On 5 July 2010 civil society organisations and networks members of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Liaison Group, including the EFC, met to discuss the future of the group which was created in 2004. A reflection is considered necessary given the changes that have taken place since the creation of Group both regarding the context in which it operates and the development and functioning of the Group itself.

The Liaison Group gathers EESC members and European civil society organisations and networks. The reason behind its creation was to ensure that the EESC had a coordinated approach towards civil society organisations and networks and to monitor joint initiatives. The Group has been instrumental in the establishment of a regular and structured dialogue between these organisations and networks and the EESC on issues of common interest, whilst also facilitating dialogue between civil society organisations themselves. For more information, see http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.liaison-group

Main developments since the creation of the Group are as follows: 

• The Treaty of Lisbon introduces a new article on participatory democracy (article 11), which requires EU institutions to conduct "an open, transparent and regular dialogue with representative associations and civil society" to ensure that organised civil society, which embodies the aspirations and interests of the citizens of Europe, is actively involved in the formulation of European policies and processes. 
•  The Group has evolved in the last years in terms of composition –it currently comprises representatives from the main sectors- and functioning.

Key issues discussed were as follows:

• Composition and working methods of the Liaison Group and the possibility for other civil society organisations to join the Liaison Group. The Liaison Group currently comprises 19 members of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), including the EESC President, the three group presidents and the six section presidents and representatives of the main sectors of organised civil society at European level based on existing organisations and networks within these sectors.
• Objective of the Liaison Group and common priorities of Liaison Group members
• The role of the Group as a platform for transversal civil dialogue with EU institutions, including in relation to initiatives such as the annual ‘civil society day’ and the ‘European Civic Days’.  
• The relation between the EESC and the Liaison Group. Despite progress made in the last years by regularly informing members of the Liaison Group on the work in progress at the EESC, cooperation with the Liaison Group should be strengthened in order to better take into account the input and expertise of Liaison Group members in the various domains of the European policy agenda. Some ideas mentioned were calling more often on experts from the Liaison Group in the preparation of EESC opinions, consulting more regularly the members of the Group in the framework of thematic working groups, and adopting a common annual work plan, in line with the political agenda and the common priorities of the EESC and of Liaison Group members.

Participants also discussed the relations that the Liaison Group should have, if any, with other EU institutions.

A detailed proposal regarding the future of the Liaison Group will be prepared building upon discussions at the meeting for review and input from members. Once ready it will be shared with relevant EESC representatives for discussion and agreement. 

EFC members interested in obtaining further information or in contributing to the reflection process on the future of the EESC Liaison Group are invited to contact EFC’s secretariat at eu@efc.be