European Economic
and Social Committee
Programme
Community-led initiatives and the European Green Deal
14:30 | Welcome and introduction by ECOLISE and EESC
- ECOLISE Co-president, Mieke Elzenga (LiberTerra)
- EESC NAT section President, Peter Schmidt
14:40 | How to activate the potential of social change and community-led local ecological action within the European Green Deal
Moderation: Peter Schmidt, EESC
The political view from the perspective of the European Green Deal
- Daniel Mes, Member of Cabinet of the EVP Frans Timmermans, European Commission
The scientific view on transformative social innovation and the role of community-led initiatives in sustainability action
- Giorgia Silvestri, researcher DRIFT
14:55 | Presentation of ECOLISE's policy positioning process of community-led initiatives towards the European Green Deal: 10 theses towards transformational community-led local development policies
Moderation: Peter Schmidt, EESC
- Nina Klein and Amelie Krug, Policy Team, ECOLISE
- Tom Henfrey, researcher & writer, co-founder ECOLISE
15:05 | Delving deeper: Focus on 3 selected theses of the overall 10 theses, presentation of good practice examples
Moderation: Nina Klein, ECOLISE
- Ecodorp Boekel, project 'Sustainable housing and biodiversity': Ad Vlems, Ecodorp Boekel (NL)
- Public sector support for community-led initiatives, project 'Boost Eco-Citoyen': David Delsart, Transition Town France representative at the CTC (Collectif pour la Transition Citoyenne), ADEME (FR)
- Community Climate Coaches project & Communities 4 Climate Action: Davie Philip, Cultivate - The Sustainable Ireland Cooperative
- The bioregional approach: Isabel Carlisle, Bioregional Learning Center (UK)
15:35 | Discussion round with policy actors on the local implementation of the European Green Deal and the role of community-led initiatives
Moderation: Nina Klein, ECOLISE
- Laurence Graff, DG CLIMA, European Commission
- MEP Benoît Biteau, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Parliament
- Hanna Zdanowska, Mayor of Lódz, European Committee of the Regions
- Lidija Pavić-Rogošić, EESC member
16:05 | Interactive sessions in small break-out rooms (ZOOM, EN only)
Discussion of the grouped theses in each break-out room:
- SOCIETY: Citizen-led social innovations as catalysts for mitigating and adapting to the planetary crisis
- POLITICS: Participative democracy and multi-level governance as vehicle towards transformative policies and funds
- ECOLOGY: A good life within the planetary boundaries - Rethinking human-nature relationships
- ECONOMY: Moving towards a just economic system providing well-being for all
17:05 | Recommendations from the break-out rooms on the role of community-led initiatives and EU policies towards transformative systemic change
Moderation: Josep Puxeu Rocamora, EESC
- By ECOLISE partners and EESC members
17:20 | Wrap-up and outlook
- Conversation between ECOLISE Co-president, Mieke Elzenga, and EESC member, Josep Puxeu Rocamora, on the way forward
17:30 | Closing
Language regime: EN/FR/ES