In this discussion paper, we explore the concept of "societal innovativeness" as a key driver of transformative regional development, particularly within the context of regions facing structural weaknesses. Our explorative study delves into the multifaceted nature of societal innovativeness,...

Civil society organisations (CSOs) have been gradually expanding their role in monitoring the Code of Conduct jointly developed in 2016 by the European Commission and four large social media platforms to counter online hate speech. While their function was initially limited to collecting data...

This article examines global content governance on social media platforms through the lens of digital constitutionalism, which explores how fundamental rights can be embedded within the socio-technical architecture of digital technologies. It highlights the often-overlooked role of civil society...

2025 will constitute a very particular year for the Civil Society Organisations' Group due to the five-year renewal of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the transition to a new Group President, both occurring in October 2025. A third element of specificity will be the delayed...

2025 will constitute a very particular year for the Civil Society Organisations' Group due to the five-year renewal of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the transition to a new Group President, both occurring in October 2025. A third element of specificity will be the delayed...

In recent years, overlapping crises - ranging from the lingering effects of the pandemic to the escalating challenges of climate change, rising living costs, and widening inequalities - have fuelled widespread polarisation. Social instability, economic hardship and political discontent,...

In recent years, overlapping crises - ranging from the lingering effects of the pandemic to the escalating challenges of climate change, rising living costs, and widening inequalities - have fuelled widespread polarisation. Social instability, economic hardship and political discontent,...

In this discussion paper, we explore the concept of "societal innovativeness" as a key driver of transformative regional development, particularly within the context of regions facing structural weaknesses. Our explorative study delves into the multifaceted nature of societal innovativeness,...

Papua New Guinea (PNG), a nation of now almost nine million people, continues to evolve and adapt. While there is no shortage of recent data and research on PNG, the two most recent social science volumes on the country were both written more than a decade ago. Since then, much has changed and...

Artificial intelligence currently represents one of the most talked about topics, considering the need for sustainable economic growth at a global level. When it comes to education, artificial intelligence is aimed at enhancing systems, ways of learning, as well as at the results of learning, on...

The purpose of this study is to create a representative socio-economic profile of entrepreneurs operating in the former Soviet Union (FSU) states as a pillar of the new middle-class stratum. This study explored middle-class entrepreneurship from multiple perspectives, encompassing statistical...

On 6 December 2023, the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs adopted a Joint Communication called 'No place for hate: a Europe united against hatred. This Communication calls for the creation of an open, pan-European space for dialogue which brings together...

On 6 December 2023, the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs adopted a Joint Communication called 'No place for hate: a Europe united against hatred. This Communication calls for the creation of an open, pan-European space for dialogue which brings together...

On 4-7 March, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) brought together more than 800 participants of all ages and backgrounds from civil society for a vibrant debate on the upcoming 2024 European elections and Europe's future. If there is one unmistakable takeaway from this week, it is...

This report provides an overview of the country visits organised by the EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law (FRRL) group in 2022. It deals with six country visits to Greece, Finland, Slovakia, Portugal, Sweden and Slovenia. The report follows the two previous synthesis reports, which covered...

This report provides an overview of the country visits organised by the EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law (FRRL) group in 2022. It deals with six country visits to Greece, Finland, Slovakia, Portugal, Sweden and Slovenia. The report follows the two previous synthesis reports, which covered...

Since 2006, the EESC's flagship Civil Society Prize shines a light on the often unrecognised contributions from civil society to shaping and upholding a European identity, one based on shared values, and to fostering European integration. Each year, the prize focuses on a different topic linked...

Since 2006, the EESC's flagship Civil Society Prize shines a light on the often unrecognised contributions from civil society to shaping and upholding a European identity, one based on shared values, and to fostering European integration. Each year, the prize focuses on a different topic linked...

At the political level in the European Union (EU), 2024 will clearly constitute a pivotal year due to the elections to the European Parliament and the appointment of a new college of European Commissioners. As a year of change, for both the European legislature and executive, 2024 will also be a...

At the political level in the European Union (EU), 2024 will clearly constitute a pivotal year due to the elections to the European Parliament and the appointment of a new college of European Commissioners. As a year of change, for both the European legislature and executive, 2024 will also be a...

The Youth Test is a tool designed to strengthen youth participation and youth mainstreaming in policy-making. At the EESC, it means that youth representatives can participate in the preparation of the EESC policy recommendations: - Participate in meetings and hearings - Provide written...

This report aims to synthesise civil society's views on national trends in fundamental rights and the rule of law, drawing on the EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law (FRRL) Group's first cycle of country visits. Covering the 27 EU Member States visited by the FRRL Group between 2018 and...

This report aims to synthesise civil society's views on national trends in fundamental rights and the rule of law, drawing on the EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law (FRRL) Group's first cycle of country visits. Covering the 27 EU Member States visited by the FRRL Group between 2018 and...

Since the Maastricht Treaty of 1992, the European Union's economic governance framework has played a key role in promoting economic stability, growth, and employment across Europe. As this framework has evolved over time, it has become increasingly intricate, with some of its instruments failing...

Dem Zusammenhang zwischen wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Modellen und modelliertem Wirtschaftsleben kommt eine Schlüsselbedeutung bei der Bewältigung gesellschaftlicher Krisen zu. Wenn ökonomische Modellwelten mit anderen Welten interagieren, spricht man von »Performativität«. Carsten Damm...

Die Frage nach sozialer Gerechtigkeit bleibt aktuell – auch und gerade in »modernen« europäischen Gesellschaften. Denn der Kapitalismus erzeugt neben Wohlstand für wenige auch viel Armut und Leid, in Deutschland und der ganzen Welt. Diese Ungerechtigkeit ist heute eng verbunden mit der...

The Austrian Science Fund (FWF) is the main funder of basic research projects in Austria, selecting projects purely based on their scientific quality, rather than any impacts outside academia. Nevertheless, usually such impacts arise from basic research over time, even if unintended. This study...

The purpose of this study is to create a representative socio-economic profile of entrepreneurs operating in the former Soviet Union (FSU) states as a pillar of the new middle-class stratum. This study explored middle-class entrepreneurship from multiple perspectives, encompassing statistical...

Artificial intelligence currently represents one of the most talked about topics, considering the need for sustainable economic growth at a global level. When it comes to education, artificial intelligence is aimed at enhancing systems, ways of learning, as well as at the results of learning, on...

After three decades of orienting agriculture towards ecological and social sustainability goals, the Ukraine war catapulted productivity and supply goals back onto the political agenda. Against this background, the present study aimed to establish how farmers and food consumers envision the...