THE PRICE OF SHIFTING PRIORITIES: A BAD START FOR THE NEXT EU BUDGET

The proposed EU budget for 2028–2034 may be the largest in the Union’s history, but will it deliver where it truly matters?

This brief examines what is changing, who stands to lose out and how Europe can realign its budget to prioritise investment in people and the planet.

The European Commission’s proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) prioritises competitiveness, defence and border control. Under the guise of ‘simplification’, funds for social objectives such as social inclusion and education are being absorbed into broader envelopes, thereby undermining accountability and transparency. At the same time, instruments dedicated to environmental action and a just transition are being discontinued. To fulfil the objectives of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Green Deal, the next MFF must include binding social and environmental commitments, ensure fair and transparent governance, and empower civil society and communities to help determine Europe’s future.