EESC President

Delivering together a Union of opportunities, security and resilience

FOREWORD

We are living through extraordinary times in so many ways. Unimaginably, war is again scarring the European continent – a war every EU institution and body must play its part in opposing, while continuing to support Ukraine and its people. Horrific events have been searing the Middle East. A multiplicity of global insecurities and planetary crises are becoming ever more acute. The triple planetary crises of Climate Change, biodiversity loss and water shortages, all demand our active engagement.

And there is so much more to tackle. Extreme levels of poverty, with more than a fifth of the population of the European Union (EU) at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Low demographic rates, coupled with the difficulty of delivering just, green and digital transitions. The urgent need for a skilled European workforce with decent working conditions and a strong industrial base. The necessity for secure, affordable and low-carbon energy supplies to ensure strategic autonomy and sustainable growth, coupled with strong SMEs, which constitute the backbone of regional and rural economies. Only five years remain until the deadline of 2030 for delivering on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Against this background of global disarray, it is easy to understand how the EU is stimulated to move from being a peace project to a defence project.

In this context, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) must position itself and operate effectively, strengthening trust in democracy and the EU. It must do so against a backdrop of increasing threats to European democracy, the rule of law and a shrinking civic space, in which European civil society finds itself at a turning point.

Now more than ever there is a genuine need for European civil society, represented in the Committee through its three groups, to work closely with wider civil society beyond the EESC, including national economic and social councils. Through this collaboration, we can pursue a European agenda that truly balances the social, economic and environmental priorities of sustainable development.

My vision for this mandate is that, over the next few years, the EESC can and should play a pivotal role as a catalyst for civil society participation. The Committee in its entirety – the Employers’, Workers’ and Civil Society Organisations’ Groups – has the responsibility to demonstrate why the EU is valuable and to sound the alarm where necessary. We have a responsibility to provide a forum to listen, debate, react to and influence EU policy-making. We also have a responsibility to closely engage with and remain relevant to, wider European civil society.

Consequently, during my mandate as President of the EESC, I will prioritise a people-centred work programme, where the Committee takes on a leading role in positioning civil society at the heart of the EU. My vision is of an EU of opportunities, security and resilience, that together we can help deliver.

At the centre of this vision is the eradication of poverty. Although economic growth and employment creation directly contribute to reducing poverty, in-work poverty remains a reality within our societies, alongside child poverty, inter-generational poverty and poverty among older persons.

It is my firm belief that poverty can be eradicated and during my presidency, I will seek collaborative approaches to protect and help the most vulnerable. People cannot participate fully in society if they are poor, disadvantaged or excluded. Nor can they fully participate if there is a shrinking civic space or if their security is under threat.

For these reasons, my work programme is organised along three pillars:

• A Union of opportunities
• A Union of security
• A Union of resilience

To deliver my work programme, I will work closely and collegially with the two EESC vice-presidents, the three group presidents, key office-holders within the Committee and all other members. We will work hand-in-hand with the European institutions, other EU bodies and the Member States, to jointly strengthen the democratic legitimacy of the EU.

Moreover, I will directly involve the EESC’s Liaison Group with European civil society organisations and networks in the implementation of the work programme, as well as seeking to establish alliances with non-EU civil society. Throughout my mandate, I will cooperate with European youth, in identifying solutions for the future. It is imperative that we gain and maintain the trust of European youth, if we are to deliver sustainable solutions to the challenges of the next 30 years.

This work programme will build on the achievements of previous Committee presidents and on the commitments and daily activities of all EESC services. I am convinced that we can achieve real and significant progress when the entire EESC works together, to place civil society at the heart of the Europe!

Séamus BOLAND
President of the European Economic and Social Committee

Pilar 1 – A UNION OF OPPORTUNITIES

Europe’s promise rests on ensuring equality of opportunity, where every person can thrive in dignity and fairness. Social dialogue and social partnership have been at the centre of the successful European social model for decades. However, poverty, social exclusion and pressures on emotional health, notably among young people and children, remain significant barriers. The EU will only be able to become a Union of opportunities by balancing economic prosperity, active labour market policies and social inclusion.

