One shared travel area. 🇪🇺 No passport checks. 🇪🇺 The #Schengen Area makes travelling, working and living across borders simpler every day. Learn more about one of the EU's most tangible achievements: link.europa.eu/qnHtmv

Putting the #NewEuropeanBauhaus into practice can help tackle the #housing crisis. This is why we shared a set of recommendations to help turn it into practice and make a real impact in the lives of Europeans. Read more: link.europa.eu/VkY68c Images: © New European Bauhaus 2026

A secure, affordable & sustainable energy system is essential for the EU. We work on it by: 🔸 addressing the social impacts of the energy transition; 🔸 promoting #AffordableEnergy for consumers; 🔸 bringing citizens, experts & stakeholders into the policymaking process. More: link.europa.eu/v4YhNw

More than 20% of the EU population lives at risk of poverty or social exclusion. We are placing #EUCivilSociety at the heart of EU's fight against poverty through the new European Anti-Poverty Strategy, emphasising investment in people & the economy & more. 👉 link.europa.eu/p3NV97 #SocialRights

We are currently preparing our opinion on the #CloudAndAI Development Act for our September #EESCPlenary session linked to AI gigafactories, among others. Stay tuned for civil society's recommendations: link.europa.eu/xg4TCY #DigitalEU

Cloud and AI Development Act

EESC opinion on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s cloud and AI ecosystem (Cloud and AI Develop...

link.europa.eu

Ursula von der Leyen@vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu · 6d ago

AI is the most important technology of our time. Europe wants to become the first AI Continent. For advanced healthcare, for the transport sector and so much more. European AI Gigafactories will provide the necessary computing power to make this possible.

For an increasing number of people across Europe, the fundamental right of housing has become unaffordable. Therefore, we call for: 🏠 a rural development strategy; 🏠 increased funding; 🏠 faster digitalised procedures; 🏠 supporting innovation. Read more: link.europa.eu/FGnkcG #AffordableHousing

Our banknotes are getting a new look and you can choose your favourite one! 💶 Designers from all over Europe have reimagined how they may look like and one of their proposals is to become the next design of the euro. What's your favourite? Vote here: link.europa.eu/MFWX7c

5 years ago, the European Climate Law entered into force, making climate neutrality by 2050 legally binding for the EU. We believe this ambition requires: 🏭 accelerating decarbonisation while strengthening competitiveness; 🤝 working closely with #EUCivilSociety, & more. ⬇️ link.europa.eu/Nxr9wW

Real restoration happens when environmental targets go together with economic support. We support the #NatureRestoration Law and we call for: 🍃 putting European ecosystems on the path to recovery; 🌍 protecting the interests of producers; 👨‍🌾 securing a fairer food supply chain. link.europa.eu/3VmnXV

🌊 Registrations are now open! Join our event on 🇪🇺 civil society contributions to #UNWaterConference and take part in the discussions on how to shape global #water governance 🗓️15/9/26 🕘9:15 📍EESC 👉 Register to attend in person by 4 September: link.europa.eu/fHdGVr

Ready for a swim? 🌊 85% of EU's bathing waters achieved excellent quality in 2025. Through our #EUBlueDeal, we call for: 💧 water resilience across all EU policies; 💧 investment in sustainable water infrastructure; 💧 water as a strategic resource. Our work: link.europa.eu/mHhynN

Applications are open for our 16th #CivilSocietyPrize! Are you leading an innovative initiative to combat poverty in the EU? You could win a share of the €30,000 prize fund. 🗓️ Apply by 6 November 2026, 10:00 CET: link.europa.eu/tMr9Tn

Europe's industry must invest, innovate & grow. We welcome the @ec.europa.eu’s Industrial Accelerator Act and call for: 🏭faster permitting backed by energy, infrastructure & skills; 🏭'Made in Europe' based on reciprocity; 🏭European preference for steel, aluminium & concrete.

We need a migration policy rooted in European values. We welcome the efforts to reform EU's asylum system and stress that it must remain firmly rooted in human dignity and respect for fundamental rights. We call for a humane and effective #EUMigration system. More: link.europa.eu/WR7XBx

Enlargement is a peace project. 🇪🇺 At our #EESCPlenary, together with @martakos.ec.europa.eu & representatives from candidate countries, we reaffirmed that #EUEnlargement must actively involve civil society. Because no reform lasts if the people it affects are left out. ℹ️ link.europa.eu/VXfdjm

It is possible to be organic. 🌱 Meet the finalists for the #EUOrganic Awards for the Best Restaurant/ Food Service: 🇦🇹 Chef Partie’s Premiummarke; 🇦🇹 Köglerhof; 🇦🇹 Zotter Schokolade GmbH. Austria is championing this! Discover more about them: link.europa.eu/W4x8Cd

