. The automotive industry should seize the opportunities of the green and digital transformation of the automotive ecosystem and turn it into a competitive advantage,’ said co-rapporteur Guido Nelissen.

While the EESC supports the EU’s climate goals, it warns that the transition to zero-emission vehicles requires strong social and economic measures. It calls for a European strategy centred on skills development, innovation, infrastructure and the circular economy, with special focus on SMEs, which form the backbone of the supply chain. Large-scale reskilling, backed by EU funds such as the Social Climate Fund, will be vital to avoid disruption. The Committee proposes an EU skills passport and stronger cooperation between industry and education.

Innovation is a key strength of the automotive sector, with 15% of its value added invested in R&D, but Europe still lags behind in software and digital technologies. The EESC therefore calls for more investment in batteries, autonomous and connected vehicles, and common software standards.

It also emphasises the need for better coordination of electrification policies, including faster deployment of charging infrastructure, integration of smart grids and support for the repair and maintenance sector.

The Committee highlights trade pressures, with imports from China challenging EU competitiveness. It calls for stronger trade defence, reshoring of key parts, and sustainable new trade deals. (gb)

On 29 July, a roundtable in Bratislava brought together youth leaders, policy-makers and civil society to explore integrating the EU Youth Test into Slovakia’s national decision-making. Developed by the EESC in 2024, the Youth Test assesses how legislation affects young people and promotes their structured involvement in policy design. The Youth Test was the focus of a high-level debate during the last EESC plenary in July.

The event in Bratislava, co-organised by the EESC and the European Parliament’s Liaison Office in Slovakia, marked a key step in adapting the EU-level initiative locally. Over 30 participants discussed barriers and opportunities for deploying the Youth Test in Slovak ministries and agencies.

‘We must ensure that young people are not just a target group but active participants in the design of future-facing policies,’ explained EESC member and co-host of the Bratislava roundtable, Miroslav Hajnoš.

‘Young people are experts on their reality, and our policies should reflect their lived experience – not only their future, but their present,’ said Lucia Yar, Member of the European Parliament.

Ján Hrinko, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education, stressed that youth participation enhances policy legitimacy. Civil society leader Juraj Lizák praised the Youth Test for deepening cooperation between grassroots organisations and institutions.

The Youth Test is built on three pillars: meaningful consultation, impact assessment and mitigation of negative effects. It has already influenced EU bodies, prompting initiatives like the European Commission’s Youth Check. Since its launch, 40 EESC opinions have undergone the Youth Test, with 27 adopted, supported by a network of over 70 youth organisations.

The Bratislava roundtable demonstrated strong engagement, even during summer, reinforcing the relevance of youth participation. Plans are underway for further joint activities to strengthen democratic involvement. (lm)

On Tuesday 16 September, the EESC hosts the world premiere of the documentary 7 Days That Changed the Century, directed by Serbian filmmaker and public figure Boško Savković.

This powerful and thought-provoking film explores the beginning and the end of the First World War, tracing how decisions made in 1918 continue to shape the world today. Drawing on both historical and newly uncovered documents, Savković presents a compelling narrative that challenges viewers to reflect on the long-lasting legacy of the Great War.

Hosting this world premiere reflects the EESC’s continued commitment to promoting dialogue and democratic values, and highlighting European unity. It also aligns with the Committee’s efforts to support initiatives that encourage critical engagement with Europe’s history and its lessons for future generations. (ck)