Civil Society Organisations' Bulletin - June 2026

By Cillian LOHAN, President, EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group

By Rudolf KOLBE, Vice-President of the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group, representing the Austrian Federal Conference of the Liberal Professions and the Austrian Federal Chamber of Architects and Chartered Engineering Consultants

By Stoyan TCHOUKANOV, President of the EESC's Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment (NAT) and member of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group, representing the Beef Breeders Association of Bulgaria

By Ileana IZVERNICEANU DE LA IGLESIA, member of the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group, representing the Spanish Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU)

By Cillian LOHAN, rapporteur for the EESC exploratory opinion requested by the European Commission on the Circular Economy Act, and President of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group, representing the Irish Environmental Pillar

By Davie PHILIP, facilitator and community coach, Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Ireland

By Alex GRAY, community programme manager, Global Action Plan Ireland (GAP)

By Ionuţ SIBIAN, member of the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group, representing the Romanian Civil Society Development Foundation (FDSC)

On 9 May 2026, Open Day at the EESC brought together more that 3,500 visitors from across Europe and beyond for a vibrant celebration of dialogue, democracy and unity. 

Hosted by the Civil Society Organisations' Group on 8 May, the event entitled 'European leadership for the future: Civil society driving the post 2030 agenda' was attended by Teresa Ribera (Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition), Directors-General of the European Commission, civil society representatives and others.

By Domantas TRACEVIČIUS, member of the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group, representing the Lithuanian NGO Circular economy

On 14 April, the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) launched its latest EU Poverty Watch Report, Promoting and Strengthening National and Local Anti-Poverty Strategies (NAPS & LAPS), at an event in Brussels hosted by the Civil Society Organisations’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). 

We spoke with Katrīna Leitāne, the co-rapporteur for the EESC opinion SOC/842, representing the National Youth Council of Latvia in the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group

Watch our rapporteurs and co-rapporteurs on INT/1107, SOC/853, NAT/970 and ECO/696

At its plenary session on 29 April, the EESC held a debate with the European Council President. Read the key messages of the members of the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group.

At its plenary session on 29 April, the EESC held a debate on a 'Union of Equality: Advancing LGBTIQ+ rights and banning conversion practices'. Read the key messages of the members of the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group.

At its plenary session on 30 April, the EESC held a debate on the theme 'Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe'. Read the key messages of the members of the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group.

On 30 June 2026, the Civil Society Organisations՚ Group will host a high-level conference entitled 'Civil society driving the EU sustainability agenda' in Ireland. For in-person participation, please register by 24 June 2026 via our registration form. The event will also be webstreamed. Prior registration for the streaming is not required.