The general objective of the new edition of the ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme will be to "strengthen remembrance and enhance capacity for civic participation at the Union level". The opinion, while strongly agreeing with this objective, sets out recommendations and specific changes that will allow the programme to be improved by bringing it still closer to citizens and better meeting their needs.
Download — EESC opinion: Europe for Citizens Programme (2014-2020)
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a high-level debate demonstrating that culture is not a luxury, but a strategic asset for democracy, social cohesion and Europe’s economic resilience. Speakers call for stronger political recognition and sustained investment to turn ambition into action.
The Civil Society Organisations' Group organised a photography exhibition in collaboration with the City of Culture of Galicia in the framework of its conference on EU food sovereignty: the role of agriculture, fisheries and consumers. The subject of the exhibition supported and complemented the Group's and the EESC's work on resilient and sustainable European food systems. The Group invited the Galician artist, Adrián Baúlde, to present parts of the series Mariscadoras.
At a time when war has returned to the European continent, culture needs, more than ever, to become a core strategic vehicle of the EU's foreign policy. To unlock its full potential, the EESC calls for the establishment of a fully-fledged multiannual strategic action plan on cultural diplomacy.
The permanent group on Inclusion of the Roma is organising a public hearing on 8 June 2026 on the topic of "United in Diversity: Roma Inclusion and Our Shared European Culture". The hearing will bring together policy-makers and civil society organisations to exchange views on how Roma culture is connected to a shared European identity, as well as on the visibility of Roma contributions in culture, media, and education across the European Union.
