Public services should not primarily be regarded as a cost to public finances, but as a strategic investment in democracy, social cohesion, economic development and the functioning of the EU. This is the core message of an opinion adopted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on how the sector can adapt to new challenges in the EU.
Lors de sa session plénière de septembre, le Comité économique et social européen (CESE) a adopté des avis clés sur le paquet «passagers ferroviaires» de la Commission européenne, attendu de longue date. Le Comité recommande de mettre l’accent sur la protection, la transparence et l’inclusion des passagers, en soutenant la mise en place d’un système de réservation numérique unique et de plateformes de mobilité multimodale.
With the UN's targets still off track for 2030, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is calling for faster action. In a Resolution on the EU's priorities for 71st session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW71), the Committee highlights persistent barriers to women's economic independence and leadership, widespread gender-based violence and the need for stronger cooperation between EU institutions, Member States, social partners and civil society.
The 2026 EU Organic Awards have once again rewarded outstanding, innovative and sustainable projects across Europe’s organic value chain. The winners offer a tangible example of the social farming model promoted by the European Economic and Social Committee: farms that create jobs, enable workers to reach their potential and help rural communities thrive. In a newly adopted opinion, the EESC urges the European Commission and Member States to give such initiatives long-term support.
Lors de la session plénière de septembre du Comité économique et social européen (CESE), ce dernier et le Conseil économique, social et environnemental français ont réaffirmé leur volonté d’œuvrer en partenariat à défendre résolument le rôle et le modèle de démocratie participative qu’ils incarnent, avec pour but ultime de contribuer à bâtir un avenir meilleur pour les Européens.
At a high-level debate with European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on 23 September, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) backed simpler EU rules but called for stronger evidence, clearer safeguards and greater democratic scrutiny of the Commission’s better regulation plans.
Rural areas are essential to Europe’s prosperity and resilience, yet many people living there have poorer access to services, jobs and infrastructure. In an opinion adopted at its September plenary, the European Economic and Social Committee calls for a practical, EU-wide ‘rural proofing’ tool to ensure that policymakers assess the impact of decisions on rural communities from the outset. This approach should also shape the next EU budget and National and Regional Partnership Plans.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has welcomed the winners of the 2026 edition of the EU Organic Awards, celebrating three outstanding businesses that are helping make organic food more accessible, innovative and sustainable across Europe.
The winners were announced in Brussels on EU Organic Day, 23 September, during the official EU Organic Awards ceremony.
