EESC Corner: EESC testing participatory processes in the implementation of Europe 2020

The promotion of the 2020 Strategy as an integral part of all EU policies is one of the main priorities of the Cyprus presidency. “Towards a better Europe” will be the headline priority of the presidency with special emphasis on solidarity and social cohesion as well as effectiveness and growth.

There is no other European institution more relevant to restore trust of the civil society in Europe and to test the participatory processes in implementing the guiding strategy Europe 2020 than the European Economic and Social Committee. In this connection, the presidency has asked the EESC for an exploratory opinion highlighting the targets for employment, poverty and social exclusion and addressing the gaps in the involvement of the social partners and civil society in the implementation and follow up to the Europe 2020 Strategy, as well as promoting their participation in the formulation, implementation and follow up to policies related to employment, poverty and social exclusion at national level. In its opinion adopted in July this year, the EESC calls on the European institutions and national governments to make a renewed political commitment to engage with all relevant partners under the Europe 2020 Strategy. The EESC undertakes to build on work with the national Economic and Social Councils and similar bodies and national representatives of organised civil society by becoming the European contact point and to provide a dedicated platform for them. In the long term, the EESC believes that the European Union should develop a long-term vision of the ultimate goal of stakeholder engagement and work to gradually develop this.

In the short term, the EESC believes that a number of small changes would have a significant impact on progress. In particular, as a matter of urgency, Member States and the European Commission should reconsider the timing and type of processes in order to allow for genuine engagement by all stakeholders.

Vladimíra Drbalová
Vice-Chairperson of the Section for social affairs and citizenship EESC Member