EESC Civil Society Week – People, Democracy – Our Future!

People, Democracy, Resilience – Our Future!

2–5 March 2026 | Brussels, Belgium
Organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

Why this week matters

Europe is facing a pivotal moment. Social and economic inequalities, rapid technological change, anti-democratic forces, and geopolitical instability are straining the foundations of the European project.

With democracy and civic space under mounting pressure, civil society organisations, human rights defenders and free media face growing constraints – from restrictive laws and disinformation campaigns to underfunding and public distrust. Deepening polarisation and eroding trust in institutions further undermine Europe’s democratic model.

Civil Society Week 2026 will bring together a wide range of voices, from grassroot activists and youth representatives to EU policymakers, journalists, and organised civil society across Europe including candidate countries.

The event will focus on advancing diversity, civic engagement, equality, and inclusion as key pathways to renewing Europe’s social and democratic promise for future generations. This means tackling poverty, reducing social exclusion, involving citizens, and bridging divides across regions and generations to rebuild trust and foster lasting social cohesion.

The 2026 edition will revolve around two pillars:

• the EESC’s overarching priority for the new mandate, delivering on:
  • a Union of opportunities
  • a Union of security
  • a Union of resilience
• three of the European Commission’s key priorities:
  • Supporting people and strengthening our societies
  • Protecting our democracy, upholding our values and
  • Delivering together and preparing our Union for the future

Each day will be dedicated to one of the above-mentioned priorities and will feature high-level debates, participatory sessions, and interactive workshops.

Website https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/agenda/our-events/events/civil-society-week-2026

Thursday March 5th 14:10 – 15:10 | Panel discussion with ELEN speakers: Intergenerational fairness, gender and minoritised language communities.