The EESC issues between 160 and 190 opinions and information reports a year.
It also organises several annual initiatives and events with a focus on civil society and citizens’ participation such as the Civil Society Prize, the Civil Society Days, the Your Europe, Your Say youth plenary and the ECI Day.
Here you can find news and information about the EESC'swork, including its social media accounts, the EESC Info newsletter, photo galleries and videos.
The EESC brings together representatives from all areas of organised civil society, who give their independent advice on EU policies and legislation. The EESC's326 Members are organised into three groups: Employers, Workers and Various Interests.
The EESC has six sections, specialising in concrete topics of relevance to the citizens of the European Union, ranging from social to economic affairs, energy, environment, external relations or the internal market.
How to speed up the Shift to Renewable Energy in Europe
Event type
Conference
Location
Online event
Brussels
Belgium
The Sustainable Development Observatory of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will host an online conference with the aim to assess the future development of photovoltaic systems and wind power plants and discuss how to build up the European renewable industry to avoid creating new dependencies.
As part of its work to prepare an opinion on the Commission package to better protect people from asbestos and ensure an asbestos-free future, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is organising a hybrid public hearing on 31 October 2022 from 10:00 am to 13 am.
The aim of the event is to gather input from other EU Institutions, civil society and academia on the following questions:
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Commission's package? • What kind of activities do different actors carry out to protect workers from asbestos exposure, and are there any best practices to be shared? Your participation and input are most welcome!
Following the European Gender Equality Week organised by the European Parliament (24-30 October), chaired by the Vice-President Evelyn Regner, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) supporting this initiative, is planning a series of thematic debates organised by the various sections.
This hearing will focus on topical questions such as the possible avenues to help MSMEs be well informed and prepared to grasp the opportunities of the transition to climate neutrality, coupling it with the possibilities offered by the digitalisation and hedging the current geopolitical risks. It will also take into consideration the challenges faced by the Belgian companies and the opportunities offered to them if they successfully adjust to the climate neutral and digitalised world.
With the following guests: Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, Evelyn Regner, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Prof. Leonardo Meeus, and Pegah Moulana, Advocacy Coordinator at Youth and Environment Europe.
Mini-hearing as part of the study group meeting on Semiconductors
Location
Room VMA3, EESC, Rue Van Maerlant/Van Maerlantstraat 2
Brussels
Belgium
The EESC is currently working on a new opinion document "Strategic autonomy and semiconductors - Addressing structural shortages and strengthening strategic autonomy in the semiconductor ecosystem".
The works are conducted through two meetings of a study group. The rapporteurs are Mr. Anastasis Yiapanis and Mr. Guido Nelissen. When ready, this opinion will be transmitted to European Commission, European Parliament and Council for consideration. Our first meeting will take place on 19 October 2022 (9h30-13h), and during this meeting a mini-hearing will take place with six stakeholders so that they can convey their vision of the semiconductors industry.
The EESC is organising a public hearing on "Climate justice and how it is affecting people with disabilities in Europe and in the world" on 19 October 2022.
Climate justice is a concept that addresses the just division, fair sharing, and equitable distribution of the benefits and burdens of climate change and responsibilities to deal with it.
People with disabilities, especially those living in low income countries, are among those most impacted by climate change. In addition, their human rights are most at risk of violation by inappropriate climate action. To avoid this, their meaningful participation in climate policy forums for the development of climate adaptation and mitigation plans is needed.
The aim of the event is to identify necessary steps to reach disability inclusive climate justice.