Suicide is the leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29 in the World Health Organization European Region, which spans 53 countries across Europe and Central Asia. At the same time, one in seven children and adolescents under 19 lives with a mental health condition, and the numbers are rising. Yet despite this growing burden, one in five countries still lacks a dedicated policy for child and adolescent mental health. In its latest report, the World Health Organization calls for urgent action to strengthen mental health care for young people.

By Jennifer Hall, Ledia Lazeri and Joao Breda, WHO Regional Office for Europe

Mental health is an integral part of our well-being and general health, and impacts on our ability to learn and be part of a community. Yet across the WHO European Region, it is estimated that one in seven children and adolescents live with a mental health condition, and far too many continue to struggle in silence.  

According to WHO’s recent report, Child and youth mental health in the WHO European Region: status and actions to strengthen the quality of care, there is a pressing need to act fast to strengthen mental health supports for children and young people.

Mental health is worsening over time

Since 2010, children and young people aged 0-19 years old living with a mental health condition has increased by one third (34%). Of particular concern is the increase in the percentage of children and young people living with anxiety conditions, which has almost doubled since 2010. Females, older adolescents and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to report negative outcomes. 

Suicide remains a major public health concern

Suicide is the leading cause of death for young people aged 15-29 years old. However, on a positive note, suicide rates among children and young people have decreased since the year 2000. 

Environments are not adequately supporting the mental health and well-being of young people

The environment within which we live profoundly impacts our mental health and well-being. An emotionally supportive  environment can strengthen brain development and social and emotional skills, setting the ground for a child to thrive across their lifespan.

However, environments contain many stressors for today’s youth. Approximately half of children and young people are exposed to adverse childhood experiences (such as abuse, neglect, war), school satisfaction is decreasing over time and one in five report no social support. Online environments also contain potential stressors, including limited regulation, exposure to cyberbullying, and addictive design features.

Countries are not adequately equipped to respond to these growing needs

One in five countries across the WHO European Region lack a policy or plan for child and adolescent mental health, and data on child and adolescent mental health is scarce. 

Despite calls from young people for services to be delivered in community-based settings that are free from stigma and easy to access, child and adolescent mental health services remain primarily based in hospitals and inpatient settings, with one in four countries lacking community-based outpatient services. Only one in three countries report having school-based services.

The workforce is not adequate to meet the population’s increasing needs. For each psychiatrist, there are 76 000 children and adolescents (inclusive of those with and without mental health conditions).

The type of care received varies greatly depending on where a child or young person is based

Existing data show huge variations in the types of treatment received (e.g. medication and psychosocial interventions), the type of service (community-based, hospital-based), the cost of accessing services, and treatment rates between countries.  A child or young person’s access to treatment, and the quality of care they receive, may completely differ depending on where they live.

There is a need for action 

Every child and young person requiring mental health support has the right to access high-quality care. 

WHO Regional Office for Europe is actively working towards this through the WHO European Progamme on Quality of Child and Adolescent Mental Health care, an innovative workstream hosted by the WHO Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety in Athens in collaboration with the WHO European Mental Health and Well-being team, supported by the Government of the Hellenic Republic. 

Under this workstream, WHO has developed the first WHO quality standards for child and youth mental health, hosted an annual Autumn School for Ministry of Health nominated experts, set up a young researchers forum with over 700 members, and has published over 10 scientific publications. With partners, WHO has also co-developed proposed actions to strengthen quality of child and youth mental health care, some of which are below for consideration by governments: 

• Adopt a “mental health in all policies” approach to ensure that national actions plans and strategies jointly call for higher-quality mental health services. 
• Develop and implement evidence-based standards, protocols, and clinical guidelines to standardize care. 
• Engage young people and communities meaningfully in co-designing services and policies that better meet their needs. 
• Invest in a stronger child and youth mental health workforce.

 A whole-of-society approach to strengthening the quality of child and youth mental health care can foster supportive environments and services that enable children and young people to thrive, contributing to a more resilient population and a better future. Behind every number is a young person with hopes and potential, and the future health and prosperity of our societies depend on how well we respond to their needs and their right to high-quality care.

