underscores the strategic importance of a high-quality, inclusive education and a skilled workforce for Europe’s competitiveness, social cohesion, and sustainable development. Addressing current challenges requires bold, systemic reforms and investment in inclusive, high-quality education and training systems;
stresses that the success of the Union of skills depends on effective and cooperative governance, adequate financing, and inclusive representation of social partners, national authorities and other stakeholders, including civil society organisations, teachers and learners
Believes the APS should be intersectional and gender-responsive, based on a multidimensional definition of poverty
Recommends setting ambitious, measurable targets, including the eradication of extreme poverty, and framing poverty as a violation of fundamental rights
believes that institutionalising civil and social dialogue accelerates the integration of candidate countries into the European social model, based on the representativeness and diversity of the social partners and civil society organisations, and their involvement in public decision-making;
notes that National Economic and Social Councils and other forms of institutionalised civil and social dialogue contribute significantly to strengthening the model of governance and participatory democracy. Hence, in states where they do not exist, the establishment of Economic and Social Councils will strengthen the role and place of social partners and civil society organisations in the consultation and partnership relationship with the governments of candidate and partner countries.
believes that the EU must strengthen its diplomatic and institutional responses to address the impacts of climate on peace and stability, especially in the new geopolitical order;
recommends that EU should invest in multilateralism and continue to lead globally in the call for climate action, especially considering the withdrawal of the United States from any reasonable responsibility on this issue;
believes that a renewed diplomatic strategy must be rooted in three key principles: integrating climate considerations into conflict prevention, strengthening multilateral cooperation and Investing in Green Development as a Peace Mechanism.
believes the EU must work towards a common defence policy within the broader framework of its foreign and security policy and establish a strong European Defence Pillar. To this end, the necessary legislative and financial measures must be taken urgently;
Calls for greater support for SMEs and closer collaboration with research institutions to meet defence needs and safeguard strategic autonomy;
stresses the importance of expanding international defence cooperation, particularly with key global partners, to enhance Europe’s security stance.
provides guidance for an ambitious TCA review, recommending integral roles for EU and UK DAGs due to their practical insights and experience of the agreement's impacts;
calls for an enhanced regulatory cooperation on non-tariff barriers which will provide the biggest opportunity to improve the bilateral trade relations – closer alignment of regulatory systems reduces frictions and yields considerable benefits;
calls for mutual recognition of standards and improved mobility for services to reduce border friction, lower trading costs, and boost fair market access, growth and job creation on both sides;
insists on a ‘future-proof TCA’ by incorporating the youth perspective, progressively removing barriers to seizing new opportunities.
calls for a holistic approach towards services of general interest policies (SGIs), as opposed to the current sectoral approach of EU policies, recognising the central role of modern SGIs in promoting sustainable prosperity and competitiveness. In this spirit, the EESC calls on the Commission to take action with concrete follow-up to the Letta report in the form of an SGI action plan;
Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies: The EESC calls for the European Commission to include FFS phase-out plans in European Semester recommendations and National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). These plans should feature clear milestones and prioritization measures.
Universal definition of FFS: The EESC advocates for a universal European definition of FFS, encompassing both direct and indirect subsidies.
Multi-Stakeholder platform: The creation of a multi-stakeholder platform is recommended to share best practices across Member States and civil society.
Redirecting funding: All European funding, as well as national State Aid, for new fossil fuel infrastructure should be terminated. Support should be redirected towards clean fuels and research and innovation (R&I).
Boosting sustainable farming: The EESC believes regenerative agriculture helps make food production more sustainable, while supporting climate goals, soil health, and biodiversity. It also helps farmers boost income and adapt to extreme weather.
Support for regenerative practices: The EESC welcomes the growing number of EU farmers using regenerative methods and urges the EU to better support and promote them through updated policies and regulations.
Clear, results-based definition: The EESC calls for a shared understanding of what ‘regenerative agriculture’ means, based on clear results that can be measured and verified—rather than a fixed list of practices.
