By Piotr Sadowski

When I was elected as co-chair of the EESC Liaison Group, I said that civil society is not a decorative element of democracy, but its beating heart. The Liaison Group was created in 2004 to connect European-level umbrella organisations and networks with the EESC, whose members come from national organisations. Twenty years later, that bridge is more essential than ever: it is what allows Europe’s citizens to shape the policies that affect their lives.

Diplomacy, bridge-building, dialogue and, above all, follow-up are the principles I live by because consultation without follow-up is theatre, and we have all seen that play out too many times. My ambition is to turn consultation into co-creation, where every idea has a life after the meeting ends, and every participant feels that their contribution truly matters.

That, for me, is what real dialogue means. It is not about everyone agreeing; it is about staying at the table when we don’t. Even when disagreements arise, civil dialogue demands empathy, creativity and persistence. Where we disagree, we try our utmost to find solutions because our shared purpose to defend democracy, human rights, the rule of law, solidarity and civic participation is always stronger than what divides us.

Looking ahead, my focus will rest on widening opportunities for participation, defending the safety of civic space and strengthening Europe’s resilience through foresight and cooperation. These are not separate strands but interwoven threads of the same democratic fabric, each dependent on the others for its vitality and success.

Opportunities, because inclusion is the lifeblood of democracy. We must open doors for smaller organisations, young people and under-represented groups, those often far from Brussels who deserve to be heard. Every time we bring a new voice into the conversation, democracy becomes stronger.

Safety, because democracy cannot exist without safe civic space. I have seen, in Serbia and elsewhere, what courage looks like. Their bravery reminds us of what is at stake and why solidarity must never be conditional or selective. Safety is also emotional: it is about the spaces we co-create, about environments of trust, openness and care. Vulnerability is not weakness, but courage.

Resilience, because the challenges ahead require preparedness, not just reaction. Civil society is Europe’s early-warning system, the first to sense when trust breaks down or exclusion hardens into anger.

I look forward to working with our new President of the EESC, Séamus Boland, and the respective presidents of the Employers’, Workers’ and Civil Society Organisations’ Groups, Sandra Parthie, Lucie Studničná and Cillian Lohan. I would also like to emphasise how important the EU Blue Deal is for me, professionally and personally. I see it as a defining example of how policy meets purpose. It proves that this house can lead not only on consultation, but also on proposing and gathering cross-sectoral support for indispensable, inclusive policies in areas that are vital to our safety, resilience and dignity, such as water justice.

Finally, one of my top priorities will be Civil Society Week: a visible, inclusive celebration of equality, solidarity, youth and foresight – a place where civil society feels at home and Europe feels alive.

Civil society is where democracy learns to dance again. Let’s keep the music playing.