The WHO report was developed under an innovative WHO Regional Office for Europe workstream dedicated to strengthening quality of child and youth mental health care, hosted by the WHO Athens Office on Quality of care and patient safety in collaboration with the WHO European Mental Health and Well-being team and supported by the Government of Greece. The article authors Jennifer Hall, Ledia Lazeri and Joao Breda are staff members of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. The authors alone are responsible for the views expressed in this publication and they do not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of the World Health Organization.

Civic education looks very different when it is led by young people themselves. In this interview with EESC Info, European Youth Parliament’s Ali‑Maeve FitzGerald explains how the EYP approaches civic education differently, focusing on participation, practice and peer‑to‑peer learning rather than theory alone.

As a youth-led organisation, you see firsthand how young people's relationship with politics is evolving. What major shifts have you noticed recently, particularly in the level of interest and in the methods that spark meaningful engagement?

I believe that we are seeing a resurgence of young people who want to be involved and actively participate in politics. However, we are also seeing division and polarisation growing amongst young people and political ideologies. 

Social media has made it increasingly easy to mobilise large groups of people, particularly the younger generation, with issues they are deeply passionate about, giving them access to political information beyond your traditional school textbooks. However, we can also see how the echo chambers of polarising opinions on social media can further sow division amongst young people, and the risks of misinformation and disinformation in the growing age of generative AI.

Because of our representation in 40 countries across Europe, our events bring together a huge diversity of young people, opinions, and backgrounds. We are seeing that engagement is increasingly issue-driven, with the youth wanting their actions to have tangible impact, no longer satisfied with just being a part of the conversation.

Because of this, civic spaces like the European Youth Parliament are increasingly vital. We are a non-partisan platform for civic education, intercultural encounters, and the exchange of ideas – run by young people, for young people. Our mission is to inspire and empower a young generation of informed, open-minded, responsible, and active citizens who shape society and drive impact.

Annually, we bring together over 25,000 young people, creating a space where bridges across divides can be built, young people can become informed about the world around them, and how they can take a real seat at the table, and not just be heard. 
 

The approach by the European Youth Parliament goes beyond traditional school curricula by using non-formal learning methods. In your experience, is there a specific 'missing piece' in standard school civic education, and do you have an idea how this could be changed?

I think that the major ‘missing piece’ in standard school civic education is that it remains largely theoretical. Young people learn about political systems, but not how they can play a role in these systems, or, indeed, change them. The model of a classroom, where students sit and listen to a lecture, leaves them disengaged and passive in shaping civic society. 

This is what sets us, the European Youth Parliament, apart. We operate in committees of young people, at each of our 400+ events a year, assigned a key topic or issue in the world today, and are tasked with consensus-building to prepare a resolution of solutions that can be presented to decision makers as the young people's voice for change.

What is often missing in civic education is practical skill-building: how to have constructive debate, how to build consensus with opposing views, and how to navigate complex disagreements and deliberate. These stand as core democratic skills, but not something that can be taught from a textbook. 

Young people need skill-based learning, and this is what we aim to develop at our events. We focus on giving young people the platform they need to develop skills in critical thinking, media literacy, public speaking, and much more. We aim to fill the gap in traditional civic education curricula, by taking the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom into the real world, and equip young people with the skills and tools they need to be active citizens.
 

Peer-to-peer learning is a core strength of the European Youth Parliament. Why do you think young people connect so strongly with learning from their peers? And how can this approach best complement, rather than replace, formal civic education in schools and universities?

Peer-to-peer education is successful because it creates a genuine, relatable, and engaging environment. When you are learning from people your own age, it feels accessible, and the traditional hierarchy of teacher and student is broken down. It allows you to be honest, open, and question your own opinions. It shifts the role: young people are no longer passive, sitting in the back of a classroom, but being active contributors to discussions and decision making, giving them a powerful sense of ownership.

