Piotr Sadowski elected Co-Chair of the EESC Liaison Group with European civil society organisations and networks

Piotr Sadowski, a committed civil society leader and an advocate for social justice, has been elected as the new co-chair of the Liaison Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). He will serve alongside the EESC President, jointly steering the Group’s efforts to promote civil dialogue and participatory democracy across the European Union.

The EESC Liaison Group  brings together European civil society organisations and networks, playing a critical role in connecting citizens with EU institutions. By promoting open dialogue and collaborative initiatives, the Group ensures that the concerns and aspirations of citizens are actively considered in the European decision-making process.

Over the past five years (2020–2025), the EESC Liaison Group has been co-chaired by Brikena Xhomaqi, Director of the Lifelong Learning Platform. Under her dedicated leadership, the Group reinforced its role as a trusted connector between civil society organisations and EU institutions, fostering inclusive discussions and championing the values of participatory democracy.

Building on this foundation, Piotr Sadowski enters his term with a strong vision, focused on promoting participation, solidarity and inclusivity. He is committed to ensuring that the Liaison Group remain open and accessible, a space where a broad variety of organisations from civil society can bring in their different voices and are empowered to contribute. 

He also highlights the Group’s ability to connect EU expertise with the reality of citizens’ lives, promoting equality, sustainability and social justice. ‘The Liaison Group is no longer just a forum for exchange — it’s a space of collaboration and shared responsibility, where national and European voices shape the EESC dialogue with EU institutions'. – he said in his inaugural speech. ‘I hope to bring connection — to show that civil society is essential infrastructure. It’s about resilience, imagination, and standing with those whose rights remain at risk, both within and beyond the EU'. – he added.

About Piotr Sadowski:

In addition to his new role, Mr Sadowski serves as Secretary General of Volonteurope, a Brussels-based European network dedicated to social justice through volunteering and active citizenship. He is also Vice President of the Conference of INGOs at the Council of Europe and Vice President of the Lifelong Learning Platform. Throughout his career, he has championed European values and ensured that the voices of organised civil society are represented at both EU and Council of Europe levels. A long-standing member of the European socialist and democratic movement, Mr Sadowski is a vocal supporter of progressive policies and an active advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, working to promote equality, dignity and inclusion across Europe.

About the Liaison Group:

Established in 2004, the EESC Liaison Group with European civil society organisations and networks offers a structured framework for cooperation and dialogue between the EESC and European civil society.Initially composed of 12 organisations, the Group has grown into a dynamic platform of 47 member organisations. Its longstanding major annual event, the Civil Society Days, has been merged, since 2024, with the European Citizens’ Initiative Day and the Award Ceremony for the Civil Society Prize, into the biggest EESC annual flagship event, the Civil Society Week.

Over the past twenty years, the EESC Liaison Group with European civil society organisations and networks has become a trusted and invaluable partner, consistently enriching the work of the European Economic and Social Committee with its expertise and insights. Its mandate includes exchanging information on relevant EU institutional activities, identifying opportunities for collaboration and exploring ways to enhance the involvement of civil society in the EESC’s consultative processes. It also contributes to EESC opinions, hearings, conferences and the EESC’s input to the European Commission’s work programme.