Democratising economic policymaking – Yes, we can!

Summary document: Democratising economic policymaking: Main messages

The EU Horizon project REAL DEAL looks at citizen and stakeholder deliberation for the European Green Deal. One task focuses on the European Semester and economic policy. The REAL DEAL team is experimenting with formats and approaches for citizen and stakeholder deliberation during the different phases of the European Semester cycle, with a focus on the relation of these groups. The first event was held in Denmark in November/December 2023: three online webinars for the preparation and a two-day, in-person event. Both representatives of CSOs and interested citizens deliberated about the European Semester and developed recommendations.  Lessons learned are taken on board for the planning of two events in Italy on the Semester, and similar deliberative events on economic policies in Germany in the coming months.

The preliminary results and plans of these experiments will be presented and discussed in the workshop session. This will be done against the backdrop of previous findings on the participation of organised civil society in the wider sense, in both the Semester and the RRF process. Participants will also discuss the EESC’s opinion (04/2023) on reforming participation in the European Semester, including how our practical proposals may fulfil its recommendations.

Draft Agenda

Moderator: Ingeborg Niestroy, SDG Watch Europe / RIFS - Research Institute for Sustainability

11:15 – 11:30: Welcome and introduction:

REAL DEAL project: Citizen deliberation for the European Grean Deal and the European Semester task:  
Ingeborg Niestroy, Project coordinator REAL DEAL

11:30 – 12:15: Panel discussion on the participation of civil society and stakeholders in the European Semester and economic policymaking:

Lucianajulia Pace, European Commission, Secretariat-General, RRF Task Force – European Semester, Investment and Finance (Recover.C.1)

Reform of stakeholder participation in the European Semester: EESC opinion (April 2023): Luca Jahier, President of the EESC European Semester Group

Real Deal Case Denmark: Mathias Zachau, Nyt Europa

Real Deal Case Italy: Andrea Bonicatti, Alleanza Italiana per po Sviluppo (ASviS) Sostenibile

Real Deal Case Germany on ‘Growth and Sustainability’: Judith Hermann, Forum Environment and Development 

12:15 – 12:40: Discussion with the public

12:40 - 12:45: Closure

Related events: EESC Civil Society Week 2024

News item on the EESC Civil Society Week: European civil society sets agenda for next EU leaders (07/03/2024)