Home > EU Policy & Social Affairs > European Parliament Stresses the Importance of Economic and Social Cohesion in the EU Post-2027 Budget

European Parliament Stresses the Importance of Economic and Social Cohesion in the EU Post-2027 Budget

On 7 May, the European Parliament (EP) adopted its position regarding the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the long-term budget of the European Union determining its investments in different policies for 7 years after the current period, 2021-2027.

Under current ongoing speculations of EU budget being cut for social purposes, European non profit organisations welcome that the EP’s position on the post-2027 MFF underlined the importance of funding being allocated to social policy, including the points below:

  • In the light of the US’s retreat from its role as a global guarantor of peace and security, there is a clear need to progress towards a genuine Defence Union, with the next MFF supporting a comprehensive security approach through an increase in investment. However, the EP stresses that defence spending cannot come at the expense of nor lead to a reduction in long-term investment in the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the Union.
  • It underlines that through programmes such as the European Social Fund+ and Erasmus+, the Union budget can play an important role in supporting education and training systems, enhancing social inclusion, boosting workforce adaptability through reskilling and upskilling, and thus preparing people for employment in a modern economy.
  • It also recalls the importance of the social dimension of the European Union and of promoting the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. It therefore emphasises that the Union budget should play a pivotal role in reducing inequality, poverty and social exclusion, including by supporting children, families and vulnerable groups.

These points are key ahead of the upcoming publication by the European Commission of the first and second packages of the EU post-2027 MFF, expected on 16 July and 3 September respectively.

EPR together with its partners of Social Service Europe will issue a statement calling on the European Commission to guarantee enough funding for social policy in the EU. 

More information on the Multiannual Financial Framework available here.

EP position on the MFF post-2027 available here.