Social Platform: Flagship Conference on Building Social Europe, 4-5 May 2021
The Social Platform invites you to our Flagship Conference on Building Social Europe, which will take place virtually on 4 and 5 May 2021. Our Flagship Conference is the annual forum of the Social Platform's members, their national members and other civil society organisations advocating for social justice and participatory democracy, and of EU and national decision-makers, social partners, academics and other stakeholders working towards a socially just and inclusive Europe for all. The Conference is being organised in collaboration with the Portuguese Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security in conjunction with the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union – ahead of the EU Social Summit taking place on 7 May in Porto (Portugal). Our Conference is an official side event of the Portuguese Presidency. Full Conference programme and registration here.

EDRi: New developments in the Reclaim Your Face campaign
As part of the Reclaim Your Face campaign, EDRi has published an overview of biometric mass surveillance experiments and deployments across EU countries. Existing evidence shows practices are spread throughout Germany, Austria, Czechia, Italy, Greece, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Slovenia and Poland. Moreover, following EU president Ursula von der Leyen's acknowledgment of the need to "go further" regarding AI technologies that pose a risk to fundamental rights, the group sent a letter to the EU Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders. In this letter, 51 digital rights, human rights and social justice organisations called on the Justice Commissioner to ban biometric mass surveillance in the EU's upcoming AI legislation. You can find out more by reading this overview of the evidence and the letter to the EU Justice Commissioner.

CEV: WISH Platform
The WISH Platform (Welcome, Integration & Support Hub for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Europe) was developed by CEV with the support of European Solidarity Corps volunteers, and funded by the Europe for Citizens programme. It is an online platform mapping the volunteering initiatives that offer support and assistance to refugees and asylum seekers across Europe. The aim of the platform is to facilitate communication between these initiatives and the people seeking support. The map includes more than 100 organisations in 23 countries and is still growing. Submit your initiative here.

AGE: Older people keep a watchful eye on COVID-19 vaccination strategies
As vaccination slowly progresses around Europe, older people's organisations are swinging into action to provide up-to-date information about vaccination policies and make decision-makers aware of the pitfalls of some strategies: priority groups need to be clearly identified and helped to access vaccination, alternatives to digital booking must be available, vaccination premises must be available and accessible by transport, and public authorities should be alert to the risk of scams. Read more here.

EUROCHILD: New Campaign: CAN WE BELIEVE IN YOU?
At least 18 million children in Europe are facing poverty and social exclusion. With the launch of the European Child Guarantee and the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, children can be hopeful again. Can we believe in you? is the question children are asking in a new campaign by Eurochild. The #CanWeBelieveInYou campaign aims to build a strong case for prioritising investment in children to ensure that this new impetus at EU level has a real impact for children in Europe.

UEF: FEDERALIST APPEAL – Our federal Europe: sovereign and democratic
The Union of European Federalists (UEF) and the Spinelli Group released a joint statement after EU presidents signed the CoFoE agreement. We are eagerly awaiting the start of the Conference on the future of Europe to debate and decide how to go about adapting our institutions in a way that will complete the building of our federal Europe. We firmly believe that our future lies in a Democratic and Sovereign Europe. And the time to build it is now. Let us not waste this opportunity.

UEF: DEMOCRACY IS EUROPE – Call for papers
As part of the Democracy is Europe project, the Union of European Federalists (UEF) and all its partners are launching an essay contest on The idea of Europe behind transition: 1989-1991. The contest will give students aged 18 to 25 the chance to express their ideas about the peaceful revolutions/transitions which took place in eastern Europe between 1989 and 1991, exploring the European ideals and principles of that period and how they are reflected in those countries' politics today.

Social Platform: A missed opportunity? Social Platform's initial reaction to the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan
Social Platform welcomes the fact that the Action Plan contains many positive initiatives in a variety of policy fields, but we feel that it does not achieve its potential to be the comprehensive implementation plan for an effective European Pillar of Social Rights that we advocated and hoped for. We strongly regret that the Action Plan does not give equal importance and weight to all the 20 principles of the Social Pillar and does not provide specific and ambitious actions for each of its 20 principles. Additionally, the Action Plan overall does not sufficiently focus on measures targeting groups in vulnerable situations. Read more here.

LLLP Annual Theme 2021: The changing nature of evaluation in education and its impact on learners' well-being
In 2021, LLLP will focus its policy, research and advocacy efforts on assessing the changing nature of evaluation and assessment in education settings, as well as their renewed impact on learners' and educators' well-being. What is changing in assessment, evaluation, and testing methodologies? What does well-being mean in education and training and how is it impacted? Stay tuned and find out more about our exciting activities!

