We are only halfway through the EU’s current long-term budget covering 2021-2027, but the European institutions are already starting to prepare for the next Multiannual Financial Framework post-2027.  

In the coming months and years, the European Commission, European Parliament and European Council will negotiate how much budget will be allocated to the different funds and programmes, what the priorities will be, and what rules will apply.  

EASPD, alongside 13 organisations representing social services, has developed a paper with 5 key recommendations for EU policy- and decision-makers to ensure future funds are fit to implement the EU’s Social Agenda. The paper also emphasises the crucial role of social services as implementing partners. 

The recommendations call on the EU to: 

1. Ensure an adequate and dedicated Social Fund to fully implement the European Pillar of Social Rights, with an earmarking of at least 25% for social inclusion;

2. Ensure take-up by local service providers, by earmarking at least 25% of the future Social Fund for open calls targeting not-for-profit organisations, and increasing the EU’s pre- and co-financing rates for these organisations;

3. Build the capacity of social services to access the future funds; 

4. Ensure simplification reaches those who implement projects; 

5. Make sure EU funds drive social and human-rights based change and are anchored in the needs of individuals and communities. 

Together with our 13 partners, we will actively engage with policy makers to have an impact on the first proposals presented by the European Commission by mid-2025. After this, EASPD will closely follow the negotiations and work together with key partners to advocate for a budget which prioritises social inclusion and recognises social services as key partners to achieve social objectives.