2024 Budget Review of the European Economic and Social Committee

Budget Review Overview

The European Parliament reviewed the European Economic and Social Committee's (EESC) 2024 budget and spending. This review, known as a "discharge," is a standard check to ensure that EU institutions use their money correctly.

Overall, the Parliament found that the Committee followed the rules and spent the money properly.

Key Financial Findings

• Budget Size: The EESC's 2024 budget was €164.9 million, representing a 3.9% increase from 2023.
• Spending Compliance: The Committee showed a very high level of compliance, spending 99% of the money that was actually paid and 98.7% of the money that was approved.
• Budget Allocation: The Committee reallocated about €2.5 million (1.5% of the budget) to cover rising costs for staff and buildings.
• EU Share: The Committee's share of the total EU budget was 1.5% in 2024, up from 1.3% in 2023.

Operational and Internal Findings

Spending and Auditing

• The Court of Auditors examined 70 administrative transactions, finding 16 errors, but the overall error rate was below the level considered a major risk.
• The Committee's internal audit found 14 recommendations in 2024, most of which are still open.
• A notable decline was observed in internal control effectiveness, which dropped from 78% in 2023 to 66% in 2024.

Staffing and Human Resources

• The Committee employed 713 staff in 2024 (up from 707).
• Staff turnover decreased to 5.6% (down from 7% in 2023).
• The workforce remained diverse, with 62.7% of staff and 52% of management positions held by women.

Digitalization and Security

• The IT budget increased by 7.9% to €13.7 million.
• Cybersecurity spending was €760k, which is still significantly below the 10% target set by EU law.
• The Committee is developing a multi-year digital strategy (2024–2026) that includes AI pilots and cloud migration.
• A major cybersecurity upgrade requires €1.18 million, which the Committee has not yet secured.

Sustainability and Operations

• The Committee upgraded all six elevators in its main building to ensure full accessibility.
• Energy consumption saw reductions: 19% less electricity, 13% less gas, and 12% less water.
• Waste decreased by 12%, while paper use increased by 1%.

Collaboration and Outreach

• The Committee saved approximately €16 million in 2024 by sharing services (like IT and translation) with the European Committee of the Regions.
• The communication budget was €2.5 million.
• The Committee's social media following grew by 18% in 2024.

Areas for Improvement

The Parliament highlighted several areas where the Committee needs to strengthen its performance:

• Internal Control: Improve risk awareness, communication, and modernize document management.
• Cybersecurity: Increase spending on cybersecurity to meet the 10% target and secure the missing €1.18 million for a major upgrade.
• Performance Measurement: Add clear, measurable indicators to show how the Committee's opinions influence EU policy.
• Staff Support: Collect data on burnout and provide tools to measure work-related stress.
• Skills Training: Expand digital skills training, particularly regarding AI and cybersecurity.

Broader Context

The discharge procedure is Parliament's yearly check on how EU institutions like the EESC implement the EU budget. It ensures money is spent legally, efficiently, and effectively, based on Court of Auditors' reports and internal audits. The EESC is an advisory body with 329 members from workers, employers, and civil society across EU countries; it gives opinions on EU laws to promote consensus and participatory democracy. 2eu

Impact on People Living in the EU

This discharge grants the EESC a clean bill for its €164.9 million 2024 budget, confirming proper spending on advisory work that shapes EU policies on jobs, environment, and social issues. EU citizens benefit indirectly as EESC opinions help make laws reflect real economic and social needs, like better worker rights or green initiatives, fostering stronger democracy. Events like Civil Society Week engage thousands, amplifying public voices in EU decisions. europarl.europa