Newsletter Liaison Group

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Liaison Group with European civil society organisations and networks January 2026

1. Editorial

2. News from the CSO Members of the Liaison Group

3. Past events

4. News from the EESC

5. Past events

6. EESC Plenary Session

7. Civil dialogue in the EU and European Citizens' Initiatives

8. Citizens' Engagement Platform

9. Link to our members' newsletters

Editorial

Dear Members and Friends of the Liaison Group,

It is my pleasure to address you all at the start of the International Volunteer Year 2026 (IVY2026). At CEV we always recognise and honour all those volunteers, organisations, and communities, who uphold humanity, solidarity, and peace, often while facing immense hardship and uncertainty. In IVY2026, in partnership with all of you, we look forward to giving this even more special prominence and attention.

We know that in the EU we have many existing challenges, from the climate crisis and demographic change to misinformation, democratic backsliding, and natural hazards. All of this requires even stronger, more coordinated efforts to build community resilience. Volunteers are key actors in these efforts enhancing the ability of communities to respond to crises in informed and collective ways that open pathways for deeper collaboration between public authorities, civil society, and the private for-profit sector.

The increase in polarisation, the breakdown of democratic processes, fundamental rights and the rule of law are being exacerbated by foreign interference. Volunteers play a huge role, and with the right resources and coordinated strategy, could play an even bigger one, in combatting these anti-democratic trends including in the digital and media spheres. The 2026 EESC Civil Society Week is around the corner and will give us the opportunity to explore this issue as well as the potential offered by the European Democracy Shield to address these negative trends. Highlighting the essential role of education in protecting our democracy and the role of civil society and other actors in relation to that will also be an important component, as will addressing EU housing strategies. Volunteering is a central component of the European Social Contract and the social economy, having an immense value beyond task delivery. Volunteers are essential for a thriving democracy giving a change-making example to all. Their needs and concerns need to be at the heart of the EU Civil Society strategy, that is another major theme that will be addressed in Civil Society Week 2026.

IVY2026 aims to mobilise government, civil society and the private for-profit sector to strengthen recognition, safety, and enabling environments for volunteers worldwide. From a European perspective, IVY2026 represents an important opportunity to further develop this vision by embedding democratic and human rights principles that are fundamental to the European understanding of volunteering into global conversations. Reinforcing IVY2026 with this democratic, rights-based dimension is essential to ensure that volunteer engagement contributes meaningfully to human dignity, civic space, and peaceful coexistence and the outcomes from CivSocWeek 2026 will make an important contribution to that.

Gabriella CIVICO
Director of Centre for European Volunteering (CEV)

News from the CSO members of the Liaison Group

Democracy International: The price of trust - a conversation about regions, democracy and the MFF, Brussels, 4 February 2026

On 4 February 2026, the European Parliament, Democracy International, and the Future of Democracy Parliamentary Group will co-host an event at the Parliament’s InfoHub to explore how EU spending can strengthen transparency, accountability and democratic participation at regional and EU levels. Following an interview-style panel debate and audience Q&A session with members from the EU institutions, the event will move into an interactive hour on the theme ‘Three Big Ideas for Democracy’, where breakout discussions will turn the panel’s key proposals into concrete next steps for 2026. This final segment aims to empower participants to identify opportunities for collaboration and drive progress beyond the event. A coffee welcome session will kick off the event at 10:00. Register for this event here.

Image © European Parliament

EASPD: A week-long training on inclusive education, Madrid, 19-24 April 2026

The European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) is pleased to announce that registrations are now open for its training course on inclusive education entitled ‘Building an Inclusive School for All’, set to take place in Madrid, Spain, between 19 and 24 April 2026. The training will deepen education professionals’ understanding of inclusive education and equip them with practical tools to apply in their own situations. Find all the information and register here.

Image © Pexels

Eurochild: Daphne-CHILD podcast series: What we can learn about violence prevention from 48 grassroots organisations across Europe

The Daphne-CHILD three-year EU-funded programme, led by Eurochild and Terre des hommes (Tdh), empowers 48 grassroots organisations across nine European countries to prevent and address violence against children. The Daphne-CHILD Grantee Spotlight podcast series emerged from this partnership. The series documents how these grassroots organisations are preventing violence against children in their communities through locally developed solutions that respond to specific contexts and needs. These podcasts aren’t theoretical discussions about what might work; rather, they’re evidence-based insights from people doing the work daily. Read more about the Daphne-CHILD podcast series here.

Image © Terre des hommes (Tdh)

COFACE Families Europe adopts position paper on families and climate change

This position paper outlines the points of intersection between climate and family policy and provides recommendations to ensure that climate action is inclusive, fair and future-proof. With this paper, COFACE Families Europe calls for an integrated, rights-based and socially-just approach to climate policy that includes social and ethical considerations and puts the family perspective at all levels first.