It also is a hugely successful model of integrating intercultural learning. It is no longer theory, but practical: what better way to learn about the history of Europe than to find yourself in a room with young people from every country in Europe, what better way to learn geography than travelling to our events, held in every corner of Europe, in regions you might never otherwise dream of seeing? It brings culture, history, geography, and civic education to life. We are truly by young people, for young people.

Yet, we don’t aim to replace formal civic education, but believe we perfectly complement it. Inside the classroom, you learn foundational knowledge, and we build the bridge by offering an open forum for youth to develop soft skills like leadership, adaptability, communication, and teamwork. We rely on schools and Universities to support our aims by giving young people the fundamental knowledge, helping us in hosting our events, and pushing their students to take part actively in our events in order to translate their knowledge into action.
 

Looking five to ten years ahead, what would 'success' in political and civic education look like to you? Are there specific gaps you'd like to see addressed, whether in school curricula, funding, or how the public perceives these issues?

In the future, I believe that success would be seeing civic education recognised as essential, and not optional, for development. This doesn’t necessarily mean a fundamental restructuring of our education systems, nor do I see that as feasible, but we do need stronger support for organisations like the European Youth Parliament that are already effectively doing this work in non-formal peer-to-peer civic education. We are volunteer-driven, so what we need most of all is stable, long-term funding to achieve our mission, not just short-term, project-based support, so that we can continue to grow and make our work accessible to young people from all backgrounds and corners of Europe.

Accessibility is key. Success in ten years would mean that participation in civic society and active citizenship initiatives like ours would be available to everyone, not limited by geography or socioeconomic status. It would also mean a shift in public perception, when youth engagement can be seen as valuable and constructive, and where young people, in turn, feel heard and represented at all levels. 

Importantly, success would mean stronger partnerships with European institutions, such as the EESC. We see the European Youth Parliament as a bridge, and a platform to connect young people with policymaking spaces. Success for me would be when this bridge is fully recognised and supported, and when young people can not only understand how to influence policy that will shape their futures, but are uplifted and actively given the opportunity to do so.

Ali-Maeve FitzGerald is a member of the European Youth Parliament’s (EYP) International Youth Board of Volunteers, and holds the portfolio for the promotion of sustainability in the EYP network. Ali joined the EYP in Ireland in 2018 and since then she has been volunteering at various events, contributing to youth engagement, policy dialogue, and sustainability initiatives across Europe. Alongside her work in the EYP, she is a research scientist with a focus on women's health and cancer. Ali-Maeve is passionate about empowering young people to engage with scientific, environmental, and societal challenges.

100 young participants in the European Economic and Social Committee’s (EESC) top youth event Your Europe, Your Say! called on the EU institutions to pay far more attention to their housing needs, challenges in the digital world and their potential in political and social life. Their proposals will feed into the EU’s next strategy for young people.

‘Go big or NO home’, ‘Think before you click: Make Privacy Sexy Again’ and ‘Nothing about us without us’, were voted as three best proposals among 17 created by more than a hundred young people who took part in the  17th edition of Your Europe, Your Say! (YEYS) on 19 and 20 March 2026 in Brussels.

The three winning proposals reflect the top concerns and priorities that young people consider to be crucial for the next EU Youth Strategy. They address the acute housing problem in Europe, challenges of living in a digital world and the feeling of not being heard by politicians.

The event brought together almost 140 participants, including secondary school students and their teachers, as well as young adults associated with youth organisations. Over one and a half days, the participants took part in interactive workshops, teambuilding activities and collaborative discussions, creating a dynamic youth assembly focused on meaningful connections, active participation and democratic engagement. 

‘At the EESC, we believe that young people must be at the heart of shaping Europe’s future. Creating spaces where they can meet, exchange ideas, challenge perspectives and build solutions is vital’, stressed Séamus Boland, EESC President. 

