NEWS ON OUR ACTIVITIES: Civil Society Week 2026

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Registrations are now open for the third edition of Civil Society Week, taking place from 2 to 5 March 2026 at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels, under the title People, Democracy, Resilience – Our Future!

As the institutional house of organised civil society, the EESC will once again bring together civil society organisations, citizens, EU institutions, national Economic and Social Councils and stakeholders from across Europe, including candidate countries, for four days of exchange, reflection and cooperation.

The event will focus on tackling poverty, reducing social exclusion, involving citizens, and bridging divides across regions and generations to rebuild trust and foster lasting social cohesion. In this context, diversity, civic engagement, equality and inclusion are key pathways to renewing Europe’s social and democratic promise for future generations. Civil Society Week 2026 will offer a timely space to reflect collectively on these challenges in light of Europe’s evolving political, social and economic landscape.

The programme will feature a series of thematic panels led by the EESC Liaison Group's European civil society networks. European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) Day will take place on 3 March, highlighting participatory democracy and citizens’ involvement in EU policymaking. The week will also include a dedicated session organised by EU National Economic and Social Councils, as well as a screening of the LUX Audience Award film Deaf (Sorda) on 4 March and a Reception and Conversation to mark International Women's Day on 5 March.

Members of the EESC's Civil Society Organisations' Group will actively contribute to the debate, including as speakers:

Participants are invited to register now and follow updates on the programme via the event webpage: eesc.europa.eu/CivSocWeek2026