The first EU Water Resilience Forum, co-organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the Committee of the Regions, and the European Commission, brought together people working on Europe’s water challenges to share ideas and solutions to protect water for families, communities and future generations. The Forum also launched the Water Resilience Stakeholder Platform to turn these ideas into action.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) argues that the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) needs to be bigger than the European Commission has proposed. The EESC also insists that civil society must be fully involved in discussions on the draft, warning that the role played by regions in managing EU funds is in danger of being watered down.
EESC's EU Consumer Day 2025 pointed to the urgent need to protect EU markets from an avalanche of cheap imports shipped by Temu, Shein and other third-country e-commerce platforms which are threatening to devastate the European economy and society, forcing European businesses to close and draining billions from public budgets
The pressure on civil society across Europe is growing. To help organisations stay strong, the EU needs closer and more practical cooperation between EU institutions and civil society groups. The announced civil society platform is designed to create a regular, structured space for this dialogue, with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) aiming to play a key role in it.
The 10th edition of the European Migration Forum (EMF), co-organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, called for continued collaboration between civil society, EU institutions and Member States to ensure that migration policies are effective, rights-based and responsive to the realities on the ground. The EESC reaffirmed its commitment to representing the voices of civil society and promoting policies that foster social inclusion, dignity and opportunity for all.
Water resilience was the focus as the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) met in Nicosia for its Extraordinary Bureau Meeting under the incoming Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU. Civil society representatives, experts and policy makers examined Europe’s water challenges and explored coordinated solutions.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has elected Alena Mastantuono as its new Vice-President, entrusting her with steering the Committee’s financial management for the first half of the 2025–2030 mandate.
At its inaugural plenary session on 22 October, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) elected Marija Hanževački, General Secretary of the Independent Trade Unions of Croatia, as its new Vice President. She will head up the EESC’s communication activities for the first half of its new five-year term of office, representing the voice of civil society across Europe.
The new president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) vows to put civil society at the heart of Europe through a people-centred programme that balances economic growth and social inclusion and ensures everyone has a fair chance to thrive. Topping his priorities are the eradication of poverty by providing opportunities and protecting and empowering civil society to ensure Europe stays true to its democratic and social core amid a shrinking of civic space and growing political and economic instability.
Ireland’s Séamus Boland has been elected the 35th President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) for the 2025–2028 term of office. A lifelong advocate for rural communities and social inclusion, he will guide the EU body representing organised civil society for two and a half years. His programme is devoted to providing opportunities through poverty eradication, securing democracy by protecting civic space, and ensuring the transition to a more competitive and green economy in a way that doesn’t leave anyone behind.
