Expanding across borders in the EU means navigating a maze of conflicting VAT rules and paperwork, driving up costs. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in particular, face disproportionate compliance burdens, making it harder to scale up and compete. To cut red tape and boost competitiveness, the EESC calls for urgent reforms in two opinions adopted during its February plenary, building on the Letta and Draghi reports. Proposals include harmonised financial regulations, AI-driven reporting and a coordinated industrial policy.
This year, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is awarding its flagship Civil Society Prize to non-profit projects dedicated to combating the harmful polarisation of European society.
Artificial Intelligence is transforming the world of work at an unprecedented pace, bringing both opportunities and challenges for workers, businesses and policymakers. On 3 February, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) held a joint high-level conference entitled ‘Social Justice in the Digital Era: AI’s Impact on work and society’, gathering over 300 experts, policymakers and social partners and civil society representatives to discuss how AI can contribute to inclusive labour markets, decent work and social justice.
With artificial intelligence reshaping the workplace, it is crucial to continue promoting human-centric AI and advocating for policies that balance strong AI development in Europe with social justice and workers’ rights, a high-level debate at the EESC heard.
Les jeunes de la région méditerranéenne doivent être associés à chaque étape, de l’élaboration des politiques à leur mise en œuvre. Ils façonnent non seulement les politiques, mais aussi la vie, un point qui a été mis en lumière lors du débat tenu par le Comité économique et social européen (CESE).
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the EESC's Liaison Group, the founders and current members of the Group called for intensive action to defend European democracy, open public space and a just Europe.
Lors de sa session plénière de décembre, le Comité économique et social européen (CESE) a tenu son tout premier forum sur le logement, soulignant l’urgence de garantir l’accès à un logement décent, durable et abordable dans l’ensemble de l’Union européenne. Le forum a réuni des parties prenantes de haut niveau afin de s’attaquer à la crise actuelle du logement et d’explorer les solutions envisageables.
António Costa, the new President of the European Council, used his first appearance at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) to share his key priorities for the EU. He highlighted competitiveness as the basis for Europe’s future prosperity and reiterated his commitment to combining competitiveness with social rights to secure a sustainable future for Europe. In line with this, EESC President Röpke highlighted that the EU needs to strive for a competitiveness works for the many, not the few.
Lors de la conférence de haut niveau qu’il a organisée à Budapest, le CESE a pressé la nouvelle Commission européenne et les États membres de l’Union européenne de concevoir un cadre politique complet, assorti d’objectifs communs et mesurables, afin d’améliorer la prise en charge des maladies rares et d’accroître encore la coopération au niveau européen.
The 9th European Migration Forum, organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, focuses on how civil society can play a key role in the forthcoming implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, while highlighting the direct work of civil society organisations on the ground.
