With the European elections in June 2024 laying the groundwork for Europe's future, the EESC, as civil society's institutional partner, is organising its first Civil Society Week, entitled Rise Up for Democracy!
With the European elections in June 2024 laying the groundwork for Europe's future, the EESC, as civil society's institutional partner, is organising its first Civil Society Week, entitled Rise Up for Democracy!
Will you be part of it?
We will gather people of a range of ages and with a variety of backgrounds, including young people, journalists, and representatives of the EU institutions, to engage in a lively debate about issues that affect our daily lives and Europe's future. We will address the various threats and challenges to democratic values, as well as what civil society expects of Europe's future leaders. Our proposals will then be incorporated into the EESC's Resolution for the elections and specific policy proposals.
#CivSocWeek will bring together five major EESC initiatives:
Civil Society Days – an annual flagship event highlighting the wide range of contributions from organised civil society to the building of an EU that is more in line with citizens' expectations on crucial issues for our democratic societies. This in turn seeks to encourage greater involvement by civil society in the European project at all levels.
European Citizens' Initiative Day - a high-level annual conference, providing a forum and platform where registered and future ECI organisers and stakeholders can exchange information and experiences and present their ECI-related activities to the public.
Your Europe, Your Say! (YEYS) - a youth event connecting young people with the EU - from the Member States, the candidate countries and the UK - inspiring them to exercise their democratic right to vote. Through dynamic consultation sessions, young participants will engage in debates, foster collaboration, and reach consensus.
Civil Society Prize - an annual prize rewarding effective, innovative and creative projects run by civil society and individuals. This year it will go to initiatives supporting mental well-being in Europe on an individual or collective basis
Journalists' Seminar bringing together journalists from the Member States to join the discussions on the state of democracy in the Union and the upcoming European elections and to experience first-hand the Committee in action.
Join us and be inspired by our expert-led workshops and high-level policy debates. Make your voice heard on key issues for the new legislative cycle and connect with civil society associations and changemakers from all over Europe!
welcomes the SME relief package as an attempt to put SMEs at the core of European legislation and at the heart of European strategies, discussions, and actions in support of competitiveness. The next Commission should make this a priority and give it continuity.
believes that the Commission must ensure that the EU SME Envoy has an entrepreneurial background and a well-defined set of competencies and responsibilities in the upcoming 2024-2029 mandate, and that the position is accompanied by adequate resources in terms of staff and financial support.
supports the development of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as an alternative to court proceedings when consumers seek redress for the damage traders may cause them, alongside accessible judicial proceedings and enforcement of consumer rights by national authorities;
underlines the importance of encouraging Member States and industries to set up such schemes and of encouraging traders, including SMEs, to join them voluntarily and calls on the Commission to review the progress of ADR schemes three years after the implementation of the proposed Directive;
believes that the EU must adopt a competitiveness agenda which, in line with the principles of the single market and the social market economy, is forward-looking, well-defined and coordinated, and promotes the prosperity of businesses, quality jobs, raising living standards for EU citizens, and inclusiveness, while improving the ability of the EU system to innovate, invest and trade and compete in the global marketplace for the common good and drive our transition to climate neutrality;
believes that to revitalise the EU's competitiveness it is necessary to activate an integrated European industrial strategy, which, by promoting an integrated European industrial system, has as its key players: the company and its workers;
