The European Union’s next multiannual financial framework, covering the period 2028-2034, will influence European priorities and funding for seven years. The Commission is proposing nearly €2 trillion and an overhaul of existing programs. The French Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) is preparing a resolution to present the position of French civil society before discussions among Member States.
A common framework for seven annual budgets
The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is not the European Union’s annual budget. It sets spending ceilings for major categories over a seven-year period, thus defining the resources available for European policies. The budgets adopted each year then determine the expenditures planned within these limits.
The 2028-2034 MFF will succeed the 2021-2027 MFF, a period marked by the health crisis, the launch of NextGenerationEU, and the war in Ukraine. The decisions to come will establish the funding framework for EU policies until the end of 2034.
The European Commission proposes the MFF. The European Council, which brings together the heads of state and government, sets its main political guidelines. The regulation is then adopted unanimously by the Council of the European Union, after approval by the European Parliament. These institutions have distinct roles in the procedure.
An overhaul of programs and funding
The Commission’s proposal involves nearly €2 trillion over seven years. It plans to reduce the number of European programs from 52 to 16 and to consolidate several funding streams into national and regional partnership plans. The stated objective is to simplify the budget’s organization and increase flexibility in the use of funds.
This reorganization also raises the question of the role of common policies and regions in funding decisions. The EESC had already raised these issues in an opinion published in October 2025 on European aid. It warned of the risk that plans established at the Member State level would weaken cohesion policy, which aims to reduce disparities between regions, and questioned the role of regions in managing funds.
The revenues of the future budget will also be part of the discussions. The Commission is proposing new own resources, while several Member States are facing budgetary constraints. The Union will also have to repay the debt incurred to finance NextGenerationEU.
What are the priorities for the next CFP?
The decisions must take into account existing policies as well as the needs related to the climate and environmental transition, economic and industrial sovereignty, and the geopolitical context. The defense of human rights and democratic principles, as well as the prospect of further enlargement of the Union, are also among the issues considered by the EESC.
The outermost regions, including several French overseas territories, are receiving particular attention due to the significant amount of European funding allocated to them. The Overseas Territories Delegation of the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) is to prepare a specific document addressing their situation.
The work schedule
The Bureau of the EESC has entrusted the examination of the resolution to its Economic and Finance Committee. The text is to be considered in plenary session on 18 November 2026. The European Council, which will provide guidance on the MFF, is scheduled for 17 and 18 December 2026. The EESC intends to make the position of French organized civil society known before this deadline.
The new multiannual financial framework is due to come into effect on 1 January 2028.
Source: News from the EESC (www.lecese.fr)
Original article: See the original source
Author: CESE