At the YEYS opening plenary, speakers shared insights from their social and political activism and the challenges they had faced. Carolin Hochstrat of The Democratic Spin advised young people never to let anyone persuade them that they are too young to speak out on important social issues. She urged them not to wait for others to affirm that they are ready to take action, reminding them that perfect readiness does not exist. 

Boris Gurzhy from Junior Enterprise, urged young people to make their voices heard themselves, rather than simply waiting to be invited to participate in decision-making processes. ‘European politicians, from the Commission and Parliament, talk a lot about young people, which is great, but they do not really talk to them. So, it is up to us. It is up to young people to take the initiative, reach out, and participate in EU decision-making processes’, he said. 

MORE ON THE THREE WINNING PROPOSALS 

In the closing session, YEYS participants selected three proposals by vote, solidifying their priorities. 

The first proposal 'Go big or NO home', focuses on housing and calls for stricter oversight of tourist apartments to help safeguard local community life. It includes ideas for regulating tourist apartments, renters’ rights regulations and guaranteed affordable student housing.

 The second proposal ‘Think before you click: Make Privacy Sexy Again’, aims to increase media literacy in the public sphere by introducing it as a school subject, labelling AI-generated content and improving digital conditions through an EU-funded app. 

The final proposal, ‘Nothing about us without us’, tackles the feeling among young people that their voices go unheard. It suggests developing an AI-based digital platform offering information on the EU and targeting underrepresented groups, such as migrants, to foster their engagement and enhance communication among young people.

 All the proposals will be passed on to the European Commission to inform its work on the next EU Youth Strategy, due to be published in March 2027. 

Marija Hanževački, EESC Vice President for Communication, indicated that the proposals would be reflected in the future EESC opinion on the next EU Youth strategy and the EESC’s advisory work, including through the implementation of the EU Youth Test and advisory work of the Youth Group. 

Ingrid Bellander Todino, Head of the Youth and Volunteer Solidarity Unit in DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, further pledged to focus on the proposals and recommendations formulated as part of the European Commission’s work on the next EU Youth strategy. 

A recap on YEYS 2026 is captured in the event’s wrap-up video.

Accelerating the transition to a circular economy is essential not only for sustainability and competitiveness, but also for strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy. This was the central message of the annual conference of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, a joint initiative of the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee, held on 22–23 April.

The event brought together policymakers, businesses, civil society and regional actors to exchange views and contribute to the upcoming Circular Economy Act. This initiative aims to create a single market for secondary raw materials, boost the availability of high-quality recycled materials and stimulate demand across the EU.

Speakers stressed the urgency of action in the context of climate challenges, geopolitical uncertainty and resource dependency.

'In times of instability, circular economy is not a choice, it’s a necessity. Dependencies have a cost, as oil shocks keep reminding us. Circularity means reclaiming value, strengthening resilience, and building Europe’s economic autonomy', said Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy.

'The strong cooperation between the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee is at the heart of this platform. It reflects a shared conviction: that Europe’s transition to a circular economy cannot be delivered by institutions alone. It must be shaped, challenged and owned by those who make our economy work every day', said Séamus Boland, EESC President.

Author of the 'Report on the Future of the Single Market' and the President of the Jacques Delors Institute Enrico Letta highlighted that without a strong circular economy, Europe risks increasing its reliance on external suppliers for critical raw materials.

Despite progress, Europe’s circularity rate reached only 11.8% in 2023, underlining the need to scale up efforts. The European Commission has set a target to double this rate by 2030 as part of its industrial strategy.

Discussions also explored synergies between the circular economy and the bioeconomy, focusing on local value creation, resource efficiency and resilience. The conference reinforced the importance of cooperation between institutions and stakeholders to deliver a competitive and fair circular Europe. (ks)

Long before Erasmus became a household name, the EESC was arguing that Europe’s future depended on its young people. Its 1991 opinion, which advocated youth mobility and informal learning, helped set a course that still shapes EU education policy today. By throwing its support behind early European exchange initiatives, the EESC helped lay the groundwork for what would become Erasmus+, one of the most successful European programmes, which has so far enabled more than 15 million people to study and train abroad, writes EESC member Miroslav Hajnoš.

