The EESC stresses that the success of the Union of skills depends on effective and cooperative governance, adequate financing, and inclusive representation of social partners, national authorities and other stakeholders, including civil society organisations, teachers and learners. This opinion points at the importance of tailored support for SMEs and for women and disadvantaged individuals. It calls for improving the quality, inclusiveness, attractiveness, effectiveness and accessibility of vocational education and training and adult learning, and to make Europe more attractive to global talent. It asks that recommendations on education and skills be fully integrated into the European Semester process.
As emphasised in the Letta and Draghi reports, the two main challenges of EU R&I policy are: i) reversing the declining productivity of the EU economy and closing the competitiveness gap with other global scientific and economic powers; and ii) reducing the fragmentation of the European research area to allow for the free circulation of scientific knowledge, research and innovation referred as the ‘fifth freedom’ in the Letta report.
In early 2026, the Commission is expected to publish the European Research Area Act (ERA Act). EESC’s input through this own-initiative opinion (OIO) is intended to shape the ERA Act, ensuring that it supports a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and digital transformation, and aligns with these strategic visions.
The opinion will examine the impact of regulatory interventions on value chains, identify key challenges, and propose a new approach to ensure effective and balanced policymaking.
Download — Parecer do CESE: Looking to the future of EU-UK relations: 2026 Review of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) from a civil society perspective
Europe’s energy system is increasingly unbalanced due to intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar, often relying on fossil fuels for stability. Achieving balance is key for energy reliability, climate goals, economic growth, and technological innovation. This opinion explores how Member States can integrate renewables while ensuring system stability and advancing decarbonisation, focusing on managing intermittent energy effectively.
