Unlocking the EU MFF 2028–2034

The draft MFF is out

- a close to € 2 trillion strategic EU investment agenda for 2028-2034

Two years (minimum) of negotiations to fine tune it – deciding not only the investment areas but also how the funds can be accessed and by whom.

Who gets a say?

Technically, the EU institutions and national and regional governments. In practice, all stakeholders can position and represent their interests – and those who engage early and effectively can maximise their access to future funding and gain a competitive advantage.

Let's dive deeper

MFF Watch series: explore by thematic focus area

On 16 July 2025, the European Commission formally presented its proposal for an almost € 2 trillion Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034, marking a pivotal moment as the EU sets the stage for its new 7-year strategic investment agenda.

At a time of unprecedented geopolitical, economic and technological shifts, the proposed framework seeks to modernise how Europe invests in its competitiveness, security, and resilience.

As EU institutions and Member States start the MFF negotiations, the future EU funding architecture will emerge as well, bringing significant implications for all funding recipients.

What's changing

The European Commission proposes a significant reconfiguration of the EU’s financial toolkit, moving away from fragmentation toward a more focused and flexible budget structure.

Major structural reform: 52 existing instruments consolidated into 16 streamlined strategic funds and frameworks
Performance-driven approach

Results-based budgeting: Funds linked to outcomes and reforms
Stricter conditionality: Rule of law violations may trigger funding blocks
Simplified access: Easier application and implementation mechanisms

Own resources reform: new revenue mechanisms

Streamlined programme structure

52 existing instruments will be consolidated into 16 overarching funds and frameworks:

National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP)
– € 865 billion

Each country will have a single strategic programming document combining funding for investments and reforms in key areas:

Cohesion and rural development – € 453 billion, including € 50 billion from the Social Climate Fund
Food security and fisheries: CAP and fisheries direct support – € 295.7 billion
Social policy and internal security: EU Facility – € 63.2 billion

European Union actions in areas such as social infrastructure and social economy, promoting inter-regional or inter-city cooperation, responding to natural and man-made disasters etc.

Migration and border management – € 34.2 billion

European Competitiveness Fund – € 450.5 billion

The new European Competitiveness Fund will support economic and technological sovereignty in four strategic sectors:

Defence, security and space - € 130.7 billion
Clean transition and industrial decarbonisation - € 67.4 billion, including € 41.2 billion from the Innovation Fund
Digital leadership – € 54.8 billion
Health, biotech, agriculture, bioeconomy – € 22.6 billion

+ Horizon Europe - € 175 billion

Horizon Europe will remain a standalone programme under the European Competitiveness Fund, structured around four pillars:

Excellent Science
Competitiveness and Society
Innovation
European Research Area

Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) – € 81.4 billion

CEF will finance the completion of Trans-European Networks and invest in green and clean transition in energy and transport, including military mobility:

CEF Transport – € 51.5 billion
CEF Energy – € 29.9 billion

Erasmus+ – € 40.8 billion

Quality lifelong learning
Enhancing skills
Fostering societal participation
Solidarity
Social inclusion

Union Civil Protection Mechanism+ – € 10.7 billion

Civil protection
Health emergency
Preparedness and response

Single Market Programme – € 6.2 billion

AgoraEU – € 8.6 billion

AgoraEU is new programme, merging Creative Europe and the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV).

Global Europe Instrument – € 200.3 billion

Sub-Saharan Africa – € 59.7 billion
Enlargement, Eastern Neighbourhood, and rest of Europe – € 42.6 billion
Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf – € 42.5 billion
Asia and the Pacific – € 16.7 billion
Americas and the Caribbean – € 9 billion

Ukraine – € 100 billion

Performance-driven approach

A strong emphasis is placed on results-based budgeting, conditionality and simplified access to EU funding, encouraging greater efficiency and impact at both EU and national levels.

Payments can be blocked in case of rule of law breaches.

Own resources reform

New revenue mechanisms, such as large company taxation, green levies and carbon adjustments are under discussion to sustain investment without burdening national budgets.

What happens next

Already received with criticism by the European Parliament and some Member States, the European Commission’s formal proposal marks the start of a negotiation process spanning at least two years.

Taking place in Brussels and in the Member States, the process involves the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament and national governments, and will shape the structure and size of the budget, along with the details of accompanying programmes and conditionalities.

Key dates

2025-2027: MFF negotiation period
End of 2027: target date for MFF adoption
January 2028: roll out of new programmes

Why does it all matter – and why act now?

As the MFF negotiations unfold in 2025, 2026 and 2027, all interested stakeholders will start positioning their interest.

Early engagement with the MFF shaping process can maximise access to future, downstream EU funding and give a competitive advantage:

Increasing your funding visibility: strategic foresight into which sectors and markets will benefit from the EU's backing
Ensuring your alignment with emerging instruments
Helping you influence access conditions that favour your mission

MFF Watch 2028-2034

Understand the key developments and how to position yourself for success:

Healthcare

Aerial display by fighter jets: eight small jets fly in tight formation leaving coloured jet trails behind them, in a clear sky with a few small clouds. A feeling of energy, dynamism, optimism, agility, coordination, team work, and strength.

Security and Defence

Abstract representation of digitalisation, data and technology, featuring intersecting lines of varying widths and solidity, some running together in parallel, others following independent paths. A sense of logical pathways, technology and energy, dynamic flow of data through electronic and intangible systems.

Digital transformation

Close-up photograph of healthy green leaves on a branch

Green Transition

Adults with happy engaged expressions having a discussion sitting around a desk with laptops and papers in a library setting

Skills

How we can help

With unparalleled access through our Brussels headquarters and local offices across the EU, and over three decades of navigating MFF negotiations, we help clients secure their place in the next generation of EU programmes.

We shape forward‑looking EU funding trajectories, from strategic positioning around the new MFF to identifying the right instruments for impact and growth as programmes advance into implementation.

Let’s take this 2028-2034 strategic turn together and shape your funding landscape of tomorrow.