In this own-initiative opinion, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is addressing the growing disparities in healthcare access across the EU. These inequalities, exacerbated by inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, disproportionately affect vulnerable groups such as low-income households, people with disabilities, children, and older people. The opinion calls for urgent action to ensure equitable access to healthcare and long-term care, in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR), and proposes concrete policy recommendations to strengthen healthcare systems and reduce barriers to care.
Download — EESC opinion: Tackling inequalities in people's access to healthcare
As emphasised in the Letta and Draghi reports, the two main challenges of EU R&I policy are: i) reversing the declining productivity of the EU economy and closing the competitiveness gap with other global scientific and economic powers; and ii) reducing the fragmentation of the European research area to allow for the free circulation of scientific knowledge, research and innovation referred as the ‘fifth freedom’ in the Letta report.
In early 2026, the Commission is expected to publish the European Research Area Act (ERA Act). EESC’s input through this own-initiative opinion (OIO) is intended to shape the ERA Act, ensuring that it supports a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and digital transformation, and aligns with these strategic visions.
Download — EESC opinion: The ERA Act: unlocking the fifth freedom
In the current context of multiple crises, in addition to digital challenges, urges the EU institutions and Member States to act on the EESC’s proposals on social and civil dialogue to engage individual citizens in democracy in general. It proposes to work closely with the Commission in the creation, governance and regular operation of a civil society platform and to act as a hub and custodian for public and organised civil society participation, and recalls that the Conference on the Future of Europe explicitly calls for the EESC’s institutional role to be enhanced and for it to be empowered as a facilitator of participatory democracy activities, such as structured dialogue with civil society.
Download — EESC opinion: Good practice for EU civil dialogue in the light of participatory processes
Europe’s energy system is increasingly unbalanced due to intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar, often relying on fossil fuels for stability. Achieving balance is key for energy reliability, climate goals, economic growth, and technological innovation. This opinion explores how Member States can integrate renewables while ensuring system stability and advancing decarbonisation, focusing on managing intermittent energy effectively.
Download — EESC opinion: Towards a balanced European energy system
The legislative proposal, subject of this opinion, aims at amending Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 by postponing of two years the deadline set in article 48 for the fulfilment of due diligence obligations by economic operators.
Download — EESC opinion: Battery due diligence policies
reaffirms its unwavering commitment to gender equality and women’s rights as fundamental pillars of democracy, social justice and inclusive growth and stands firmly alongside all the players striving to advance equality for all women and girls, in all their diversity;
endorses the Declaration of principles for a gender-equal society, which aligns closely with the values and priorities repeatedly expressed in EESC opinions;
recognises that the implementation of these principles requires coordinated and sustained action to which it is committed;
stands ready to contribute actively to the realisation of this roadmap and to work with the European institutions and Member States, to transform these principles into practice.
Download — EESC opinion: A Roadmap for Women's Rights - Supporting the Declaration of Principles for a Gender-Equal Society
In this exploratory opinion, requested by the European Commission, the EESC outlines priority actions and flagship initiatives for the 2025–2030 period. It urges the Commission to quickly develop its next action plan with meaningful consultation of persons with disabilities and their organisations and calls for stronger, more binding measures than those from 2021–2025, with direct impact and dedicated funding in the next Multiannual Financial Framework to ensure effective implementation and support.
Download — EESC opinion: The Future of the EU Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities post-2025
Download — EESC opinion: Regenerative agriculture as a target towards enhancing sustainable food production, supporting climate and biodiversity objectives
Ensuring the European healthcare sector is well-equipped to respond to cyber-attacks will be a top priority for the newly elected European Commission.
On 15 January 2025, the European Commission published a European action plan on the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers, COM(2025) 10 final.
The European Commission Communication on the "European action plan on the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers" aims to strengthen the security of our health systems and to improve the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers across the EU as healthcare systems increasingly become targets of cyber and ransomware attacks, in a comprehensive action plan.
Download — EESC opinion: European action plan on the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers
In this own-initiative opinion the EESC supports the Commission’s plans to achieve simplification, reduce the administrative burden and enhance the competitiveness of the European economy. The Committee considers that tax simplification should promote giving cost-efficient information, improving the use of and exchange of information between tax authorities. The Committee recommends that an impact assessment should be undertaken for every proposal in order to properly assess the concrete implications for taxpayers and companies of new legislative initiatives. Furthermore, the Committee also recommends conducting competitiveness checks of new legislative initiatives in the field of taxation, including for SMEs, to ensure that the new rules actually support the planned objectives of the Commission in terms of simplification, decluttering and reduction of the administrative burden. Finally, the EESC proposes that a system of advance rulings at EU level be introduced.
Download — EESC opinion: Assessing tax reporting obligations in the EU
In its own-initiative opinion on the new European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) Action Plan, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomes the European Commission’s initiative and urges a renewed and ambitious approach. The EESC highlights the need to reinforce the social dimension of the EU, particularly in light of ongoing green and digital transitions and persistent inequalities. It calls for a stronger focus on social investment, quality employment, inclusive labour markets, fair mobility and accessible social protection systems. The Committee underlines the importance of involving civil society and social partners at all levels and recommends establishing clear targets, effective monitoring and adequate funding to ensure the full implementation of the EPSR principles.
Download — EESC opinion: New Action Plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights
Download — EESC opinion: Reindustrialisation of Europe – opportunity for businesses, employees and citizens in the context of the cost-of-living crisis
