Association of Former Members

At the end of their term of office, members of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) can join the Association of Former Members of the EESC (AFM). The AFM is a non-profit association based at the EESC’s premises in Brussels. To operate, it relies on members’ fees and technical and administrative support from the EESC.

The AFM’s main purpose is to maintain ties between its members and with the Committee. It also aims to help spread the European idea. To that end, it works to promote the European integration process and publicise the work of the EESC. It fosters cooperation between its members and the European institutions and promotes study and debate on issues of common interest to Europe.

Every year, the association holds its general assembly at the EESC’s premises. It also organises a trip on a proposal from former members, who can raise awareness of their country’s economic and social situation through visits to businesses, its political situation through a debate with local decision-makers and its heritage through visits to iconic landmarks. The general assembly decides on the destination of the following year’s trip, on a proposal from one or more of the association’s members.

Membership of the association is open to those who have served a full term as members of the Committee and have left this role. Moreover, some exceptions are provided for where members have not completed a full term for justified reasons, such as the performance of duties that are incompatible with membership or circumstances related to their country’s accession to the EU.