Mental Health Europe, together with the European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) and over 50 European networks, has issued a joint statement expressing serious concerns over the European Commission’s proposal for the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034. The statement, titled “100 billion Euros for social spending? The devil’s in the details,” warns that while the proposal introduces technical improvements such as harmonised regulations, simplified monitoring, and increased flexibility, certain elements may undermine the EU’s social objectives.
A central aspect of the proposal is the creation of National and Regional Partnership (NRP) Plans, which would consolidate funding from multiple EU sources—including the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), migration and integration funds, and the Common Agricultural Policy—under single national frameworks. These Plans are also tied to EU Facility and Interreg funds for crisis response and transnational cooperation. While intended to streamline funding, the coalition argues that these Plans risk reducing regional participation, civil society involvement, and overall accountability.
The assessment conducted by Mental Health Europe, EASPD, and other partners highlights key concerns. The dedicated ESF+ budget line would be eliminated and replaced by a 14% “social spending” target spread across multiple funds, weakening guarantees for social investment. Minimum earmarks for social inclusion, child poverty, and material deprivation would be removed, potentially leaving excluded and disadvantaged groups without consistent funding. Additionally, the proposal eliminates enabling conditions, which previously ensured that Member States implemented effective strategies before spending EU funds, raising the risk that investments may be less accountable and less effective.
The coalition calls for stronger safeguards, dedicated social funding, and the empowerment of local actors to ensure that the EU’s social ambitions result in tangible benefits for communities and vulnerable populations. They emphasize that without these measures, the proposed framework could represent a step backward for social inclusion and the achievement of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
