The project "Promoting Social Dialogue in the European Energy Sector" (PEESD) has been initiated as a comprehensive, international endeavor in response to the growing difficulties facing Europe's energy system. Designed to run for 24 months, PEESD brings together trade unions, employer organizations, and research partners from across Europe with a shared mission: to reinforce social dialogue and create a stronger, more inclusive energy sector.
Credit: European Union
PEESD is led by FNSM (Bulgaria) and involves a diverse consortium of partners:
- Poland: Malopolski Związek Pracodawców Lewiatan (MZPL), Rada OPZZ Województwa Dolnośląskiego (RADA OPZZ)
- North Macedonia: SSERI – Samostoen Sindikat na rabotnici od energetika, rudarstvo i industrija na R. Makedonija
- Spain: CEA – Confederación de Empresarios de Andalucía
- Montenegro: MEF – Unija poslodavaca Crne Gore Udruženje
- Portugal: FIEQUIMETAL – Federação Intersindical das Indústrias Metalúrgicas, Químicas, Energéticas.
- Associate partners: IndustriAll European Trade Union (Belgium), CCOO Industria (Spain)
This structure ensures that perspectives from both EU and non-EU countries are reflected, supporting mutual learning and cross-sector cooperation.
The first fundamental component of the PEESD project is a comprehensive analysis of the situation of social dialogue in the energy sectors of participating nations. The objective is to produce evidence-based proposals that will enable social partners to negotiate in a fast-changing energy sector and engage in European Social Dialogue frameworks more successfully. The initiative believes that social discourse can only be effective if stakeholders possess the information, skills, and institutional support needed to engage. For this reason, PEESD places significant emphasis on: Training seminars for trade unions and employer representatives; Workshops on European labor legislation; Skills development related to negotiation, collective bargaining, and policy advocacy; Support in addressing sector-specific challenges such as decarbonization, digitalization, and workforce restructuring; By strengthening competencies, PEESD empowers social partners to influence decisions at both national and European levels.
As Europe continues its shift toward climate neutrality, the energy sector must not only adapt technologically but also socially. The idea that collaboration between employees, employers, and legislators is the cornerstone of such adaptation is embodied in the PEESD project. By analyzing the state of social dialogue across countries, increasing negotiating capacities, and boosting collective understanding of its benefits, PEESD aspires to establish an energy sector that is resilient, fair, and socially responsible. The initiative is essential to Europe's ability to manage its energy transition while protecting workers, boosting competitiveness, and maintaining social cohesion in an era of swift change and worldwide uncertainty.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only, and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.