European Civic Academy: Rebuilding trust in democracy
On 24 March 2021, over 100 participants from civil society and academia gathered for the first session of the European Civic Academy 2021, to discuss the topic of "rebuilding trust in democracy: for the people, with the people". In a context characterised by growing distrust in democracy, divisions and inequalities in society, the Academy sought to build bridges between civil society and academic agendas and to discuss challenges and opportunities for collaborations related to the role of civil society organisations in enhancing civic and democratic spaces in Europe. Read the key takeaways here.

Hearing on Pay transparency - the next step to end the gender pay gap, 5 May
The Commission proposed in March 2021 new pay transparency measures, such as pay information for job seekers, a right to know the pay levels for workers doing the same work, as well as gender pay gap reporting obligations for big companies. The proposal aims to strengthen the tools for workers to claim their rights and facilitate access to justice. Employers will not be allowed to ask job seekers for their pay history and they will have to provide pay related anonymised data upon employee request. Employees will also have the right to compensation for discrimination in pay. Read more here.

Europe Day 2021, 9 May 2021
Europe Day on 9 May commemorates the date of the Schuman Declaration, which was the starting point for today’s European Union. It is a chance to reflect on what solidarity has built and what we hope to achieve in the future. It is also a chance to make EU citizens feel even more strongly that they are part of something bigger, as expressed in the Europe Day interinstitutional theme of "togetherness". The EESC traditionally celebrates Europe Day by opening its doors to the public. This year, due to the COVID-19 crisis, citizens from across Europe and the world are invited to discover the House of Civil Society in a safe and virtual way. Be part of Europe Day! Stay tuned here!

Public hearing on the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, 10 May 2021
The European Commission (EC) has pledged to make the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) the compass of Europe’s recovery and the EU's best tool to ensure Europe’s future is socially just and no one is left behind. While the EPSR is about better delivering on rights for citizens by building on 20 social principles, the Action Plan proposes three headline targets to be reached by 2030 and sets out some concrete initiatives to turn the EPSR into reality. Read more here.

Save the date: ECI DAY online, 3-4 June 2021
The European Economic and Social Committee is organising, in cooperation with institutional and civil society partners, the 10th edition of the European Citizens' Initiative Day on 3 and 4 June (online event). 3 June will be a full day of debates on the ECI instrument, focusing on aspects key to making the ECI more powerful and strengthening participatory democracy at EU level. The programme will also include workshops geared to the organisers of initiatives, and will cover matters such as online campaigning and fundraising. On 4 June, the organisers of ongoing initiatives will be given the floor to present their initiatives. For more information on the programme, speakers and workshops, please check the regularly updated event webpage. Registration will open at the beginning of May.

Launch of the EESC Civil Society Prize: Climate Action!
The twelfth edition of the EESC Civil Society Prize has been launched. The specific theme of the 2021 edition is Climate Action. The prize, which has a total value of EUR 50 000 and can be shared among up to five winners, will reward effective, innovative and creative initiatives carried out by civil society organisations and/or individuals on the territory of the EU which aim to promote a just transition towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy. The deadline for entries is 30 June 2021. Detailed information about the prize, as well as the contest rules and the on-line application form, are available on the EESC website. Spread the word!

COME & VISIT US … VIRTUALLY! The EESC launches EESC Online Talks as an alternative to on-site visits
Every year, the EESC welcomes thousands of visitors from all over Europe and the rest of the world, presenting the Committee's activities and the functioning of the European Union to a very diverse audience. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak however, the EESC is temporarily closed to external visitors. The EESC is therefore delighted to present its EESC Online Talks to you as an alternative to traditional visits. During these virtual meetings, visitors will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the functioning and role of the EESC in the EU decision-making process. If you would like to book an EESC Online Talk, please send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

EESC Porto Social Summit online event – a new impetus to Europe's social commitment, 28 April 2021
Ahead of the Porto Social Summit in May, the EESC held a high level online conference discussing the importance of a social Europe as well as key elements of the European Pillar of Social Rights and actions at EU and national level. Read more.

Civil Society Convention on the Conference on the Future of Europe
The "Civil Society Convention on the Conference on the Future of Europe'' was launched on 4 February 2021 and gathers over 75 European networks and platforms. At its inaugural plenary on 4 March, the Convention elected its co-chairs, most of which are also members of the EESC Liaison Group. This allows for an added value in building synergies between the different structures contributing to the Conference on the Future of Europe and making use of all possible channels to ensure that the voice of civil society organisations is heard. Read more here.

European Commission revamps its "Have Your Say" portal
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 consultation on Entering the EU - online visa application process and digital visa, the consultation on European political parties and foundations – review of rules on legal status and funding as well as the consultation on Sustainable products initiative. See all currently open consultations here.