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In a context such as the one that Europe is experiencing, characterised by multiple crises, it is appropriate to promote a reflection on European public goods and on fundamental political priorities capable of ensuring the sustainable growth of the EU and the well-being of its citizens. This reflection gets ever more important in view of the upcoming negotiations on the next European Multiannual Financial Framework for the period post 2027.

The EESC is organising this public debate to discuss the framework of the own-initiative opinion on "The role of trade unions in improving productivity".

On 11 February, the European Commission published its 2025 work programme. Several initiatives in the work programme – initiatives to enhance competitiveness through the promotion of reforms and investments, both private and public, the new the Savings and Investment Union, as well as the next Multiannual Financial Framework, just to name a few – fall in the remit of the Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO) of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). We organise this debate to discuss with representatives of the Commission and the members of the EESC the conditions and actions needed for the EU and its Member States to successfully implement what is outlined in the Commission and achieve the shared goals of the Union.

The EESC is organising this public hearing to discuss the framework of the own-initiative opinion on "Leaving the crises behind – Measures for a resilient, cohesive and inclusive European economy". 

With the revision of the EU economic governance framework, which is built around the European Semester, the latter has also been adapted and strengthened in its coordination of the economic, budgetary, employment and social policies of the Member States. From 2024, national medium-term fiscal structural plans will replace the former national reform programmes and stability/convergence programmes. These plans, which have to be submitted by 20 September, should detail the reforms and investment that countries intend to adopt in order to strengthen sustainable growth, and should address the main challenges (digital, green and social) identified in the context of the European Semester (and in particular the country-specific recommendations (CSRs). The EESC sees a number of opportunities in this review and calls in particular for greater transparency in the Semester, for appropriate involvement of organised civil society and for proper monitoring of the implementation of medium-term fiscal structural plans. 

Public debate on Reforms for a more resilient economy for all: the new EU legislature with Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive and Chief Economist, European Policy Centre (EPC)

Public debate The involvement of youth in the work of the ECO section - Recent experience and way forward, organised during the ECO section meeting.

Public debate on 9^th Cohesion report: Lessons learned from the first years of the implementation of the programming period 2021-2027, in the framework of the ECO section meeting.

Public debate on reforms for a more resilient EU economy for all in the context of the upcoming 2024 Elections for the European Parliament.

This public hearing is being organised as part of the preparation of the exploratory opinion ECO/630 on "Boosting long-term inclusive growth through reforms and investment" requested by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU. It focuses on how to foster upwards social convergence and cohesion, in an economic governance framework defined around debt sustainability, productive investments and reforms. It also looks at the implications of such a framework for the European Semester and the strengthening of the European Pillar of Social Rights.