The European Semester increasingly relies on Member States’ ability to implement reforms and investments. Delays often stem not from a lack of funding or policy guidance, but from administrative bottlenecks, limited technical expertise, excessive red tape, complex procedures or insufficient coordination across different levels of national government. The thematic debate will therefore examine how the European Semester could better assess and monitor administrative capacity at national level, as well as whether administrative reform should become a more prominent element in the country-specific recommendations. It will also examine what lessons can be drawn from the implementation of the national recovery and resilience plans, whether instruments such as the Technical Support Instrument could play a stronger role in supporting reforms. Finally, the aim will be to understand how these instruments can contribute, in the long term, to strengthening the capacity building of national administrations and stakeholders.
As part of the preparation of the EESC opinion on an EU Strategy for Islands, the European Economic and Social Committee, in cooperation with INSULEUR, will hold a public hearing in Syros, at the heart of the Cyclades. The hearing aims to bring together local and regional authorities, organised civil society, businesses, academia and citizens to exchange views on both the challenges and the untapped opportunities facing Europe's islands. Beyond discussing issues such as connectivity, demographic change, access to services and climate resilience, the event will highlight the unique assets of islands like Syros, including their strategic location, cultural heritage, blue economy potential, innovation capacity, renewable energy opportunities and sustainable tourism. The insights gathered will contribute directly to the EESC opinion by ensuring that the voices, experiences and aspirations of island communities are reflected in future EU policies and in the implementation of the first European Strategy for Islands which was adopted in June 2026.
As Europe seeks to strengthen its competitiveness in an increasingly fragmented global economy, the challenge is not only to boost productivity and innovation, but also to preserve the foundations of its social market economy. This high-level conference will examine how the EU can mobilise savings and investment, maintain sustainable public finances, and deepen Economic and Monetary Union to support long-term growth, resilience and convergence.
Public debate in the ECO Section on the The Multiannual Financial Framework after 2027 - Assessing progress and outstanding challenges. The event will take stock of developments in the negotiations since the Commission presented their proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework and discuss outstanding challenges.
A week ahead of the EU-Western Balkans summit, the European Economic and Social Committee held a conference in Vienna sending a clear message: civil society is essential for building trust between institutions and citizens and between the European Union and the region.
In the context of the work on the own-initiative opinion on the introduction of the digital euro, the ECO section decided to organise a public hearing bringing together experts from European and international institutions and various organised civil society.
