Recommendations of organised civil society to address the cost-of-living crisis

The EESC's Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion section (ECO) has adopted an own-initiative opinion presenting comprehensive recommendations from organised civil society to address the cost-of-living crisis. This opinion is part of a broader package developed by the EESC to explore various dimensions of this ongoing challenge. Drawing on the conclusions of these sectoral opinions, this opinion highlights structural, fiscal, and social policy responses needed at both national and EU level to ease pressure on citizens, ensure affordability, and strengthen economic and social resilience in preparation to future similar crises.

Key points

In the opinion, ECO:

• Calls for a comprehensive and forward-looking EU strategy to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, combining preventive and responsive measures. This includes structural reforms and urgent actions to protect the most vulnerable, targeted national support, and fair policies across sectors, from taxation and social protection to the green and digital transitions. Organised civil society also underlines the need to ensure access to affordable and adequate housing, boost social housing, and address long-term impacts on future generations.
• Emphasises the importance of resilient, inclusive and well-functioning economic structures, such as quality public services, a strong industrial base, and dynamic labour markets. It advocates for affordable services of general interest (SGIs), a modern industrial policy to support SMEs and the social economy, the creation of quality jobs, and inclusive employment policies. The role of education, training, and both social and civil dialogue is seen as essential in boosting purchasing power and social cohesion.
• Urges the EU to reduce structural cost pressures through market reforms, innovation and investment, including a fundamental overhaul of the energy market and taxation, the phased removal of fossil fuel subsidies, and action to cut administrative burdens. It also calls for a more effective Single Market and trade policy, better permitting procedures, and significant investment in infrastructure, energy, transport, education, and healthcare, all underpinned by sustainable and transparent public finances.

Additional information

EESC section: Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO)

Opinion type: Own-initiative opinion

Rapporteurs: Krister ANDERSSON (Employers – GR I/Sweden), Krzysztof BALON (Civil Society Organisations – GR III/Poland), Thomas KATTNIG (Workers – GR II/Austria)

Reference: ECO/660-EESC

Date of adoption by section: 4/7/2025

Date of adoption in plenary: 16-17/07/2025

Contact

ECO Secretariat

Email: eco@eesc.europa.eu

Administrator: Krisztina PERLAKY-TÓTH