Over the next months, we will be working with the Irish Presidency of the Council to reflect the expectations of Europe's civil society. 🇮🇪🤝🇪🇺 We are working on: 🔹 Digital Fairness Act; 🔹 simplification for SMEs; 🔹 affordable housing; 🔹 and more. Read more: link.europa.eu/RnTFhP

Another productive day at #HLPF2026! Yesterday, the @eesc.bsky.social delegation joined discussions with NGOs, civil society and the @europarl.europa.eu, co-hosted an #SDG7 side event with Ireland, and exchanged views with the Irish delegation, @ituc.bsky.social & USCIB.

Join our debate on #EUEnlargement with Commissioner @martakos.ec.europa.eu and high-level representatives from the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of North Macedonia, and the Republic of Lithuania to discuss the future of EU enlargement. 👉 link.europa.eu/Vcqtrx #EESCPlenary

Day 1 of #HLPF2026 is complete! Yesterday, the @eesc.bsky.social delegation attended the Ministerial Opening, met with @unep.org and UN Women, & took part in the side event Transforming the World after 2030. More updates from New York soon.

Day 2 of #HLPF2026 is complete! Yesterday, the @eesc.bsky.social delegation engaged with Team Europe, contributed to 2 @fao.org events on food systems and a UN Women event on gender equality, met with the UN Development Coordination Office & Joint SDG Fund, C4UN & the Spanish delegation.

Our #EESCPlenary is ON! 🔴 On the agenda: 💬 opinions on #StrategicAutonomy, migration, #GenderEquality; 💼 quality jobs & fair labour mobility, with @roxanaminzatu.bsky.social; 🇮🇪 the priorities of the Irish Presidency of the @consilium.europa.eu. Tune in to not miss it!👉 link.europa.eu/Gcc9vV

It is possible to be organic. Meet the finalists for #EUOrganic Awards/Best Organic Food Retailer: 🇩🇪 Boßhammersch Hof GmbH & Co. KG; 🇧🇪 OHNE; 🇭🇺 Relio Digital Marketplaces/ÖkoPiactér. They show that organic food is about building a more sustainable future for everyone. More: link.europa.eu/W4x8Cd

Our July #EESCPlenary session starts tomorrow! 🇪🇺 On the agenda: 🎯 Action Plan on Counter Drone Security; ⚓ EU Ports Strategy; ⚡ stable energy. Catch the highlights as we work on recommendations for the EU’s future. More information: link.europa.eu/QYBN34 #EUCivilSociety

We are in New York to represent the voice of civil society at the UN central platform for reviewing progress of #SDG. We advocate for: ✅ stronger governance & accountability; ✅ sustainable competitiveness; ✅ smarter investment in partnerships. ℹ️ hlpf.un.org/2026/programme @nat-eesc.bsky.social

It is possible to be organic. Meet the finalists for the #EUOrganic Awards - Best Organic Food Processing SMEs: 🇧🇬 Bio Bulgaria; 🇪🇸 Cantero de Letur; 🇦🇹 Genusskoarl. Three inspiring stories showing that organic means sustainability and stronger communities. Discover them: link.europa.eu/W4x8Cd

Building EU's future through enlargement & trade. We believe that #EUEnlargement & an open, resilient trade policy are essential to building a stronger, more competitive & united EU. We continue to ensure that businesses, workers & civil society have a voice in shaping it. 🔗 link.europa.eu/PtkvXF

Our next #EESCPlenary is just around the corner! ✨ On 15-16 July, our members and guests will discuss: 📄 opinions on gender equality, housing & energy storage; 🗣️ EU enlargement with @martakos.ec.europa.eu; 💼 strengthening protection for workers. More: link.europa.eu/QYBN34 #EUCivilSociety

Day 2 of #ConnectingEU in Sofia is underway! 🔴 Today we explore how #AI is reshaping communication, tackling disinformation, and building stronger visibility and engagement through practical skills. Tune in live: link.europa.eu/xjFmqD #EUvsDisinfo

On my way to #Sofia to the @eesc.bsky.social‘s annual communication event for civil society communicators. Will give a talk on Tuesday morning on AI, disinformation, technological developments and how all this impacts journalism, media and society. #ConnectingEU www.eesc.europa.eu/en/agenda/ou...

In defence of European values: The power of civil society

The EESC annual communication event for civil society communicators, the Connecting EU Seminar, will this year delve into Europe’s ability to uphold its core values as its economic priorities shift an...

eesc.europa.eu