Civil society driving the EU sustainability agenda

On 30 June 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee’s (EESC) Civil Society Organisations՚ Group will host a high-level conference in Cork, in light of the upcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Entitled Civil society driving the EU sustainability agenda, this event will take place at University College Cork from 10.00 to 13.00 local time.

At a time when the EU’s sustainability policies are facing increasing pressure, the role of civil society has never been more vital. Hard-won commitments on environmental protection, climate justice, societal resilience and other sustainability aspects risk being diluted just when they are most urgently needed. In these complex geopolitical times, Europe must strengthen its strategic autonomy and reduce its energy dependence to progress on its objectives under the EU Treaties. The only way forward is to invest massively and consistently in the energy transition and in a sustainable pathway. Civil society organisations (CSOs) and local communities are best placed to drive this change for the long term.

Civil society organisations, rooted in communities and guided by shared values rather than short-term interests, are uniquely placed to defend these ambitions and to reinvigorate the sustainability agenda with credibility, innovation and public trust beyond 2030. In addition to policy influence, CSOs play a crucial role in fostering public acceptance, implementing policies and supporting personal well‑being, strengthening social cohesion and empowering people to shape their own futures.

This conference will address the role of CSOs in advancing the sustainability agenda and the pivotal role of (local) communities in the endeavour to make European societies greener and more resilient.

Guest speakers include:

• Christopher O’Sullivan, Irish Minister of State for Biodiversity
• Frans Timmermans, former Executive Vice-President of the European Commission

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in English and French.

For more information, please consult the programme. Please note that the times indicated refer to Irish Standard Time (IST).

We warmly invite you to join us in person at this event in Cork. Please note that the EESC does not cover travel or accommodation costs.

For in-person participation, please register by 24 June 2026 via our registration form. 

The event will also be webstreamed. Prior registration for the streaming is not required.

For further information, please write to: Events-CSOGroup(at)eesc(dot)europa(dot)eu