European Economic and Social Committee

Monday 06 July

The Path to the Digital Euro – Shaping Policy Choices for Successful Implementation
The European Economic and Social Committee is organising a public hearing on the possible introduction of the digital euro and its implications for citizens, businesses and Europe’s financial system. Bringing together experts from European and international institutions and organised civil society, the event will explore the latest developments in the digital euro project and its potential impact on payments and monetary systems. Discussions will focus on financial stability, monetary sovereignty, payment resilience, innovation, financial inclusion and digital literacy, while considering how the digital euro could support Europe’s competitiveness and the international role of the euro.

Monday 06 July – Tuesday 07 July 

In defence of European values: The power of civil society
The European Economic and Social Committee is organising the 2026 Connecting EU Seminar on defending European values and the role of civil society in strengthening democracy, trust and resilience. Bringing together civil society communicators, EESC members, EU representatives, partner organisations, journalists and researchers, the event will explore how Europe can uphold its core values while responding to shifting economic priorities, pressure on civic space and growing disinformation. Discussions will focus on competitiveness, social rights, sustainability, democratic resilience and the role of communication, including how AI can support civil society communicators in reaching audiences and countering false narratives.

Tuesday 07 July 

Online public hearing: Reforming climate governance in the light of recent international judicial decisions
The European Economic and Social Committee will host an online public hearing on reforming climate governance in the light of recent international judicial decisions. Bringing together representatives from the United Nations, academia, businesses, trade unions, civil society organisations and youth representatives, the event will explore how global climate governance can respond to the current climate crisis and recent developments in climate litigation. Discussions will focus on COP decision-making, civil society participation, transparency and the role of international judicial decisions in shaping future climate action, feeding into the EESC’s own-initiative opinion on the topic.

Wednesday 08 July

Ending Forced Sterilisation: Advancing the Rights of Women with Disabilities
The EESC’s Permanent Group on disability Rights is organising a hybrid public hearing on ” Ending forced sterilisation of women with disabilities: Advancing the Rights of Women with Disabilities .” It will feature insights from EU institutions and highlight recommendations from persons with lived experience, civil society and disability organisations.

Empowering Civil Society in the EU Security
The European Economic and Social Committee is organising a hybrid public hearing on empowering civil society in EU security and advancing the civilian Common Security and Defence Policy Compact and the European Civilian Peace Corps. Bringing together representatives from EU institutions, Member States, think tanks and civil society organisations, the event will explore how organised civil society can contribute to EU security, civilian crisis management and peacebuilding. Discussions will focus on civil society participation in the CSDP framework, conflict prevention, mediation, long-term peacebuilding and the possible added value of a European Civilian Peace Corps, feeding into the EESC’s own-initiative opinion on the topic.

Thursday 09 July

Info session on the UN Convention on Biological Diversity process
The European Economic and Social Committee, in partnership with the European Bureau for Conservation and Development, is organising a hybrid event on strengthening the participation of farmers, fishers and forest owners in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity process ahead of COP17. Bringing together organisations active at EU and international level, the event will explore how these stakeholders can better coordinate, engage in biodiversity negotiations and contribute to the implementation of global biodiversity targets. Discussions will focus on the CBD process, capacity-building, stakeholder coordination and the role of civil society in supporting more transparent, inclusive and effective biodiversity policymaking.

More information about EESC events can be found here.
The agendas of the different EESC meetings can be found here.

Committee of the Regions 

Monday 06 July

9th ECON commission meeting
The CoR will hold its 9th ECON Commission meeting in Brussels to discuss key topics related to digital transformation, industrial policy and Europe’s competitiveness. Bringing together ECON Commission members, the meeting will address cybersecurity, defence industry, industry, maritime strategy and quantum technologies. Discussions will focus on the Cybersecurity Review and Digital Networks Act, the EU Defence Industry Transformation Roadmap, the Industrial Accelerator Act, the Industrial Maritime Strategy and the future use of quantum technology by local and regional authorities.

The future of the European Union’s Cohesion Policy in the next Multiannual Financial Framework post-2027
The CoR will hold an EU Local Dialogue in Ajaccio on the future of EU Cohesion Policy in the next Multiannual Financial Framework post-2027. Bringing together CoR members, regional and local representatives from Corsica and citizens, the event will explore how cohesion policy can continue to support economic, social and territorial cohesion while responding to emerging challenges. Discussions will focus on territorial disparities, the needs of islands and rural areas, place-based approaches, multi-level governance and the priorities that should shape EU investment policies beyond 2027.

Tuesday 07 July

Bringing Europe closer to local communities
The CoR will hold an EU Local Dialogue in Rome on bringing Europe closer to local communities. Bringing together regional and local councillors from across Lazio, the event will explore how EU institutions work and how EU policies, programmes and funding can support municipalities and local communities. Discussions will focus on EU information networks, services and opportunities for local authorities, the EU Local Councillors network and exchanges between Lazio, European institutions and local representatives.

Unlocking regional potential in EU funding and initiatives: Final conference
The CoR will host the final conference of the European Commission’s Technical Support Instrument project on unlocking regional potential in EU funding and initiatives in Brussels. Bringing together regional, national and European stakeholders, the event will explore how regions can better access, mobilise and benefit from EU funding opportunities. Discussions will focus on practical lessons from OECD work with Brussels-Capital Region, Silesia, Thuringia and Wallonia, including administrative capacity, governance across the EU funding cycle and how EU funds can support competitiveness, resilience and the green and digital transitions.

Thursday 09 July 

Engaging youth and democratic leadership in local politics
The CoR will hold an EU Local Dialogue in Warsaw on strengthening youth participation in local democracy. Bringing together local and regional stakeholders, young leaders, citizens and Young Elected Politicians, the event will explore how local and regional authorities can better involve young people in democratic life and decision-making. Discussions will focus on participatory mechanisms, civic education, digital tools, grassroots initiatives and the role of young leaders in shaping more inclusive, responsive and forward-looking policies.

More information about Committee of the Regions events can be found here. The agendas of the different Committee of the Regions meetings can be found here.