The European Economic and Social Committee’s (EESC) traditional Civil Society Week 2026 initiative takes place under the slogan People, Democracy, Sustainability – Our Future. From 2 to 5 March, the forum brings together representatives of the European institutions, organised civil society, youth organisations, media and experts from Member States and candidate countries at a crucial time for Europe – against a backdrop of deepening social and economic inequalities, accelerated technological change and increased pressure on democratic processes.
The Economic and Social Council of the Republic of Bulgaria took part with its own information stand and active participation in the programme. The members of the ESC and the EESC Ina Agafonova and Bogomil Nikolov and the representatives of the ESC secretariat Atanaska Nikolova and Daniela Dimitrova presented the topics on which the Council has worked over the last year in the adopted resolutions, opinions and analyses.
Presentation of the Bulgarian model of social dialogue
The participation of the ESC in the forum provided an opportunity to present the Bulgarian experience in social dialogue in a wider European context and to exchange good practices with partners from other countries. During the event, the ESC focused on its role as an institutional platform for dialogue between employers’ organisations, trade unions and the civil sector. In 2025, the consultative body is working on topics such as reducing social inequalities and poverty, sustainable economic development and competitiveness, energy poverty and how it can be tackled, labour market challenges, strengthening civic participation and trust in institutions, among others.
“The polarisation of society and the fact that the divisions between different attitudes are becoming deeper is something that is happening throughout the EU, including Bulgaria. Social media have a serious role to play in this. We need more platforms for social dialogue, more conversation, more connected regions, more bold and informal communication, more transparency from the institutions”, said the delegates from the ESC during their participation in the discussion “What holds us together? The power of social cohesion”.
The partnership between the ESC and the EESC and the European dimension
The ESC and the EESC maintain a consistent and active partnership within the framework of the common mission to promote organised civil society and to strengthen the democratic model of participation in Europe.
11 members of the ESC are also members of the EESC. This ensures a direct link between national priorities and the European debate, as well as a real participation of Bulgarian representatives in the process of drafting opinions and policies at EU level.
Europe at a crucial moment
The 2026 edition of the Civil Society Week was structured around the priorities of building a Union of Opportunities, a Union of Security and a Union of Sustainability, in line with the European Commission’s key orientations of supporting people, protecting democracy and preparing the Union for the future. During the four days, debates and interactive sessions were held on civic education, social cohesion, media and digital sustainability, civic sector financing and equity.
“Civil Society Week is not a symbolic event but a practical example of why EU institutions, social partners and civil society organisations need to work together. Organised civil society is not a luxury but an essential element of the democratic infrastructure. Without it, democracy not only struggles – it stops functioning properly,” said Seamus Boland, President of the EESC.
Representatives of the Economic and Social Councils of Bulgaria, Latvia and Spain with EESC President Seamus Boland.
