Europe must strive to invest in its defence and security while also preserving its social model. Financial trade-offs might be needed due to geopolitical challenges that require us to rethink European priorities. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) can facilitate honest social dialogue on the EU’s new needs.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has adopted an opinion on the European Commission’s mid-term review of cohesion policy 2021–2027, urging the EU to adapt to evolving priorities while staying true to the policy’s founding aim: to reduce regional disparities. During a plenary debate with Commission Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, the EESC called for greater flexibility, more effective funding tools, fair access for all regions and a more robust EU budget to support long-term investment.
A high-level conference convened in Warsaw under the auspices of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union highlighted the importance of adopting a comprehensive Europe-wide policy framework on rare diseases.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the European Training Foundation (ETF), and Eurofound are joining forces on 3 April in Tirana for a high-level event focused on promoting effective social dialogue and collaboration in the Western Balkans. Titled Enhancing quality of work and life through effective social dialogue in the Western Balkans, the by-invitation-only event will bring together key stakeholders to explore challenges and opportunities in the region’s labour markets and social policies.
As the European Union undergoes significant transformation, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) plays a key role in evaluating and influencing the European Commission’s 2025 Work Programme, which outlines the EU’s legislative and policy priorities. During its plenary session, the EESC discussed these priorities with Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, emphasising economic resilience, social equity and sustainability.
In a debate with the Commissioner for Democracy, Michael McGrath, the EESC warned about ongoing efforts to silence, discredit and weaken those who stand up for democracy, social justice and fundamental rights, and expressed its readiness to join forces with the Commission to protect Europe’s civil society and fight polarisation
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to strengthen the bargaining position of farmers in food chains. However, it calls for more ambition in the Common Agricultural Policy.
The weight of strengthening cohesion to depolarise societies falls on the shoulders of civil society organisations, who have the strength and the motivation to protect civic and democratic spaces. This was the key message from Civil Society Week, hosted for a second year by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) to discuss the alarming trend of widespread polarisation across EU societies.
The European Citizens’ Initiative has proved to be an effective tool for increasing citizens’ participation in the political life of the EU. But it must be reinforced to counter the risk of the EU institutions becoming detached from ordinary Europeans.