Image © COFACE

LLLP: A Europe where learning truly lasts a lifetime: the Lifelong Learning Platform’s Renewed Manifesto for Lifelong Learning

Last year, during its 20th anniversary, the Lifelong Learning Platform officially launched its Renewed Manifesto for Lifelong Learning, a review of the past 10 years of EU policies, accompanied by 20 actions and 4 pillars that represent LLLP’s commitment to more inclusive and democratic education systems in Europe and beyond.

ACE: New publication: Quality of Life + Architecture

On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Architects’ Council of Europe, we are pleased to announce the publication of a landmark book entitled Quality of Life + Architecture, which brings together decades of collective experience, knowledge and shared reflections. At the heart of this publication is a clear message: architecture is a public responsibility. It plays a crucial role in strengthening cultural resilience, supporting social cohesion, and enabling the ecological transition.

Image © ACE

Past events

LLLP: Lifelong Learning Week 2025, 8-12 December 2025

The Lifelong Learning Platform hosted the 15th edition of LLLWeek on 8-12 December as part of its 20th anniversary celebration. Each day of the week was hosted by a different MEP and focused on one of LLLP’s renewed priorities: Investment, Inclusion, Innovation, Internationalisation and Intermediaries in education.

News from the EESC

EESC Civil Society Week: 2–5 March 2026 – check out the programme

The programme of #CivSocWeek 2026, under the theme People, Democracy, resilience - Our future!, is now available online. The event will focus on tackling poverty, reducing social exclusion, involving citizens and bridging divides across regions and generations to rebuild trust and foster lasting social cohesion. In this context, advancing diversity, civic engagement, equality and inclusion are key pathways to renewing Europe’s social and democratic promise for future generations. Registration will open in early February 2026. Stay tuned!

Public hearing: A comprehensive strategy for nature-based biodegradable materials, 26 January 2026

This hearing organised by the EESC NAT section will invite different DGs from the European Commission and civil society organisations to gather input to contribute to a comprehensive strategy for nature-based biodegradable materials. In particular, the hearing aims to: discuss nature-based biodegradable materials as a strategic opportunity for EU industrial competitiveness and circular bioeconomy performance; identify gaps in policy frameworks that prevent the development and implementation of these materials; and address market challenges and opportunities in the agri-food, forestry, and fishery/aquaculture sector. This event will be webstreamed freely, interpretation will be provided in English, Spanish and German – don’t miss it!

Public hearing – Union of Equality: LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026-2030, 29 January 2026

The EESC will hold a public hearing to examine the recently adopted LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030. The event will bring diverse stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges in implementing the strategy’s actions, enforcement of anti-discrimination norms, and strategies to ensure that EU policy frameworks meaningfully foster the Union of Equality. Key questions will focus on mainstreaming LGBTIQ+ equality, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, mechanisms for Member State engagement, and strategies for bridging gaps between EU-level and national practices.

Public hearing: A Culture Compass for Europe, 12 February 2026

This public hearing will aim to present and discuss the European Commission’s proposal for a Culture Compass for Europe, a new strategic framework intended to place culture at the heart of EU policymaking. The event will gather key institutional actors, civil society organisations, social partners, and experts to reflect on the Compass’s priorities and to contribute to the preparation of the EESC Opinion SOC/853.

Your Europe, Your Say! 2026, 19-20 March 2026

The 17th edition of Your Europe, Your Say! (YEYS) will take place on 19–20 March 2026, bringing together 16–18-year-old students, their teachers, 18-25-year-old young adults and representatives of youth organisations to discuss “Meaningful Connections, Active Participation and Democratic Engagement.” The opening and closing sessions on 20 March 2026 will be live streamed. The link to watch and more info/updates will become available on the YEYS 2026 page.

Past EESC events

High-level debate on Europe’s future in a time of uncertainty, 12 January 2026

At a time of growing geopolitical, economic and social uncertainty, the EESC’s Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI) organised a high-level debate on how Europe can strengthen its autonomy, resilience and preparedness. The event featured a keynote speech by Nicolas Schmit, former European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights (2019–2024), focusing on Europe’s future competitiveness, preparedness and resilience. Read more about this debate here.

Public debate: Latest twists and turns on the road to the next Multiannual Financial Framework, 7 January 2026

As the European Union is in the process of deciding on the next Multiannual Financial Framework, the EESC organised a public debate to discuss the latest institutional and analytical developments and perspectives that are likely to shape the future EU budget. The event brought together representatives from the European Parliament, the Council Presidency, EU consultative bodies, leading academics, and civil society, to explore the key challenges and priorities for the next MFF, including the introduction of new own resources. Find the video recording of this debate here.

EESC and RCC Joint Conference: No future without us - Youth shaping EU enlargement, 12 December 2025

This conference brought together representatives from the EESC, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), and youth councils and other organisations across the Western Balkans and the European Union to examine the pivotal role of young people in EU accession negotiations. The main topics under discussion were: Youth in Action: Driving EU Accession and Defending Democracy; Bridging Generations: Rebuilding Trust in European Integration.