By Miroslav Hajnoš

In 1991, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted the opinion Youth for Europe (SOC/206). In this opinion, the EESC emphasised the importance of youth mobility, informal education and the active involvement of young people in building Europe. These ideas may sound obvious today, but at the time they represented a strong and necessary push towards a more people-centred European project.

In this opinion, and in the opinions that followed, the Committee played an important role in supporting and legitimising early European initiatives such as Erasmus. In a political environment where not all Member States were convinced of the value of expanding such programmes, this support sent a strong signal to the European Commission. It demonstrated that investing in young people, education and mobility was not only beneficial but necessary for the future of Europe.

The early 1990s were a time of major political and social transformation in Europe, and the Committee was already thinking ahead, identifying key priorities that would later become central pillars of European integration.

The EESC SOC/206 opinion already pointed to a broader vision of Europe.

That vision was simple but powerful. Europe should not be defined only by institutions, legislation or economic cooperation. It should be experienced by its citizens, especially by young people. The Committee therefore supported initiatives that enabled exchanges, cross-border cooperation and voluntary activities. These experiences were seen as essential for fostering mutual understanding, strengthening European identity and preparing young people to actively participate in society. 

Importantly, the Committee also recognised that learning does not happen only in classrooms. It highlighted the value of non-formal and informal education, acknowledging that skills such as adaptability, intercultural communication and civic engagement are often developed outside traditional systems. This perspective was ahead of its time and continues to influence European policies on education and youth today.

Another crucial aspect was inclusiveness. Even in 1991, there was a clear understanding that European programmes should not be limited to a privileged few. The Committee supported measures to ensure that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds could also benefit from mobility and exchange opportunities. This commitment to inclusion remains a cornerstone of EU programmes.

Looking at the impact today, it is clear how important this early direction was. Erasmus+ has become one of the most successful European programmes, contributing to education, social cohesion and a stronger sense of European identity. It has enabled millions of people to study, train and gain experience abroad, shaping generations of Europeans.

In the recent opinion on Erasmus+, led by EESC members Nicoletta Merlo and Katrīna Leitāne, this effort clearly continues. The Committee calls for stronger youth participation, dedicated funding for youth, and more inclusive access, especially for disadvantaged young people. It also emphasises the importance of policy development as a key tool to empower young Europeans and ensure their active role in shaping society. 

From 1991 to today, one thing is clear: youth is not just a topic; it is a strong and essential part of our European civil society. And as the EESC President has said, if civil society is the heart of Europe, then youth is the energy that keeps it beating.

Without the early vision and support of institutions like the EESC, it is difficult to imagine Erasmus in its current form. We would certainly not be speaking about more than 15 million participants who have benefited from it over the years.

This shows that the direction set more than three decades ago was the right one. It also reminds us that strong and forward-looking policy decisions can have a lasting impact. The Europe we are building today stands on these foundations, and that is precisely why we can approach the future with confidence.

In their book 'Kinder – Minderheit ohne Schutz' (Children – A minority without protection), nominated for the 2025 German Non-Fiction Prize, Aladin El‑Mafaalani, Sebastian Kurtenbach and Klaus Peter Strohmeier explore the widening gap between an ageing society and younger generations. Children’s and young people's interests, they argue, carry little political weight and remain inadequately protected. Klaus Peter Strohmeier sets out the case for granting children minority protection status in an interview with EESC Info.

Your book argues that children constitute a 'minority without protection' in an ageing society. Can you give some specific examples of how the current political and economic structures systematically disadvantage children? 

In our society, we witness a structural disregard for children and their families on a daily basis. Modern society is functionally differentiated and individualised. In an adult world geared towards efficiency and functionality, children are viewed as ‘disruptive factors’. 

This has created a demographic and democratic imbalance. Children are a demographic minority without political representation. They themselves have no right to vote, and their parents constitute only a minority among those eligible to vote. Some of them, moreover, have no citizenship and none of the rights that come with it. With half of the electorate being over 53, politics is primarily geared towards the status quo and the interests of older people.