This pillar anchors the presidency in a social justice agenda, where sustainable economic growth and social welfare are interdependent. Civil society will play a pivotal role in ensuring this balance. The pillar also focusses attention on the need to strengthen youth and inter-generational participation, as well as on equality of opportunities, such as for persons with disabilities.

1.1 Providing opportunities through poverty eradication

Actions

• Prioritise EESC involvement in the implementation of the EU anti-poverty strategy;
• Establish a civil society advisory group to the EESC President on eradicating poverty;
• Organise an annual high-level conference on combatting poverty;
• Explore the role of SMEs in eradicating poverty through job creation, notably in rural areas;
• Promote poverty eradication in relations with multilateral organisations.

1.2 Providing opportunities through combatting social exclusion

Actions

• Fully engage the Committee in the implementation of the EU Affordable Housing Plan and of the new Action Plan of the European Pillar of Social Rights (2026-30);
• Focus on coordinated civil society action to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and explore the role of civil society in supporting vulnerable persons;
• Strengthen the role of the social economy as important economic actors in their own right, who deliver necessary and affordable services to vulnerable people;
• Continue to urge the European Commission to deliver ambitious proposals for the second half of the EU Disability Strategy 2021-2030;
• Explore joint actions with civil society to reduce the levels of homelessness within the EU.

1.3 Providing opportunities for young people through:

a) The structured participation of young people in EU policy-making

Actions

• Continue the vital work of the EESC’s Youth Group and of the EESC Youth Test;
• Enable the Committee to further develop as the leading platform for youth dialogue at the EU level, seeking structured cooperation with EU institutions, notably within the context of the EU Youth Dialogue process;
• Defend and support youth organisations within and beyond the EU, including by strengthening or developing structured dialogue with youth representatives from candidate countries.   

b) The protection of the emotional health of young people and children

Actions

• Raise the profile of the ‘silent’ crisis affecting the emotional health of young people and children, through collaboration with the European institutions, Member States, local administrations, the private sector, civil society and think-tanks;
• Encourage the exchange of data, best practices and the implementation of common actions at the European level;
• Explore opportunities for EESC involvement in implementing the Youth Strategy and EU Action Plan against Cyber-bulling.

Pilar 2 – A UNION OF SECURITY

Democracy and civic freedoms require constant protection. Shrinking civic space, underfunding of civil society, challenges to European values, media independence and rising disinformation all undermine people’s security and trust. This pillar positions the presidency as a defender of civic space, democracy and media freedom, in close partnership with wider European civil society.

Moreover, it focuses attention on the need for the EESC and the EU at large, to invest in proactive strategies to better manage crises and engage in civil preparedness. Effective preparedness and the management of security risks require holistic approaches and close cooperation between civil society, the public sector, Member States and the EU. It is precisely this mindset of unity that constitutes an essential dimension of the EU’s global strength and security.

Finally, this pillar seeks to re-affirm the Committee’s solidarity with civil society outside the EU, to highlight the need for more foresight in the Committee’s activities and to draw attention to threats to European internal security.

2.1 Ensuring a Union of security by fighting against the shrinking space for civil society, defending European democracy and values

Actions

• Raise the profile of the soft power of EU bodies in harnessing the democratic legitimacy of European institutions, for example, by convening a high-level conference on the topic;
• Enhance the impact of civil society in EU policy-making through social and civil dialogue, a key role for the EESC within the European Civil Society Platform, as well as contributing to the implementation of the wider EU Civil Society Strategy;
• Engage in awareness-raising on the need for sufficient funding for civil society and democracy building in the upcoming Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF);
• Directly involve the EESC in the follow-up to the EU Democracy Shield, notably in policy proposals and actions to counter disinformation, as well as foreign information manipulation and interference;
• In this context, organise a high-level conference on media freedom with like-minded partners;
• Contribute to the establishment of a European Centre for Democratic Resilience and to the creation of an EU Media Resilience Programme;
• Involve the EESC in the implementation of a full EU equality agenda, the new LGBTIQ Equality Strategy, the Anti-racism Strategy and the Commission’s Roadmap for Women’s Rights.

2.2 Ensuring a Union of security by implementing the Preparedness Union Strategy

Actions

• Pursue a role for the EESC in EU structures mandated to implement the EU’s Preparedness Union Strategy;
• Launch an EESC initiative or structure to ensure the Committee’s own preparedness, readiness and continuity planning;
• Assist in involving civil society from candidate countries in EU cooperation plans on preparedness and reaction;
• Integrate preparedness and resilience into EESC bilateral partnerships with non-EU countries and multilateral cooperation.

2.3 Ensuring a Union of security through outward engagement

Actions

• Re-affirm the Committee’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people and its commitment to support Ukrainian civil society;
• Enhance the EESC’s ability to rapidly react to emergency situations within the entire EU, through improved foresight and internal coordination;
• Maintain the Committee’s commitment to the EESC’s enlargement candidate members initiative, with a view to supporting candidate countries’ progress towards EU accession;
• Continue to engage with and strengthen civil society in the EU neighbourhood and beyond;
• Anticipate and draw attention to future economic and social crises that will impact the EU, for example, climate refugees and the negative health consequences of climate change;
• Contribute to EU reflections and future implementation of the European Internal Security Strategy, focussing on crimes and threats to physical and digital infrastructure.

Pilar 3 – A UNION OF RESILIENCE

The EU’s capacity to adapt to climate, industrial, territorial and demographic challenges, among others, will define its future. This pillar links the concept of resilience with the three dimensions of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Balancing competitiveness with sustainability, territorial fairness and resource management, it demonstrates the need for integrated, long-term strategies that benefit the entire European population.

Strong EU leadership on global efforts to manage climate change and biodiversity loss must continue, through the European Green Deal and the UN’s Conferences of the Parties (COPs). Similarly, the continuity of the Blue Deal and a flagship commitment to water resilience offer a clear entry point for public engagement, while the revision of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), rural proofing, food security and the skills agenda broaden the resilience perspective.

3.1 Building a resilient Union through sustainable growth

Actions

• Engage closely with civil society and the European institutions on the negotiations on the MFF, with a view to balancing investment across social, defence, innovation, agricultural and regional priorities;
• Support strong and long-term EU competitiveness by helping to create a favourable investment and entrepreneurship climate within the EU;
• Prioritise the completion of the single market, a dynamic EU industrial base and employment creation, by focussing on research, innovation, the digital and green transitions;
• Focus on closing the innovation gap, strengthening critical technologies in Europe and on creating high-value jobs, with particular attention to renewable energy technologies where the EU can maintain a competitive edge;
• Contribute to the implementation of the EU Quality Jobs Roadmap, with a view to promoting a just transition for all and human-centred artificial intelligence, notably in the workplace;
• Continue to promote the development and implementation of an inclusive European Skills Agenda and the Union of Skills.

3.2 Building a resilient Union by promoting sustainable agri-food systems, ensuring food security and supporting viable rural communities

Actions

• Promote the environmental, economic and social opportunities of a European bio-economy strategy and its implications for EU employment, rural areas, the just transition, innovation, industrial policy and competitiveness;
• Continue to engage with the European institutions and civil society on devising a sustainable and resilient CAP post-2027;
• Prioritise holistic rural strategies and rural proofing of EU policies, with the direct participation of rural communities, urban actors and civil society;
• Work closely with the European Commission on implementing its Initiative on the Generational Renewal of Farming;
• Actively contribute to the implementation of the EU roadmap for key strategic proposals of the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food.

3.3 Building a resilient Union by addressing climate change and biodiversity loss, while ensuring sustainable water management and water resilience

Actions

• Contribute to maintaining high EU ambition on the European Green Deal;
• Continue to channel civil society’s recommendations on climate change and biodiversity loss through international processes, notably the UN COPs;
• Prioritise the role of the Committee in the implementation of the European circular economy;
• Maintain the Blue Deal as a strategic priority for the Committee and update the EESC’s Blue Deal declaration;
• Seek to become an active member of the announced Water Resilience Forum and to establish a Water Stakeholder Platform, together with other EU institutions, as proposed in the Blue Deal Declaration;
• Encourage the European Commission to adopt a Water Test, to which all legislative proposals should be submitted to ensure policy coherence.

Séamus Boland
President of the EESC