18th meeting of the EU-Ukraine Civil Society Platform, 11 December 2025

During this meeting, the CSP members exchanged with the EU and Ukrainian authorities on the state of play of the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and on Ukraine's progress on its EU accession path. The Platform also discussed the European approach to the long-term situation of Ukrainians residing in the EU and on the approximation of the Ukrainian legislation with the EU acquis. A joint declaration, prepared by both sides, was discussed and adopted.

EESC marks first EU Water Resilience Forum as a turning point for Europe’s water future, 8 December 2025

The first EU Water Resilience Forum, co-organised by the EESC, the Committee of the Regions, and the European Commission, brought together people working on Europe’s water challenges to share ideas and solutions to protect water for families, communities and future generations. The Forum also launched the Water Resilience Stakeholder Platform to turn these ideas into action.

EESC Plenary Session, 21-22 January 2026

The plenary session in January took place in in-person form.

The following debates took place:

Presentation of the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with Marilena Raouna, Deputy Minister for European Affairs of Cyprus
Debate on artificial intelligence, with Lucilla Sioli, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Office at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT), Max Reddel, Advanced AI Director at the Centre for Future Generations, and Andrea Renda, Director of Research at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), linked to the adoption of opinion INT/1105 on Apply AI Strategy - strenghtening the AI continent
European Citizen’s Initiative My Voice, My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion, with Irena Moozová, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST), Mary Collins, Secretary-General of the European Women’s Lobby (EWL), Abir Al-Sahlani, Member of the European Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (remotely), and Nika Kovac, representative of the European Citizens’ Initiative My Voice, My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion (remotely); linked to the adoption of opinion SOC/848 on My Voice, My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion

Amongst others the following resolutions and opinions were adopted:

Resolution on European Economic and Social Committee’s contribution to the EU’s Priorities at the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW70) (SOC/855)
Multiannual financial framework 2028-2034 (ECO/682)
My Voice, My Choice: for safe and accessible abortion (SOC/848)
Proposal for a regulation on Erasmus+ (SOC/842)
Establishing the European Social Fund as part of the National and Regional Partnership Plan (SOC/845)
Extension of Interim Rules / Online Child Sexual Abuse (INT/1117)
Apply AI Strategy – strengthening the AI continent (INT/1105)
Horizon Europe (INT/1102)
EU Fund for cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security (ECO/683)

The EESC opinions adopted can be consulted here.

Civil dialogue in the EU and European Citizens' Initiatives

ECI Day 2026 – registration opens soon!

The European Economic and Social Committee is hosting the 14th annual European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) Day in Brussels on Tuesday 3 March 2026, as part of Civil Society Week (2-5 March). For more information, check out the #ECIDay and #CivSocWeek webpages and follow us on social media. Seize the opportunity to make your voice heard and co-shape the future of citizen participation in the EU – registration opens at the beginning of February.

New citizens’ initiatives registered by the Commission

On 3 December, the Commission registered the No more double standards on human rights European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), which calls for consistent human rights oversight in its actions with non-EU countries. What’s more, the first initiative of 2026 was registered as early as 5 January, on Ethics, Transparency and Integrity for European Political Parties, which requests the creation of an EU model of ethical governance. Organisers have six months from the registration date to start collecting signatures in support.

Image © Mahmudul-Hassan / Shutterstock

ECIs collecting signatures

With the start of the new year, two recently registered initiatives began collecting signatures, namely Food is a Human Right for All! (7 January) and the initiative calling for the Suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement due to human rights concerns (13 January). They now have one year to get support from at least 1 million Europeans. Consult the Commission’s ECI registry website to see all initiatives collecting signatures.

Image © GoodStudio / Shutterstock

EESC plenary debate and opinion on ECI My Voice, My Choice

On 21 January 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee held a plenary debate with organisers of the valid European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) on My Voice, My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion. The debate was followed by adoption of the EESC’s own-initiative opinion, expressing support for the initiative. The European Commission is due to publish its response by 2 March 2026.

ECI on Ban on conversion practices in the European Union @ EU institutions

The organisers of the Ban on conversion practices in the European Union European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) presented their valid initiative to the Commissioner for Equality, Hadja Lahbib, and Commission officials on 12 December. The next step will be a public hearing to be held by the European Parliament in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the European Economic and Social Committee is working on an own-initiative opinion on the subject.

Citizens' Engagement Platform

European Commission: "Have Your Say"

As part of its "Better Regulation" agenda, the Commission is consulting a broad range of organisations, and the general public, with such outreach tools as "Have Your Say". In actively collecting and analysing online feedback, the Commission ensures that EU initiatives are responsive and proportional to current challenges – such as the consultations on: