In this Opinion, the EESC warns that democracy, the rule of law and European values face growing threats from both external actors, such as third-country governments and tech companies, and internal ones, including some Member States, extremist parties and 'uncivil' society. It calls for stronger EU action through stricter enforcement of rule of law standards and conditionality, protection of civic space, and simpler, fairer funding for civil society, starting with the next multiannual financial framework (MFF). The EESC urges embedding democracy protection in enlargement policy and supporting candidate countries to build resilience. The Opinion also highlights the fight against disinformation and propaganda, promoting media literacy, reducing digital dependence on third countries, and reinforcing initiatives such as EuroStack and East StratCom to strengthen democratic resilience.
This exploratory opinion, requested by the Danish Presidency, outlines how AI and Big Data can improve rare disease patient pathways and support the development of personalised treatments. It highlights the main challenges linked to their use, such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, affordability, and geographical accessibility. In the text, the EESC puts forward recommendations to ensure that these technologies are applied in an ethical, inclusive, and patient-centred way.
Prepared at the request of the Danish Presidency, this opinion recommends that the EU and the Member States ensure that occupational safety and health (OSH) protection and prevention of OSH risks are ensured for all people at work, regardless of their employment contract, job title, or training path. According to the EESC, this protection should include a minimum and comprehensive standard of physical, mental, and social well-being in the workplace.
The EESC recommends strengthening cooperation and shared responsibility among all stakeholders, particularly the social partners, to ensure effective OSH management. Active involvement of workers’ representatives and the promotion of social dialogue at company level are essential.
The EESC stresses the importance of stepping up compliance and enforcement of existing OSH rules as a key step towards achieving the Zero Deaths goal.
Download — EESK atzinums: How can an active and inclusive prevention approach contribute to better health and safety at the workplace – 0-death goals?
Given the significance of the provision of public goods for the well-being of the citizens, the EESC believes that particular attention should be paid to providing these European public goods (EPGs) and identifying them in the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) post-2027.
Special attention must be given to ‘functional EPGs’ – those linked to Article 3 TEU – that can ensure the normal functioning of the EU: the completion of the single market; the completion of the economic and monetary union; economic, social and territorial cohesion; EU open strategic autonomy (e.g. the joint EU health policy, food security, the EU energy union); defence and security; EU research and development; and the rule of law.
On 5 February 2025, the European Commission released its Communication on a “Comprehensive Toolbox for Safe and Sustainable E-Commerce.” The EESC opinion will build on this proposal to develop concrete measures that ensure fair competition with third-country online platforms.
EESC Call for fair competition with regard to third country platforms
The European Economic and Social Committee emphasizes the urgent need for climate action to prevent the worst impacts of climate change from affecting societies and, ultimately, the EU population, and views the European Climate Law as a key instrument in achieving this goal. CO2 levels emitted into the atmosphere have continued to rise globally, with a new peak being reached in 2023. The EESC is convinced that the greatest support for climate policy will be established if the overall aim is to achieve the highest greenhouse gas emissions reduction at the lowest socio-economic costs.
Download — EESK atzinums: European Climate Law amendment
The EESC assesses how the EU’s sustainable finance framework can be made more robust and fit for purpose given its importance for the EU’s economic, social and climate objectives. The EESC affirms that simplification should not come at the cost of ambition. While administrative streamlining is needed, the focus should be on how requirements can be implemented more effectively, not on weakening standards. The EU’s regulatory strength and predictability are important competitive advantages that should be preserved amid growing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
The opinion examines the role of start-ups and scale-ups in the EU economy, by taking into account the related Strategy adopted by the European Commission.
Download — EESK atzinums: How apprenticeships and dual learning schemes can bolster the skills that businesses need in order to face the challenges of the green and digital transitions
This opinion intends to discuss the relationship between water resilience, digitalisation and the green transition. It aims to propose recommendations to address the different challenges involving water, digitalisation and decarbonisation from an industrial perspective.
Download — EESK atzinums: Water resilience and the twin transition: Industrial approaches addressing the relationship between water, digitalisation and decarbonisation
The EESC opinion looks into how industry practices influence public health and contribute to the rise of non-communicable diseases, aiming to identify barriers to effective policies and propose stronger preventive measures.
Clean technologies are projected to continue expanding in turnover, investments and jobs. Thanks to ambitious climate targets, the EU is a global leader in high-value inventions and was an early mover in developing a cleantech production base. However, it has lost technological leadership in several sectors and its manufacturing base is eroding.
Download — Information report: Social media and AI algorithms: ensuring the right to accurate information and the visibility of high-quality content across Europe, especially about Eastern and Central Europe
