EESC Liaison Group & Civil Society Relations

Democracy today is also fought on an information battlefield. Our response begins at home and in schools. Strong foundations in media literacy and critical thinking, along with inclusive, integrated and user-friendly digital tools, are at the heart of democratic resilience.

During today's panel on the Civil Society Strategy and Platform with representants from @fra.europa.eu, @eesc.bsky.social, DG Just, @eucivilsociety.bsky.social, CSOs raised necessary questions about ownership, transparency and real impact.

Continue watching us live here: link.europa.eu/T9CJg7

This morning at #CivSocWeek participants and organizers worked together to address and close existing gaps in the European Democracy Shield, focusing on the Centre for democratic resilience, citizen engagement, and countering foreign information manipulation and disinformation.

Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič was present in 2012 when the ECI was established as a tool for participatory democracy, and he is here today to highlight its importance.

"We feel that we need to do more to protect our democracy," and the ECI is part of the solution moving forward.

What happens after an ECI reaches 1 million signatures?
How can we make the follow-up truly impactful?

These topics were explored and discussed today at #CivSocWeek

Lear more about ECI here
👉 citizens-initiative.europa.eu/_en

During our From Connection to Action workshop led by @democracyintl.bsky.social , participants reflected on how to build an ECI campaign, identifying potential challenges and potential solutions

Gathered around the tables, everyone had the chance to exchange ideas and learn from one another

Day 2 of #CivSocWeek is #ECIDay!

European Citizens' Initiatives are tools of participatory democracy at the EU level. The more support these initiatives get, the more MEPs are bound to respond and take action.

Support the initiatives that matter to you here
👉 citizens-initiative.europa.eu/_en

In hard times like the ones we are living, civic participation is more important than ever — it acts as a “sentinel”, a true guardian of democracy. 🇪🇺

That’s why we must strengthen the legal follow-up of successful #ECI initiatives

🔴 Watch live here: link.europa.eu/T9CJg7

Wrapping up day one of #CivSocWeek 2026

Stay tuned and see you soon for Day 2!

🔴 If you can't make it today, join our webstreaming: link.europa.eu/T9CJg7

Europe faces a structural housing crisis, with 10 million homes missing and prices rising faster than incomes.

Proposed solutions from our great speakers include boosting supply, scaling up social housing, mobilizing EU funds, and ensuring stable, fair-paying jobs.

#CivSocWeek

Through a World Café format at #CivSocWeek, we moved table to table, question to question, exploring three main topics: No One Left Behind, Trust-Legitimacy-Democracy, and Intergenerational Fairness.

Listening. Rotating. Building solutions together.

👉 link.europa.eu/T9CJg7

Insightful and interactive session on the value of education in building resilient societies, as democracy begins in schools and with youth voices.

Grateful for our speakers, sparking an engaging and lively conversation 👏

📺 Webstreaming: link.europa.eu/T9CJg7

"Facing our own fear is a prerequisite for forging freedom together"

At #CivSocWeek, former Irish Minister Katherine Zappone reminded us that the transformative power of civil society begins within each of us.

📺 Webstreaming: link.europa.eu/T9CJg7

"Who speaks for those who are not in the room, who are never in the room, who don’t even know that the room exists?

You do. Civil society does."

@eesc-president.bsky.social

Follow us here: link.europa.eu/T9CJg7

The welcome of #CivSocWeek could not ignore the tragic events of the past days.
@eesc-president.bsky.social Seamus Boland, expressed his deepest concern at the start of yet another war and the loss of lives.

With diplomacy failing, his message was simple and clear: "please talk".

Proud to gather #CivilSociety voices from throughout #Europe for #CivSocWeek.

Join us live here: link.europa.eu/T9CJg7

🚀 #CivSocWeek 2026 kicks off!

Uniting #CivilSociety to shape the future we want: one built on resilience, strengthened by democracy, and centred on people 🤝✨

📍 @eesc.bsky.social & Online | 2-5 March

🔴 Watch live: link.europa.eu/T9CJg7

📌 @eesc.bsky.social | 5 March | #CivSocWeek

Whose resilience are we really protecting?

This session explores intergenerational fairness, gender equality and minoritised language communities as core pillars of democratic resilience.

See you there!

📌 @eesc.bsky.social | 5 March | #CivSocWeek

Can volunteering strengthen Europe’s resilience?

This session explores how volunteers and the social economy drive solidarity, preparedness, and democratic participation across communities.

Register 👉 eesc.europa.eu/CivSocWeek2026

📌 @eesc.bsky.social | 5 March | #CivSocWeek

Who funds democracy when civic space is under pressure?

This session explores how EU institutions, philanthropy and civil society can strengthen funding, advocacy and partnerships to keep democratic space alive.

Register👉 eesc.europa.eu/CivSocWeek2026

📌 @eesc.bsky.social | 4 March | #CivSocWeek

What does it take to rebuild trust in polarised societies?

This session explores how an enabling environment for civil society can strengthen democratic resilience, participation and social cohesion.

Register 👉 eesc.europa.eu/CivSocWeek2026

📌
@eesc.bsky.social | 4 March | #CivSocWeek

Can democracy survive without trusted information?

This session explores how media, digital skills and civil society can strengthen democratic resilience in the age of disinformation and AI.

Last chance to register 👉 eesc.europa.eu/CivSocWeek2026

📌 @eesc.bsky.social | 4 March | #CivSocWeek

Can the EU Civil Society Strategy truly strengthen civic space?

This workshop explores how the upcoming Civil Society Platform can embed trust, transparency and meaningful participation in EU policymaking.

Register 👉 eesc.europa.eu/CivSocWeek2026

📌 @eesc.bsky.social | 4 March | #CivSocWeek

How do we turn the European Democracy Shield into real democratic resilience?

This interactive workshop explores citizen participation, information integrity and societal resilience to shape Europe’s democratic future.

👉 eesc.europa.eu/CivSocWeek2026

📌 @eesc.bsky.social | 3 March | #ECIDay

Can citizen participation strengthen Europe’s resilience?

This interactive workshop explores how ECIs build trust, inclusion and democratic engagement.

Register now 👉 link.europa.eu/G8rNgj

📌 @eesc.bsky.social | 3 March | #ECIDay

What happens after 1 million signatures?

This workshop looks at how ECIs turn citizen demands into real political change.

Register now 👉 link.europa.eu/G8rNgj

📌 @eesc.bsky.social | 3 March | #ECIDay

Thinking of launching an ECI?

This interactive World Café connects organisers to share strategies, lessons and winning ideas for future initiatives.

Explore the programme and register now 👉 link.europa.eu/G8rNgj

#EESCforECI

📌 @eesc.bsky.social | 3 March | #ECIDay

Can citizens shape EU agenda?

The ECI Day high-level session explores how the European Citizens’ Initiative is turning participation into political momentum.

Register now 👉 link.europa.eu/G8rNgj

#EESCPartnership @eesc.bsky.social 🤝#WISERProject

How can social entrepreneurship support migrant women’s inclusion?

Today’s WISER Final Conference highlighted training, mentoring and cooperation models strengthening labour participation and resilience across Europe.

👉 link.europa.eu/kNRcwt

📌 @eesc.bsky.social | 2 March | #CivSocWeek

When the system stops delivering, who pays the price?

This session explores housing pressures, inequality and Europe’s social contract, with EESC Group III presenting interim results of its anti-poverty study.

Register 👉 eesc.europa.eu/CivSocWeek2026