The European Centre of Enterprises with Public Participation and of Enterprises of General Economic Interest is:

• The European association representing
  
  • Enterprises and employers’ organisations with public participation and
  • Enterprises carrying out activities of general economic interest, whatever their legal ownership or status

• One of the three Social Partners recognised by the EU Commission, i.e. it represents the public employers in the European Social Dialogue; while the others, BusinessEurope and ETUC, represent respectively private employers and the trade unions.

CEEP, and its General Secretariat in Brussels, represents the interests of its members before the European institutions. It has excellent contacts with the departments of the EU Commission and other European institutions, such as the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee. Its status as a European Social Partner gives it access to contacts at the highest levels, including the members and President of the EU Commission. CEEP is consulted regularly by the Directorate-Generals of the European Commission on draft Regulations, Directives and other legislation of interest to its members, and is frequently asked to produce opinions.

CEEP sends representatives and observers to a large number of committees and consultative bodies of the European institutions, and through its involvement is kept up to date with developments at European level which are of interest to its members. As a result, it is well informed at all times on the activities and plans of the European institutions, and is in a position to issue opinions and take other steps to ensure that the interests of its members are considered at an early stage.

CEEP work closely with other European industry associations. Although many of our members belong to these sector-specific umbrella organisations, CEEP provides them with an additional powerful lobbying instrument in Brussels by virtue of its role as a Social Partner and the European association representing all enterprises providing services of general interest.

CEEP moreover organises congresses, conferences and seminars on subjects of current interest for its members and on topics related to the development of the EU as a whole. Many of these events are organised in conjunction with the European Commission as well as with other social partners. CEEP also carries out research projects on behalf of the Commission along with its support.

OUR MISSION

CEEP as cross-sectoral social partner speaking at the European level for individual enterprises, associations of enterprises and employers working in public services sector.

• Strengthening Services of General Economic Interest

CEEP believes that modern public services serve fundamental goals of the EU, its Member States and its regions: stronger social and territorial cohesion, economic and social solidarity and a better quality of life of its citizens. SGI/ SGEI have a key role in the integration of the EU States into a common economic area and in the enlargement of the EU. CEEP works to recognise their particularities, with regard to competition rules, within the internal market concept.

• Giving input in the European Social Dialogue

As social partner, CEEP believes that employer consultations as well as social dialogue are fundamental to promote Lisbon targets: innovation and growth. In order to help members meet the Lisbon targets, CEEP focuses mainly on crucial aspects of the European Employment Strategy (EES) for instance promoting the adaptability to change and to address regional disparities. Another main concern is to build a stronger development of partnerships at regional and local level.

• Making sustainable Development real

CEEP reinforces sustainable development in all decisions implementing EU policies such as transport, energy, water supply, waste disposal and telecommunications.