EESC launches "Civil society against COVID-19" web pages

Staff

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) demonstrates its members' commitment on the ground to tackling the coronavirus crisis by officially opening a special section on its website

Civil society organisations call to have a hand in designing Europe's recovery plan

Staff

Civil society organisations have been at the forefront of fighting the pandemic in Europe, often stepping in at a moment's notice to plug huge gaps in the public provision of social services and healthcare. Meeting remotely with the EESC on 12 May, they asked to be at the table with EU institutions and governments to help design a recovery plan for a sustainable Europe

Blockchain can have multiple applications in the social economy, but must not create a new "digital economy elite"

Staff

Originally associated with cryptocurrencies, blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) are in fact very versatile and can be usefully applied to the social economy. However, it is important to regulate them properly and gear them to benefits for all, allowing everyone to participate, says the EESC in a report tabled at its July plenary

France, circular economy helping the most needy

Cristina Barbetta

The Agence du Don en Nature (Adn) collects new non-food unsold products from enterprises and it redistributes them to the most needy thanks to a network of more than 750 local associations in France. Every year the Adn contributes to help 850.000 people in need and redistributes every week more than 600.000 euros of new products

France, a help to youth tourism

Cristina Barbetta

France has put at disposal 700,000 euros to favour the mobility of about 2500 young people who come from disadvantaged areas, in 32 departments. Associations of disadvantaged areas can apply.

Les Cuistots Migrateurs, the migrants' catering

Cristina Barbetta

2 Parisian entrepreneurs put together a team of chefs refugees , “to change the view on migrants and to enhance the cultural background they bring, their competence and their authentic and unknown cuisines”.

Getting to know role models: ENIL board member Marina Voudouri

Staff

Marina is originally from Greece, but has been living in Rome for many years, where she is sitting on one of the district’s governing bodies and is on the forefront of advocacy for independent living.

Less space for civic engagement in Europe

Staff

A survey of civil society organisations in Europe conducted in early 2016 by Civil Society Europe and CIVICUS shows evidence of shrinking civic space in the old continent.

Sofia, the 2016 capital of international philanthropy

Martina Borsotti

Transnational Giving Europe, TGE, has met in Sofia. The 19 network partners came together to take stock of the year’s activities, but above all to draw new directions to follow under the banner of solidarity. The priority for next year will be given to the promotion of transnational philanthropy and to the activities of the network itself with events and ad hoc partnerships.

Silvia Costa: «In 20 years of European voluntary service thousands of young people have kept Eu united»

Staff

The European Parliament approved a resolution on Voluntary Service and the promotion of volunteering in Europe. A step that will lead to the definition of the activities and volunteer status to facilitate European and international mobility.