Coronavirus response: EESC calls for swift approval of EU recovery plan

Staff

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) backs a number of Commission proposals to speed up European recovery, underlining that the involvement of civil society organisations is essential

"We must be united for the future of Europe, and now is the time for action", say EESC president Luca Jahier and European Commissioner Elisa Ferreira

Staff

At its June plenary, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted a debate on the recovery of the European economy following the crisis brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, stressing that the focus must now be on implementing the European Commission's plan

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

Luca Jahier: "The EU must rise from the ashes of the #Coronacrisis"

Luca Jahier

Luca Jahier, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC): "We have now more than ever the chance and the obligation to rise from the ashes of the Corona crisis like the Phoenix. My strong support to the European Commission and European Parliament: the EU Council cannot fail! Europe must not only be saved, it must be relaunched!" (...) "We want to be able to say, on 23 April, that the EU has been up to the challenge and has done #WhateverItTakes to save its people, relaunch its economy and show the face of a new Union, more resilient and cohesive. This will be our #rEUnaissance"

The social economy can be an economic model for tackling the dual challenges of ecological emergency and social crisis

Staff

Such is the message to the European institutions from the social economy actors meeting in Strasbourg – European capital of the social economy 2019, for the 4th European Day of Social Economy Enterprises, just as the European Parliament gives the green light to Ursula von der Leyen's new team

Circular Economy: time to unleash the power of consumers, urges the EESC

Staff

So far, actions to boost the development of a circular economy in Europe have centred on production, getting industries to introduce circular business models and bring circular options to the market. Now conditions are ripe for getting consumers involved, and empowering them to make sustainable purchasing choices in their daily lives, says an EESC report adopted in July

A small step forward for human rights

*Valentina Pavarotti

Today ends the week of negotiations at the UN in Geneva for the Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights, an instrument that could protect the rights and the environment of many communities around the world.

Social Enterprise World Forum underway

Staff

SEWF 2018 returns to Edinburgh, where it began 10 years ago. From the 12th to the 14th of September over 1000 delegates coming from tens of countries around the world will gather to share insights and learn from the example of Scotland, that has a vibrant social enterprise scene

Social enterprises, it is time to be recognised and scale up

Cristina Barbetta

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has organised the 3rd European day of Social Economy Enterprises (SEEs) in its headquarters in Brussels. The day has gathered policy makers and actors of the sector to review the progress made in building an ecosystem for SEEs and to see what the next steps are for this enterprise model to be recognised and more widely disseminated

Luca Jahier, the new president of the EESC, vows to revive civic engagement for a sustainable Europe

Staff

Elected as 32nd president of the European Economic and Social Committee, the EU body representing organised civil society, in his inaugural speech Mr Jahier invited all participants to dream with him of a re-energised Europe and to work together for a second European Renaissance.