{
  "id": 14930534,
  "title": "The new multiannual financial framework (MFF): A future vision for the EU",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/the-new-multiannual-financial-framework-mff-a-future-vision-for-the-eu",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T10:32:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euronews",
    "slug": "euronews",
    "url": "https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/16/the-new-multiannual-financial-framework-mff-a-future-vision-for-the-eu"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Negotiations are underway for the European Union's new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) from 2028 to 2034. The Commission's proposal, made a year ago, aimed to chart a new course, aligning with reports on boosting the EU's competitiveness and future viability through more efficient use of funds. The proposed structure is generally welcomed for its potential to offer future prospects and flexibility in crisis response. However, it also brings major cuts, particularly affecting social projects, cohesion, and agricultural support programmes funded solely by the EU, such as the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). These funds are to be grouped in the first pillar, with their detailed allocation to be decided by member states under National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP). The Commission has proposed a 14% quota for the social field, a point of contention given that many social projects in Germany are financed exclusively by the EU. Germany is calling for a minimum 20% quota for social projects, a demand that could be enshrined in a federal-state ordinance if not agreed upon at European level. The biggest innovation lies in the second pillar, the Competitiveness Fund, which aims to support innovation and investment in the single market. Despite lagging behind globally in future industries and artificial intelligence, targeted funding is seen as crucial to reduce this deficit and strengthen European resilience and economic transformation. The third pillar focuses on Europe's responsibility in the world, emphasizing common foreign and security policy and European development cooperation. The new MFF offers the chance to set the course through innovation guidelines and sanctions mechanisms against non-compliant countries. The best-known EU programs, Horizon and Erasmus, will be placed in the second pillar, with opportunities to enhance their economic links and promote global cooperation. Despite tensions surrounding Germany's budget, paying less would restrict Germany's options, as funding from Brussels returns many times over. If no new MFF is agreed upon by 2028, funding will simply come to an end, and budget cuts, while necessary, should be applied horizontally to avoid disproportionately affecting specific areas like agricultural subsidies under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).",
  "summary": "The EU's new multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034 should channel funds more efficiently to bolster the bloc's competitiveness and future resilience, argues Markus Töns, the SPD parliamentary group's spokesperson on European affairs, in an opinion piece for Euronews.",
  "key_points": [
    "New Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposed for 2028-2034",
    "Social projects face major cuts, ESF+ and ERDF under first pillar",
    "Competitiveness Fund targets innovation and investment in second pillar"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}