European Economic
and Social Committee
Liaison Group Newsletter March 2026
Dear members and friends of the Liaison Group,
The third EESC Civil Society Week – this year entitled People, Democracy, Resilience – our Future! – brought together over a thousand civil society players, policy-makers and members of the general public in early March. With eight high-quality sessions co-organised by twenty-two EESC Liaison Group European network members, the week became a dynamic platform for dialogue, debate and action. The message was clear: defending democracy and rebuilding trust requires a robust civil society – and everyone has a role to play.
The solutions? A vibrant civil society, underpinned by practical, lifelong citizenship education accessible to everyone . Local learning ecosystems – schools, local councils and community groups – must work together to treat young people as citizens right now: today, and not just tomorrow. As one participant noted: “Democratic resilience isn’t taught; it’s lived.”
Yet education alone is not enough. Social cohesion is fraying as a result of geopolitical chaos, economic inequality and community ties that are being eroded. To restore trust, we must empower the most vulnerable – those isolated in rural areas, trapped in urban poverty or facing discrimination, including people with disabilities. We need independent media, media literacy to combat misinformation, and safe spaces where the views of the general public – and more specifically young people – can be truly heard. Intergenerational fairness is non-negotiable.
Housing problems exemplify the crisis. Across Europe, young people and vulnerable groups are being priced out of housing access and marginalised. Bold action is needed: faster planning for affordable housing and stronger enforcement of the Minimum Wage Directive to lift people out of poverty. Housing is a fundamental right, not a commodity.
Democracy’s values demand active defence. The EU Democracy Shield offers promise, but it must prioritise civic engagement, giving civil society a central role in the proposed Centre for Democratic Resilience. Complacency about civic space is not an option. The new EU Civil Society Strategy must be reflected in action with stable funding, protection for civic spaces and an inclusive Civil Society Platform – extending efforts to candidate countries. The Social Economy Action Plan and the European Cross-Border Association Directive are critical tools. We must ensure their implementation, alongside enabling legislation, funding and digital infrastructure. We also need a single market for philanthropy, so as to unlock more potential for philanthropy across borders.
Funding is vital. Public and philanthropic players must coordinate better. The next EU Budget (Multiannual Financial Framework), especially via Agora EU, must support civil society beyond project grants, ensuring accessibility for smaller organisations and human rights defenders.
In the digital age, resilience means more than having strong passwords. It requires independent media, education to navigate algorithm-driven information and democratic digital infrastructure. Volunteering, too, is a strategic asset for resilience and cohesion – but it needs policy recognition and support.
Resilience also demands intergenerational fairness. EU climate policy must address structural causes, not just ask younger generations to adapt to crises they haven’t created. Linguistic and cultural diversity must be protected to leave no community behind.
The Civil Society Week has provided a roadmap: Next steps for a more democratic and resilient future. These concrete proposals were presented and discussed during last week's EESC plenary session with EU policy-makers. Now, it’s up to all of us - civil society, policy-makers and citizens – to act. Europe’s democratic future depends on it.
Hanna SURMATZ
Philanthropy Europe Association (Philea)