This imbalance also has fiscal implications. A growing proportion of Germany’s federal budget is spent on subsidising pensions, which in turn diverts necessary investment funds away from future-oriented sectors such as education, climate protection and infrastructure.

The interests of children and young people carry no political weight. During the coronavirus pandemic, for example, children were hit hardest with the school closures, even though they had the lowest risk to their health. The introduction of compulsory military service is also currently being negotiated in Germany without consulting young people. 

You argue that parents cannot be trusted proxies for children, much like men historically failed to champion women's rights. Given that the electorate is aging rapidly, what concrete steps would you propose to ensure democracy truly includes the youth?

We propose a three-step approach that goes beyond simply lowering the voting age, with the aim of effectively involving children and young people in our ageing democracy. 

The first step is the establishment of ‘Future Councils’. These would have to be attached to every parliament and consulted prior to political decisions to promote future-oriented policies. A further step is the introduction of a so-called ‘generational clause’, whereby every fundamental political decision must be transparently assessed for its consequences for future generations. A final step is to strengthen local participation. Children and young people should be consulted in their immediate environments, such as their neighbourhoods or schools, and be given genuine opportunities to be heard and to have a say.

You propose introducing formal minority protection status for children. Beyond symbolic recognition, what legal or institutional mechanisms would this entail? How would such protections change decision-making in areas like budget allocation, urban planning, or education policy?

A legal minority protection status for children would go beyond symbolic recognition and the appointment of powerless 'Children's Advocates'. The explicit inclusion of children’s rights in the basic law, for example, would provide judges and politicians with clear legal guidance when weighing up different interests, much like the enshrined equality of women.

In terms of participation in legal proceedings, minority rights could create a legally binding substantive dimension that makes the protection of educational opportunities and natural resources enforceable. 

Protection for minorities would also make it possible to exert a binding influence on the allocation of resources. Through this, resources relevant to the future, such as investment in education, would have to be treated as a priority, rather than being lost in the battle for resources with the older generations. 

Introducing minority protections would be a structural reform, but we have seen that social change also requires a shift in attitudes. What do you see as the most effective ways to build intergenerational solidarity?

Children need adults who care about them; the more, the better. Solidarity between generations cannot grow solely through legislation; it emerges and flourishes through interaction and social relationships. The key here is to mobilise existing potential and create new opportunities.

One idea would be to engage the baby boomer generation. This generation had an exceptionally high birth rate, which could make several experienced adults available as a ‘resource’ for each child. The baby boomer generation possesses enormous social and professional skills, as well as education, good health and time. They can be recruited as personal mentors or mentors for children in childcare centres and schools. Government agencies could, for example, provide targeted information on volunteering opportunities upon retirement and create incentives such as tax-free fees or vouchers. By placing the needs of children at the centre in this way, demographic ageing can become an opportunity.

Another possibility would be the large-scale expansion of community centres in neighbourhoods. Through this, schools and nurseries can become multifunctional hubs within the neighbourhood and the local community, where young and old, children, parents, grandparents and neighbours can meet and support one another. Former professionals from trades or the cultural sector could use their skills to get involved in schools and childcare centres. Children need adults to thrive and develop healthily. The more of them there are, the better it is for the children and for our society.

Klaus Peter Strohmeier, born in 1948, is a sociologist and Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the Ruhr University Bochum. He is one of the co-authors of 'Kinder – Minderheit ohne Schutz' (Children – A minority without protection).

Like every year, EESC members visited secondary schools participating in Your Europe, Your Say! (YEYS) to help students and teachers prepare for the event. In mid-March EESC member Michael McLoughlin went to Ukraine to meet the students and teachers from Lyceum 49 in Kyiv. Although half of the visit took place in the school basement as bombs and missiles rained on the Ukrainian capital, the spirit of young Ukrainians remained undeterred.

