Mainstreaming Water Resilience in the EU Budget is a timely discussion on securing Europe’s water future. Discover how smarter EU investments can strengthen water resilience, sustainability, and preparedness, and how we should shape tomorrow’s funding priorities across programmes in the context of the EU´s next Multiannual Financial Framework.
The 3rd meeting of the EU–Albania Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) will bring together representatives of organised civil society and social partners from Albania and the European Union to exchange views on Albania’s accession process.
The meeting will provide an opportunity to assess the state of play of EU–Albania relations, discuss progress under the accession negotiations and examine the contribution of civil society to reforms under the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
Main topics will include:
Cluster 1: The Fundamentals of the Accession Process and the implementation of the Reform Agenda within the growth plan and facility for the Western Balkans
Cluster 2: Internal market, with a focus on Albania's preparations to join EU Single Market
Cluster 2 – Internal Market, with a focus on consumer protection
Overview of the civil society situation in Albania, including social dialogue
The participants will adopt Join declaration to be addressed to national authorities and the institutions of the European Union.
On 3 June 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Parliament (EP) will jointly organise a half-day event to present and discuss the key points of their opinions adopted on the Commission’s 2025 Single Market Strategy. This document is a major policy framework that leads the way into identifying major criticalities that still hinder the functioning of the Single Market and looks into a way forward to address them. It is therefore very relevant for the EESC and the CoR to bring the key perspectives of civil society and local actors to this discourse.
Join us on 2 June 2026 from 14:30 to 17.30 CEST in Brussels for an inspiring afternoon as the Consumers and Environment category of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), in partnership with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Environment, organises an EU Green Week partner event.
The conference is open to the public. This is an in-person event. Registration closes on 28 May 2026.
Trust and Partnership at the Heart of EU Enlargement
Event type
Conference
Location
ÖGB ,
Johann-Böhm-Platz 1 A
Vienna
Austria
On 29 May 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will organise a High‑Level Civil Society Conference bringing together EU and Western Balkans stakeholders to discuss the role of civil society in advancing EU enlargement, strengthening democratic resilience and supporting socio‑economic convergence in the region.
This public hearing will gather policymakers and civil society stakeholders to discuss on how public banks can better support EU industrial policy, innovation, the scale-up of EU businesses, and, ultimately, economic growth.
This public hearing will aim to present and discuss the European Commission's Action Plan against Cyberbullying, bringing together key institutional actors, civil society organisations, social partners and experts to exchange views on effective prevention and response measures. The discussion will contribute to the preparation of the EESC Opinion SOC/869.
This public hearing will aim to present and discuss the European Commission’s Strategy on Intergenerational Fariness, a new strategic framework to guarantee that current decisions are made with the future in mind, ensuring a fair balance of benefits and burdens across all generations. The event will gather key institutional actors, civil society organisations, social partners and experts to reflect on the Strategy's priorities and to contribute to the preparation of the EESC Opinion (SOC/868).
The event will be webstreamed (EN, original). No registration is needed and participation is free of charge.
Follow us on X: @EESC_SOC
Ask your questions to the panelists via Sli.do with the event code: #IntergenStrategy
The 15th meeting of the EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) under the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement focused on the implementation of the TSD chapter, labour rights, civic space in Viet Nam, and the future role of DAGs in monitoring the agreement.
Representatives from the European Commission provided updates on recent developments in EU-Viet Nam relations, including the establishment of a new EU-Viet Nam Task Force aimed at strengthening technical and political engagement on key implementation issues under the EVFTA. Members welcomed efforts to reactivate the agreement’s institutional structures but stressed that deeper bilateral cooperation must remain linked to concrete progress on sustainability and labour commitments.
Discussions highlighted persistent concerns regarding the ratification and implementation of ILO Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association, labour inspections, and the broader shrinking space for civil society and human rights defenders in Viet Nam. Members reiterated the importance of maintaining pressure on Viet Nam to fully implement its TSD obligations.
Saskia Bricmont (MEP) exchanged views with members on the role of the European Parliament in monitoring the implementation of the EVFTA, particularly regarding labour rights and human rights commitments. Participants stressed the need for stronger involvement of DAGs in institutional discussions and closer cooperation with the European Parliament.
The meeting also addressed the follow-up to complaints submitted under the EU’s Single Entry Point mechanism and discussed the potential role of civil society under the upcoming Forced Labour Regulation.
Finally, members confirmed priority areas for future work, including sustainable fisheries, women’s empowerment, and continued engagement on ILO conventions, ahead of future joint meetings with the Vietnamese DAG.
