The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has adopted a new opinion urging the EU to place reindustrialisation at the heart of its response to the cost-of-living crisis. This is part of a broader EESC strategy aimed at tackling Europe’s ongoing cost-of-living crisis through a series of sectoral and umbrella opinions. The Committee argues that a stronger industrial base is key for securing quality jobs, boosting innovation and strengthening Europe’s economic resilience.
On 25 June 2025, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held an event in the context of European Public Diplomacy Week, launched for the first time by the European External Action Service (EEAS). The participants highlighted a fundamental dimension of European action, the contribution of civil society to public diplomacy, from international trade to water, through enlargement. When official diplomacy has limited outreach due to political or other issues, civil society can provide added value.
At a conference held at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), participants discussed the challenges facing the construction sector in the European Union and pointed out that future measures must be aimed at enhancing workforce skills, reducing construction costs, improving workers’ protection and ensuring fair competition.
At its June 2025 plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted a forward-looking opinion on the future of the EU Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, calling for a more ambitious and binding approach for the 2025–2030 period.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has called on the EU to scale up regenerative agriculture, saying it can help rebuild soil health, restore biodiversity, and protect food production from extreme weather events resulting from climate change.
At its June plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted two opinions calling for bold EU steps to protect public health by boosting cybersecurity in hospitals and securing supplies of critical medicines. These challenges demand concrete investment, smarter cooperation, and a rights-based approach that puts people’s well-being first.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has adopted an opinion supporting the European Commission’s ambition to simplify tax reporting obligations across the EU, reduce administrative burdens, especially for SMEs, and improve the effective use of tax information by authorities. The EESC stresses that simplification must avoid creating loopholes or unfair tax shifts, while also calling for harmonised rules, clearer guidance and enhanced digitalisation.
At its June plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted a pivotal opinion addressing the growing threat of social exclusion and marginalisation driven by the erosion of purchasing power. This opinion, part of the EESC’s broader cost-of-living crisis package, focuses on the social dimensions of the crisis and outlines a comprehensive strategy to safeguard vulnerable populations and reinforce Europe’s social fabric.
The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is meant to protect everyone’s rights and freedoms in the Union. Yet, 25 years after it became legally binding, many still don’t feel its full impact. This gap was the focus of a hearing co-hosted by the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on 10 June, in the context of the Commission’s midterm review of its Strategy to strengthen the application of the Charter. The event brought together legal experts, civil society representatives and EU institutions to assess how the Charter is used today and what more is needed to mainstream its application.
