The EESC issues between 160 and 190 opinions and information reports a year.
It also organises several annual initiatives and events with a focus on civil society and citizens’ participation such as the Civil Society Prize, the Civil Society Days, the Your Europe, Your Say youth plenary and the ECI Day.
Here you can find news and information about the EESC'swork, including its social media accounts, the EESC Info newsletter, photo galleries and videos.
The EESC brings together representatives from all areas of organised civil society, who give their independent advice on EU policies and legislation. The EESC's326 Members are organised into three groups: Employers, Workers and Various Interests.
The EESC has six sections, specialising in concrete topics of relevance to the citizens of the European Union, ranging from social to economic affairs, energy, environment, external relations or the internal market.
In the coming months, the Hungarian Presidency will have a crucial role to play at Europe’s helm. At a moment of political renewal, the EESC intends to be a responsible partner for the Hungarian Presidency, and play a pivotal role in shaping some of the political priorities that will be developed throughout the next European cycle.
In the coming months, the Belgian Presidency will have a crucial role to play at Europe’s helm. The European Economic and Social Committee will work closely with the Belgian Presidency to build a stronger, more resilient, and more democratic Europe.
In the coming months, the Spanish Presidency will have a crucial role to play at Europe’s helm. The European Economic and Social Committee will work closely with the Presidency in building a more resilient, inclusive and safer Europe, one that delivers for its citizens and effectively tackles the challenges ahead.
As Sweden takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the ongoing crises of the war in Europe, the accelerating energy crisis and economic stagnation continue to be among the main political focus points. Our shared aims are to safeguard sustainable growth and competitiveness, while executing the green and digital transition and define our standing in the world and the well-being of our citizens.
The EESC is committed to contributing to the Swedish presidency and to working together to restore much needed balance and stability in Europe.
The Czech presidency of the Council of the EU will have to cope not only with the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine but also with the lingering economic consequences of this war. The fact that Europe has not yet fully recovered from the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic only makes the challenge greater.
The French Presidency of the Council of the European Union comes at a vital moment, while the European Union is facing many challenges – health, social, economic and environmental.
The European Economic and Social Committee is committed to collaborating closely with the French presidency and is looking forward to working together for a strong European Union, close to its citizens.
In the second half of 2021, Slovenia will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU. One of the Slovenian presidency’s key priorities focuses on the EU’s preparedness for and resilience to crises – particularly in the areas of pandemics and health, but also of cybersecurity. The EESC is looking forward to working closely with the Slovenian Presidency, especially since our priorities are closely aligned: the EESC is also focusing on recovery, on fair, green and digital transitions, and on defending the rule of law.
"The EESC is looking forward to cooperating closely with the Portuguese Presidency, especially since our own priorities are very much in line with theirs: we are advocating for an EU that prospers economically, and that is socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable."
The German Presidency should pave the way to a European recovery that invests in a care strategy
In the second half of 2020, Germany will assume the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The German Presidency comes at a time when the European Union is facing unprecedented challenges. While its programme and organisational possibilities are heavily impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, there is widespread demand and political energy to depart from business-as-usual modus operandi and embrace change.
In the first half of 2020, Croatia will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time since it joined the EU. The Croatian Presidency programme will rest on four pillars that will promote a strong, prosperous and sustainable Europe based on common values and the principles of equality, inclusiveness, cohesion and convergence.