CESI publishes priorites for next EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034

The priorities, which were determined in the context of a consultation by the European Commission, include:

1. Prioritising investment in military security and resilient and modern public services. The next MFF must focus on: 

reinforcing military defence and civil protection. Military security is a necessary precondition for economic prosperity and social wellbeing. Russia’s war in Ukraine coupled with unpredictable future military support in Europe by the USA mean that the Europe must invest more than in the past in its own security.

support for performing and resilient public services and administrations. This concerns in all frontline public services that are needed in times of crises. Investments in well-resourced and resilient public services seem costly in the short term, but they pay off in the medium- and long-term because the next crisis comes for sure – it is just not clear when exactly, where, and which form and scope. Necessary investments in infrastructure, facilities, equipment as well as the level of staff and its working conditions must be benchmarked against crisis situations.

support for available, affordable and high quality public heath care services, early childhood education and care, secondary education and professional training as well as public employment and integration services. Investments in the health and employability of the population, especially the young generation, are sure pay off in terms of economic growth in the future. Failing to invest will yield the opposite.

2. Strengthening the social dimension of the MFF. The next MFF must put social fairness and decent work at its core, to complement strives for enhanced competitiveness. This means coupling EU funding rigorously to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR), ensuring decent working conditions, fair wages, gender equality and strong collective bargaining structures. Without this, the EU risks turning its investment agenda into a purely economic exercise that bypasses workers and fails to address social and employment-related inequalities.

3. Driving the green and digital transitions with social safeguards. The next MFF should:

link environmental and digital investments to job creation and decent work standards – including collective agreements – as well as local economic revitalisation, particularly in regions facing industrial decline.

expand funding for green and digital training up- and re-skilling programmes for workers.

4. Building inclusive stakeholder engagement. The next MFF must structurally integrate trade unions, including independent trade unions, into the monitoring and evaluation of the next MFF, to ensure that a necessary social approach is maintained throughout its execution phase in 2034.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: "In a time marked by numerous crises and challenges – from climate change,thedigitaltransition and demographic shifts to regional conflicts and global geopolitical tensions – we believe that the next MFF must be both an investment tool for military security, climate neutrality and economic prosperity in the EU as well as a social compact that strengthens and fosters fairness and empowers workers and public services across Europe – the backbone of resilient societies and competitive business environments."

CESI's full priorities for the next MFF are available here.

‍