By Michael McLoughlin

Lyceum 49 is a school in central Kyiv very much focussed on the French language and an obvious candidate for participation in Your Europe Your Say. However, it’s possible staff and students had more on their mind than the European Economic and Social Committee on the morning of 16 March. As it happened this morning marked the first missile and drone attacks on Kyiv in about six months following many weekend alerts. Material actually fell on Maidan Square in the centre of the city. 

 The school visit literally began during one of the many air alerts that morning, with students running between the shelter and the classroom. The students, however, were unflappable and actually in good spirits. Starting out in the basement shelter we discussed the possible opportunities for young people in Ukraine in the future, a recurring theme. Naturally the level of political, financial and defence support for Ukraine was a point of interest. 

 After a while we were able to move back to a normal classroom environment, which happened to be adorned with plenty of UK-related material on the walls – it was the day before Saint Patrick’s Day! This actually helped make some visual points about free movement and Schengen. Students naturally wanted to know my views on Ukraine and Kyiv, which were at their best in the spring sunshine. 

 With air raid alerts and attacks in the city centre, it was not a normal day in Ukraine, but unfortunately it wasn’t abnormal either. However, it was a testament to all involved and the spirit of ‘business as usual’ that we had a successful visit and afterwards the city got on with life in the streets, coffee shops and with traders and buskers getting on with life in the same spirit. I would particularly like to thank Alyona Morozova and Oleksandra Balytska for their help and assistance, both of whom, of course, went on to join us for the event in Brussels!

By Juliane Marie Neiiendam

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomes the European Commission’s 'Union of Equality: LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030' as a vital step towards ensuring that everyone in the European Union can live freely, safely and with dignity. At a time when fundamental rights and democratic values are under increasing pressure, reaffirming this commitment is more important than ever.

Despite progress in recent years, discrimination, violence and exclusion remain a daily reality for many LGBTIQ+ people across Europe, particularly for trans, non-binary and intersex persons, and in environments where civic space is shrinking.

Against this backdrop, in its opinion on the Commission's strategy, the EESC stresses that the key challenge is no longer only setting ambitious goals, but ensuring effective implementation. Rights must be meaningful in practice, not only on paper.

European courts are playing an increasingly important role. Their rulings clarify rights and make them directly applicable across Member States. In doing so, they create a concrete push for implementation and help ensure that fundamental rights are not only written in law but respected in people’s daily lives.

The EESC calls for stronger monitoring, enforcement and accountability, and reiterates the importance of adopting the long-awaited Horizontal Equal Treatment Directive to close existing legal gaps. It also stresses the need to safeguard civic space and respond firmly to discriminatory practices, including by countering misinformation and strengthening awareness of intersectional discrimination.

Our opinion highlights the essential role of social partners in promoting inclusive workplaces. Through social dialogue and collective bargaining, they can help translate legal protections into concrete improvements in working conditions. The EESC calls for practical support, training and guidance—developed together with civil society—to advance fair recruitment, career progression and safe working environments, and to support gender transition at work.

The EESC underlines the need for inclusive and competent healthcare, including mental health support and gender-affirming care, as well as a binding ban on conversion practices.

The EESC supports that legal gender recognition should be based on self-determination, in line with fundamental rights. It also calls for stronger EU support for safe and inclusive schools, including comprehensive sexuality education and teacher training, to ensure that all young people can learn in an environment free from fear and discrimination.

More broadly, the opinion underlines the link between equality and social conditions. Many LGBTIQ+ people face higher risks of poverty, housing insecurity and exclusion, particularly those experiencing multiple forms of discrimination. Addressing these inequalities is essential to achieving real and lasting inclusion.

Looking ahead, the EESC addresses emerging challenges, including artificial intelligence and online hate, to ensure that new technologies do not reinforce or create new forms of discrimination. It also promotes inclusion in culture, sport and public life, recognising the importance of visibility, participation and dignity in all areas of society.

