Press releases

  • Reference number
    37/2024

    At its annual conference on energy poverty, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) took stock of the alarming spike in the number of energy poor over the past year. The EESC sends a strong message to EU leaders and puts forward concrete proposals to achieve an affordable and stable energy supply while supporting vulnerable people, households and SMEs.

  • Reference number
    36/2024

    Just a few days after the 2024 European elections, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the EU’s national Economic and Social Councils met to discuss the state of play of the ongoing digital and green transitions. Their conclusions: organised civil society is clearly instrumental in helping to remedy the shortcomings.

  • Reference number
    35/2024

    At its May plenary, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) discussed lessons learned from the 2004 EU enlargement. The current geopolitical and security situations make further enlargement an even more urgent task for Europe.

  • Reference number
    34/2024

    With hate speech and hate crime rising at a frightening rate, Europeans are joining forces and stepping up action against all forms of hatred to send the message that there is no place for hate in the EU

  • Reference number
    33/2024

    The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has adopted two opinions at its May plenary, emphasising the crucial role of cohesion policy – the EU’s primary funding instrument for regional development – in future enlargements. The EESC calls for, among others, compliance tools to be included in accession treaties to address potential post-accession challenges, such as emigration and rule of law concerns.

  • Reference number
    32/2024

    At its May plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) called on the EU institutions to include young people’s views in EU policies on a regular and systematic basis. With just one week left until the European elections, the EESC has stepped up its own youth engagement by urging youth organisations to take part in the EESC Youth Test. Designed to strengthen the voice of young people in policy making, the "EESC Youth Test" call for applications will be open until 30 June.

  • Reference number
    31/2024

    20 years after the accession of Slovenia to the EU, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) gathered political and civil society leaders in Ljubljana to mark this symbolic anniversary, underlining the fundamental benefits of EU membership and reaffirming that the future of the Western Balkan region lies in the European Union. Speaking at the conference, EESC President Oliver Röpke stressed the EESC's continuous support to the gradual integration of the Western Balkan region in the European Union, announcing the 'Civil Society Enlargement Summit' in Brussels on 19 September. 

  • Reference number
    30/2024

    The European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee have signed a new cooperation agreement to strengthen and widen the involvement of civil society in future policy-making at EU level.

  • Reference number
    29/2024

    With 2024 marking the third year of the EU Organic Awards, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is urging businesses to put themselves forward for these prestigious prizes and take advantage of the growing interest across Europe in organic food and farming.

  • Reference number
    27/2024

    At its April plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) discussed the Talent Mobility Package. This initiative comprises a series of new measures designed to make the Union more attractive to talent from outside the EU, and to facilitate mobility within it.