The role and increasing weight of the Economic and Social Councils at national level

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Published in
Study
ISBN
978-92-830-6619-4
Catalogue number
QE-01-24-009-EN-N
73 pages
COFOE
Economic governance
Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law
Going local
Growth
Participatory Democracy
Social rights

Focussing on five EU Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Italy and Portugal), this study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the role and increasing significance of the national Economic and Social Councils (NESCs), while also putting forward a set of policy recommendations on how to involve the NESCs more constructively, and how to make sure that the EESC's relationship with the NESCs, and henceforth its involvement as the EU's institutional bridge with civil society, can be further strengthened.

Issues identified include challenges in civil society representation, financial constraints and a certain lack of cohesion.

Recommendations comprise fostering EU-level collaboration, monitoring the impact of the recent reform of the French CESE, and balancing expert involvement with civic engagement in decision making. Enhanced cooperation and structured dialogue between the EESC and the NESCs are vital for advancing EU policy goals towards 2030 and beyond.

EU Publications. All in one place. Publications Office of the European Union

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