Ultimately, the EESC calls for a renewed and collective effort to turn commitments into tangible change. A true Union of Equality requires not only political will, but sustained action ─ ensuring that LGBTIQ+ people across Europe can fully enjoy their rights in everyday life.

Despite recent progress, discrimination, violence and exclusion remain a daily reality for many LGBTIQ+ people in Europe. It is no longer enough to set ambitious goals; we must ensure they are properly implemented. Rights must be meaningful in practice, not only on paper, writes Juliane Marie Neiiendam, rapporteur of the EESC opinion Union of Equality: LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026-2030

The EU needs a long-term vision that takes greater account of geographic specificities. Sustainable water management and food security must become top priorities, with food security and biodiversity going hand in hand. 

By the EESC Civil Society Organisations' Group

These are some of the main messages from a conference organised by the Civil Society Organisations’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on 22 April 2026 in Larnaca. They must be considered in light of global uncertainties and growing risks to food supply chains, as well as the upcoming EU strategy for islands and coastal communities.

The conference, held under the patronage of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, focused on climate adaptation, food security and biodiversity, particularly from the island dimension. It also emphasised the importance of civil society, and in particular the EESC, in informing EU policies that are more efficient and that can be successfully implemented.

In his opening remarks, Cillian Lohan, President of the EESC’s Civil Society Organisations’ Group, outlined the objectives of the conference: ‘Our conference is not only about identifying challenges – which islands like Cyprus are often the first, fastest and most affected by – but also about exchanging solutions, learning from each other and strengthening cooperation between local, national and European actors.’

Mr Lohan highlighted the importance of communities’ ability to adapt, transform and thrive, even under pressure, in other words – resilience, explaining that ‘policies alone are not enough to build resilience. People – farmers, researchers, local authorities, cooperatives, consumers and civil society organisations – need to be empowered to work together.’

The issue of resilience was also addressed by Annita Demetriou, President of the Cypriot House of Representatives: ‘Resilience depends not only on the design of policies, but also on their effective implementation and the cooperation of all stakeholders. For real impact, we need synergies between different sectors and institutions.’ The genuine involvement of all stakeholders, including civil society organisations, would be crucial for the success of policies.

Ms Demetriou spoke about the legislative and parliamentary efforts of the Republic of Cyprus in this sense, emphasising that climate change, water scarcity, food insecurity and biodiversity loss are closely intertwined global challenges that no single country could tackle alone. She concluded by calling for greater European solidarity and the full integration of the ‘island dimension’ into EU policies, encouraging participants: ‘We must transform our shared challenges into concrete opportunities for sustainability, resilience and long-term prosperity.’

Ms Demetriou invited the Cypriot members of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group to present the outcomes of the conference to the House of Representatives’ Agriculture Committee.

Andreas Gregoriou, Permanent Secretary of the Cypriot Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, said: ‘Water resilience is no longer just an environmental concern – it is a strategic priority for Europe’s climate adaptation, food security and economic stability. From the perspective of Cyprus, strengthened EU policies must also reflect the specific realities of island and water-scarce regions, while promoting sustainable resource management and biodiversity. Building resilient agri-food systems is essential not only for sustainability, but for ensuring long-term security and stability across the European Union.’

The conference featured the presentation of two recent EESC opinions entitled EU Water Resilience Strategy and European Climate Resilience and Risk Management Integrated Framework and The Island Dimension in European Cohesion, Competitiveness and Sustainable Development Policies, both of which were prepared at the request of the Cyprus Presidency.

The event brought together around 100 representatives from institutions and civil society from across the 27 EU Member States. Participants stressed that cohesion, competitiveness and sustainability policies in particular need to take greater account of geographic specificities. Resilient communities require healthy ecosystems, fair incomes for producers, resilient local supply chains and responsible consumption. Future policies should value quality and sustainability of food supply, not just productivity.

The findings of the conference will feed into the work of the EESC’s Civil Society Organisations’ Group, whose work programme focuses, among other things, on the promotion of the sustainable agenda and building resilient communities. The event’s conclusions and recommendations will be published on the EESC website soon.