Civil Society Organisations' Bulletin - November 2025

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

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

By Dovilė JUODKAITĖ, Member of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group and representative of the Lithuanian Disability Forum

The new president of the EESC vows to put civil society at the heart of Europe through a people-centred programme that balances economic growth and social inclusion and ensures everyone has a fair chance to thrive. Topping his priorities are the eradication of poverty by providing opportunities and protecting and empowering civil society to ensure Europe stays true to its democratic and social core amid a shrinking of civic space and growing political and economic instability.

Cillian Lohan is the new President of the Civil Society Organisations' Group of the EESC. The Group appointed the environmentalist for the 2025-2028 term. Peace, democracy and resilient communities will take centre stage during his presidency.

Meet our Vice-President and representative of the Polish Committee of the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN Poland)

Meet our Vice-President and representative of the National Youth Council of Latvia

Meet our Vice-President and representative of the Italian platform Third Sector Forum

Meet our Vice-President and representative of The Women’s Council in Denmark

Meet our Vice-President and representative of the Austrian Federal Conference of the Liberal Professions (BUKO)

Meet our Vice-President and representative of ODRAZ – Sustainable Community Development/Croatian Volunteer Development Centre 

Meet our Vice-President and representative of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden

Meet the President of the EESC's Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO) and representative of the organisation Funky Citizens

Meet the President of the EESC's Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI) and representative of Solidaris – Mutual Health Fund

Meet the President of the EESC's Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment (NAT) and representatives of the Beef Breeders Association of Bulgaria (BBAB)

During the EESC’s inaugural plenary session for its new term of office (2025-2030), the EESC plenary elected members of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group to several leadership positions. 

At its plenary session on 18 September, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted an opinion on A new Pact for the Mediterranean, calling for bottom-up processes ensuring that the pact has a direct, positive impact on all people and especially on youth. Read the key messages of the members of the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group. 

On 18 September, the EESC plenary held a debate with civil defence and humanitarian experts on the European Commission’s EU Preparedness Union Strategy and adopted its opinion on the Strategy. Read the key messages of the members of the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group.

Water must be treated as a strategic priority for Europe, the EESC stressed during its plenary session on 18 September, where three new opinions on water policy were discussed and adopted. Read the key messages of the members of the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group.

At its plenary session on 18 September, the EESC hosted a debate with Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, and called on the European Commission to take urgent action to address the ongoing housing crisis. Read the key messages of the members of the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group.