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.

The reform of the European Citizens’ Initiative is underway

Cristina Barbetta

The European Economic and Social Committee has organised in its headquarters in Brussels the 7th ECI Day to shed light on the new European Commission’s reform proposal and to make the European Citizens’ Initiative a more efficient instrument of dialogue between the EU and its citizens

Future of Europe: Towards a European Education Area by 2025

Staff

With the debate on the future of Europe in full swing, the European Commission is setting out its vision for how we can create a European Education Area by 2025.

Financing of civil society is essential for democracy

Staff

The EU institution should promote a positive image of civil society organisations, preserve their independence and ensure they are properly funded, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) says.

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

Money from the ECB invested into gambling, oil and weapons

Marco Dotti

Everybody talks about it. But what is Quantitative Easing? And where does the money go? Corporate Europe Observatory has made a list of the beneficiaries of the European Central Bank’s corporate bond purchasing scheme. The results are disturbing, unless you think that oil, fancy cars, motorways, champagne, and gambling are a good place to put public money...

Change Please, when the homeless become baristas

Cristina Barbetta

The entrepreneur Cemal Ezel and The Big Issue, the world's most widely circulated street newspaper sold by homeless people, have launched a social enterprise helping the homeless, training them as baristas.

Nikosia. Free radio, free minds

Cristina Barbetta

It’s called Nikosia and it’s the first radio in Spain produced by people suffering from mental problems. The aim? FIght against the stigma surrounding psychiatric problems. Radio Nikosia is supported by many personalities. Among them singer and activist Manu Chao.

Prevent radicalisation: the role of civil society

Cristina Barbetta

The European Economic and Social Committee (Eesc) has organised a public hearing on “The role of civil society in the prevention of radicalisation of young people” in its headquarters in Brussels. The aim? Clarify how EU policy-makers can help civil society practitioners to successfully prevent radicalisation.

CIDSE: Change the Planet through your Daily Life

Staff

CIDSE in partnership with the European Economic and Social Committee, Broederlijk Delen, Entraide et Fraternité and Vita organises today a roundtable discussion on the power of citizens to move society towards fairer and more sustainable systems through their own innovative and local initiatives. During the event, CIDSE will release the awards of its first international photo competition “Inspire Change Through Your Lens”.