register here

Please note that this meeting is for EASPD members only

Will the new EU budget deliver for people with disabilities? What opportunities does it hold for social service providers? How can we shape the agenda together?

The European Commission's proposal for the next EU budget (2028-2034) is on the table, and it's time for us to make sense of it together. Join us at a members-onlyPolicy Café on 16 December 2025, 14:00-16:00 to unpack what it means for our work and coordinate our advocacy response.

Where we stand: Navigating new territory

The Commission's proposal marks a fundamental shift: it replaces the dedicated European Social Fund+ (ESF+) with a 14% social spending target within the new National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs) single national funds merging what were previously separate funding streams covering cohesion, agriculture, fisheries, migration and more. This new structure raises important questions about guaranteed funding, safeguards for social inclusion, and the role of civil society in shaping investments. EASPD has been actively engaged in advocacy on the proposal, coordinating joint statements and coalitions to raise our concerns. Now we need your input to formulate our concrete demands for the negotiations ahead.

What we'll explore together

This Policy Café is your space to dive into the details and share your perspective.

We'll focus on:

• National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs): understanding how these integrated plans will work and what they mean for accessing funding
• The ESF+ transformation from stand-alone fund to integrated approach: what may change for social service providers
• Competitiveness Compass: finding entry points for disability and social services within the new strategic framework
• Monitoring framework: ensuring accountability and tracking progress on social targets
• Timeline for advocacy: the proposal enters 18-24 months of negotiations with Parliament and Council, with final adoption expected by late 2027. Early engagement now is crucial to influence the outcome

This is your opportunity to:

• Share your questions, concerns, and ideas
• Understand what the proposal means for your day-to-day work
• Help identify EASPD's advocacy priorities
• Build our collective response together

The negotiations ahead will determine whether this budget strengthens or weakens social investment in Europe. Let's make sure we're ready to make our case effectively!

Agenda