The EESC issues between 160 and 190 opinions and information reports a year.
It also organises several annual initiatives and events with a focus on civil society and citizens’ participation such as the Civil Society Prize, the Civil Society Days, the Your Europe, Your Say youth plenary and the ECI Day.
Here you can find news and information about the EESC'swork, including its social media accounts, the EESC Info newsletter, photo galleries and videos.
The EESC brings together representatives from all areas of organised civil society, who give their independent advice on EU policies and legislation. The EESC's326 Members are organised into three groups: Employers, Workers and Various Interests.
The EESC has six sections, specialising in concrete topics of relevance to the citizens of the European Union, ranging from social to economic affairs, energy, environment, external relations or the internal market.
As we reach the midpoint in the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), it is crucial that we take stock of our progress and adapt our plans to the evolving challenges and opportunities we face. The ECO section organise a High level debate with the European Parliament´s rapporteur, Mr Jan Olbrycht, and Mr Eric von Breska, director, DG BUDG, European Commission.
At a time of increasing geopolitical rivalry and the steady erosion of the multilateral rules-based trading system, EU’s competitiveness has taken centre stage in the EU agenda.
The 9th EU-Korea Civil Society Forum (CSF) took place on 4-5 September 2023 in Brussels. The event started with a workshop discussing cooperation in international fora on environment and climate and the state of play of CSR in the EU and Korea.
The 12th meeting of the EU-Moldova Civil Society Platform took place in Chisinau, Moldova, on 1 September 2023. During the meeting, a debate focused on assessing the progresses of Moldova in the implementation of the Association Agreement and the European Commission's recommendations regarding its accession to the EU.
The Platform looked at progresses and challenges in reforming the justice sector, implementing human rights commitments, enhancing gender equality, and fighting violence against women, as well as in implementing commitments in economic, social and public administration reforms, including work motivation and negotiation of the minimum wage increase.
Furthermore, the participants discussed the role of Moldovan civil society organisations in human development capital and proposals for enhancing the dialogue with civil society.
A joint declaration, prepared by both sides, was discussed and adopted.
The 9th meeting of the EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), and the first meeting of the new 2023-25 term, took place on 19 July, 2023.
The EU Side Event hosted jointly by the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee will allow for a conversation with civil society on how to boost the implementation of the SDGs. The event takes place in the context of the 2023 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
The European Economic and Social Committee is organising the 3rd edition of its conference on energy poverty on 18-19 July 2023 in Brussels. This follows on from the EESC's conferences in 2021 and 2022 on this important issue.
As in previous years, the European Economic and Social Committee, as the body representing organised civil society in the EU, will be following the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which will take place in New York from Monday 10 July to Wednesday 19 July 2023.
The sustainable economy we need - With Executive Vice-President Timmermans
10:30 - 11:30 CEST - Webstreamed
Brussels
Belgium
Following the success of the previous Youth Climate and Sustainability Round Tables, the EESC will host the fourth EU Youth Round Table on Tuesday 18 July, 10:30-11:30 CEST. Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, will participate in the event and will engage with the youth representatives on the topic: the sustainable economy we need for a successful implementation of the European Green and Social Deal.
The focus of current informal discussions in the Council is on how cohesion policy can adjust to the new circumstances following the unforeseen shocks that Europe has faced in the last years without losing its long-term development goals. The Spanish Presidency refers to "Cohesion policy 2.0" in this context, which particularly means that cohesion policy needs to be transformed and become more modern and flexible. Also, it will need to take into account the RRF which will come to an end at some time.