European Economic and Social Committee

Our #EESCPlenary is here!    Follow our debates showcasing EU civil society's perspectives on:  🇩🇰 the Danish Presidency of the EU Council;  ✨ youth.    Our Enlargement Forum, also taking place, will help continue building bridges with EU candidate countries.    Tune in for live discussions here → europa.eu/!Vcqtrx      Some of our guests: Marie Bjerre, Glenn Micallef, Maida Gorcevic, Orhan Murtezani, Mersiha Jaskić, David Kereselidze, Confederation of Builders of Ukraine, Pelin Öztürk Yudu, Türkiye İşveren Sendikaları Konfederasyonu / Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TİSK), Dafina Peci, Centar za promociju civilnog društva, Evropski pokret u Srbiji, Kongresi Rinor Kombëtar (National Youth Congress of Albania).    #EUCivilSociety

The enlargement is more than a geopolitical strategy, it is a democratic promise.    At our Enlargement Forum, we called for legal frameworks in candidate countries that empower civil society organisations and social partners to actively shape, monitor and implement reforms.    Two key takeaways:  🇪🇺 young people from candidate countries must be at the heart of the enlargement process;  🇪🇺 our EU Candidate Countries initiative is entering a new phase – with new EU funding secured until 2027 to expand inclusion and deepen civil society engagement.    Civil society and youth in candidate countries must not only be heard but empowered to help shape the future of Europe.    Some of our guests: Maida Gorcevic, Minister for European Affairs in Montenegro; Orhan Murtezani, Minister for European Affairs in North Macedonia; and Antoine Kasel, Director at the @european-commission's Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.    Learn more: europa.eu/!Gy8MpB     #EUEnlargement #EESCPlenary

Skills development is key to accessing quality jobs. On #WorldYouthSkillsDay, we underline the importance of equipping youth with AI and digital skills, while building a future that takes their needs into account. We are committed to integrating young people’s perspectives into policymaking through our initiatives: ⭐ #YouthTest giving young people a voice in shaping EU laws; ⭐ #EUYouthRoundTables on climate and sustainability; ⭐ "Your Europe, Your Say!" youth event; ⭐ Youth delegate in the EU delegation to the United Nations #COP. Read more: europa.eu/!g6nmc9 United Nations #Skills

The European Migration Forum returns on 27–28 November 2025, bringing together #EUCivilSociety and EU institutions to shape the future of migration.    The Forum will focus on three topics:  ✔️  combating trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation;  ✔️  protecting migrant workers whilst fighting against their illegal employment;  ✔️  EU funds for labour market integration.    Want to join the conversation? Participation is by invitation, and the call for expression of interest is now open.    🗳️ Apply by 8 September 2025 👉 europa.eu/!cWtMHc     #EUMigrationForum #MigrationEU EU Funds

Respect for the rule of law is key to economic activity.    This is one of the central points in the latest European Commission Rule of Law Report.    In an own-initiative opinion adopted ahead of the report's release, our members:  ⚖️ stressed that respect for and enforcement of fundamental rights and the rule of law are essential to mutual trust between EU countries;  ⚖️ noted that existing instruments for addressing internal market infringements should be accelerated;  ⚖️ called for the inclusion of a fifth pillar in the Rule of Law Report.    While a fifth pillar was not included, we welcome the report’s recognition of the rule of law’s impact on the functioning of the Single Market and the business environment across the four pillars.    We will respond to the European Commission's call by continuing dialogue on the rule of law with EU civil society to foster greater engagement.     Our opinion → europa.eu/!6BMPqy     #RuleOfLaw #SingleMarket

🇪🇺 It is your voice! It is your Europe! But do you understand which European issues are decided by whom? This is crucial to make your voice heard and to tailor your action at national or European level. Don't forget that the EU can only act in those areas where the EU countries have authorised it to do so, via the EU treaties. Swipe left 👉 and see how those competences are divided. Learn more: europa.eu/!8bY8rH #EuropeanUnion #EUCivilSociety

Disability rights cannot wait. The Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030 introduced impactful initiatives like the EU Disability Card. To ensure lasting change, we call for a more ambitious and binding approach to guide its next phase. For the second half of the EU Disability Strategy, as of 2025, we urge for targeted actions, including: ♿️ a Disability Employment and Skills Guarantee; ♿️ a directive to ensure freedom of movement; ♿️ an EU Accessibility Agency with regulatory powers; ♿️ a Disability Action Plan in EU external action, among others. Read more: europa.eu/!WjY3Df #EUDisabilityRights

Housing is a cornerstone of social cohesion, but rising costs are making it harder for many to find a place to call home. How much have EU house prices risen in the last ten years?    Take a guess! Vote below and check the comments for the correct answer and to learn how we are working to make housing more accessible for all. 👇    Source: Eurostat   #EESCstories #EUHousing

The next #EESCPlenary is just around the corner! 📅    Mark your calendars for 16-17 July and join us for:  4️⃣ four debates on the priorities of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2025, trade and economic security, climate and peace, and youth;  1️⃣ an Enlargement Forum with representatives of the European candidate countries;  ♾️ opinions on cost-of-living crisis, peace and climate change, European Defence Readiness 2030, among others.    Our members will discuss all this with Marie Bjerre, Danish Minister for European Affairs, Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, among others.    Stay tuned for more → europa.eu/!FgCxGv    #EUCivilSociety

Supporting the EU enlargement process is one of our top priorities. 🇪🇺    How do we do it? By involving civil society from candidate countries directly in our work through our Enlargement Candidate Members (ECMs) initiative.    Since its launch, 147 civil society representatives from all EU candidate countries have joined our activities and contributed to 21 opinions. We are the first EU institution to offer such a space for civil society from candidate countries.     This July, we continue the journey with our Enlargement Summit during our #EESCPlenary on 17 July. ↓    Learn more about our work: europa.eu/!PtkvXF    #EUCivilSociety #EESCinAction