European Economic and Social Committee

Democracy is a precious gift, passed on to us from previous generations.     We should never take it for granted. Use your vote at the EU elections from 6 to 9 June. Or others will decide for you.    More on how to vote on our website: europa.eu/!4JWRc3    #EUElections2024 #UseYourVote 

Inclusion starts with accessibility.    We celebrate the Global Accessibility Awareness Day by promoting the importance of accessibility for everyone both online and offline, regardless of their disability.     Recently, the European Parliament gave a final green light to the EU Disability Card and the European Parking Card for people with disabilities. This is a huge step towards removing obstacles and ensuring that citizens with disabilities can enjoy freedom of movement.     Both cards will be issued in physical and online formats and the access to information will be guaranteed by a fully accessible website in all EU languages and formats.    Your voices were heard, see more 👉 europa.eu/!fpPdtk    #EUDisabilityCard #EUParkingCard 

🗨️  "The EU is taking an important step towards a common culture of integrity and ethics and I am glad that we are an integral part of this endeavor." – EESC President Oliver Röpke.     Today, the EU launches the Interinstitutional Ethics Body.    The new EU body will establish common minimum standards for ethical conduct across the eight participating institutions. Key features:  🌟 Integrity: Promoting ethical behavior.  🌟 Transparency: Regular reports on ethical standards in internal rules.  🌟 Accountability: Holding institutions to these standards.    More information 👉 europa.eu/!V6grcB    #EthicsBody #EUDemocracy #EuropeanUnion 

We believe that the heartlands of Europe hold the key to its future prosperity.   In our own initiative opinion adopted at the April #EESCPlenary, we reaffirm our commitment to rural communities and the EU's long-term vision for rural areas (LTVRA). Key Highlights: 📜 Proposing a European charter of rights and responsibilities for a comprehensive EU rural strategy. 🌟 Advocating for continuous evolution of the Rural Action Plan and Rural Pact to meet dynamic rural needs. 💡 Emphasising inclusivity in decision-making, engaging stakeholders at all levels. 🔍 Establishing a European rural observatory for valuable insights into rural dynamics. 🚜 Promoting dedicated funding mechanisms and improved access to resources to support rural enterprises and projects. Discover more: https://europa.eu/!ytbmBb #RuralDevelopment #RuralPact

Curious about how our decision-making process works? 🗳️ 🇪🇺 During Open Day 2024 we offered an up-close view through a speed voting activity. If you missed the event, don't worry! You can now have a look at it on our YouTube channel. Get a firsthand look at how members from our three groups collaborate. ↓

Your concerns have been heard. The regulation on instant payment in euro has entered into force, and we are pleased to see that it includes the recommendations from civil society that we compiled in our opinions. What does this mean? → From now on, you can transfer money within ten seconds at any time of the day inside the European Economic Area. → Banks will enable instant payments in euros without exceeding the charges of standard transfers. → You will be notified before any transaction to prevent fraud. Read our opinion: europa.eu/!CWjH47 #EUCivilSociety

Empowering young leaders is paramount to us!   Here's what being our youth delegate to EU UNFCCC COP involves:  🌱 Participation: Engage in strategic and preparatory work before, during, and after UNFCCC COP meetings.   🌱 Guidance and Assistance: A youth task force, comprising partners like the European Youth Forum and Generation Climate Europe (GCE), will help you throughout your mandate.   🌱 Financial Support: Reimbursement for participation in meetings and missions will be provided.   Are you passionate about climate action? ✍️ Eligibility: Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old, nationals and residents of EU member states, proficient in English, and available for a two-year commitment.   📅 Application: The next selection process opens in December 2024.   More information 👉 europa.eu/!GcBtxR   #COP29

We want to bring the #WesternBalkans closer and faster to our Union.       We welcome the provisional deal reached by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament on the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans!     It's a new financial instrument to support:  🤝 the Western Balkans’ partners in tackling socio-economic and fundamental reforms;  📈 accelerate economic convergence with the EU;  🇪🇺  the partners' enlargement process.    The facility amounts to 6 billion euro for 2024-2027.    We reiterate the importance of ensuring that the EU's focus on stability and geopolitical interests does not come at the expense of the rule of law and democracy.    Our opinion 👉  europa.eu/!wfDjpb    #EUEnlargement #StrongerTogether 

As we celebrate Europe Day, let's not forget that peace, unity and democracy should never be taken for granted. On this day in 1950, the Schuman Declaration was presented, laying the foundation of what today we know as the European Union. Safeguard your beliefs, your values, your home, your Union, by voting in the next #EUElections2024. We are stronger together!    Read more: europa.eu/!4JWRc3   #UseYourVote #EuropeDay

Meet #NaviGate - our online strategic management tool!    It functions as a visual dashboard for our opinions, which can help you:  🧭 find who is responsible for which opinion;  🧭 check the opinions timeline;  🧭 mark & follow your favourite opinions.    Check this out: europa.eu/!4fktpx    #EUCivilSociety