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.
Civil society representatives of both sides to hold a debate on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) negotiations between the EU and Morocco and adopt a joint statement to be sent to the negotiating parties.
584th plenary session, with the following guests: Pierre-Yves Dermagne, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy and Employment, Belgium, David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Middle Classes, the Self-Employed, SMEs, Agriculture, Institutional Reforms & Democratic Renewal, Belgium, Tinne Van der Straeten, Minister of Energy, Belgium.
The 10th meeting of the EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), and second meeting of the new 2023-25 term, took place on 9 January, 2024.
During this 9th meeting of the EU DAG set up under the EU-UK TCA, while looking already ahead to 2024 work and upcoming events, an exchange of views on the joint meetings took place, including a debriefing on the DAG-to-DAG meeting and CSF held in London on 6 and 7 November as well as a discussion on the improvement of methodology in preparation for joint statement exercise and of the EU DAG's working methods in general. Following best practices, structured dialogue with the Commission carried on, this time with a debrief of the 3rd meeting of the Trade Partnership Committee under the UK-EU TCA on 7 December 2023 and of the latest Trade Specialised Committees and stocktake on the 2nd Civil Society Forum.
In late November, the European Commission is expected to kick-off the annual cycle of economic policy coordination, including the publication of the new recommendations for the euro area for 2024. The EESC will contribute to the interinstitutional discussion with its opinion putting forward consideration from a civil society perspective.
The 14th meeting of the EU-Ukraine Civil Society Platform (CSP) took place on 15 December 2023. During the meeting, a debate focused on assessing the implementation of the European Commission's opinion and the state of play of the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
In addition, the CSP discussed the initiatives for Ukraine's green recovery, economic integration of Ukraine to the EU, as well as current challenges related to labour market.
A joint declaration, prepared by both sides, was discussed and adopted.
On Friday 15th December 2023, the EESC will host a public hearing to gather the views of the European Commission, rural development actors and various stakeholders on how to foster the implementation of the Long-Term Vision of EU's Rural Areas.
583rd plenary session: Celebration of the 65th anniversary of the European Economic and Social Committee; The Conclusions of the Spanish Presidency of the EU; Global climate commitments: reflecting on the outcomes of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP28.Web streaming
As in the previous years, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will actively take part in the annual United Nations Framework on Climate Change – COP28, which this year will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 November until 12 December 2023. This year's COP marks the 31st anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.