The EU budget at large: overview of recent meetings and decisions 

Negotiations on the European Union's next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 have entered a decisive phase. Following the publication of the European Commission's proposal last year, both the Council of the EU and the European Parliament are now shaping their respective negotiating positions ahead of the interinstitutional negotiations expected later this year. 

Against this backdrop, the EOC EU Office continues to actively engage with the European institutions to ensure that sport is appropriately reflected across the future EU budget. In particular, advocacy efforts remain focused on securing a strong and visible place for sport within the future Erasmus+ programme, the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs) and their implementing regulations, as well as within the European Competitiveness Fund and the AgoraEU programme. 

On the Council side, the Cyprus Presidency secured a partial general approach on three key legislative proposals underpinning the future MFF - the National and Regional Partnership Plans, the European Competitiveness Fund and Global Europe -allowing interinstitutional negotiations to begin once the European Parliament adopts its positions. 

Ministers also held a first exchange on the Presidency's “Negotiating Box”, which proposes a 2% reduction across all budget headings compared with the Commission's proposal as a basis for compromise. While Member States remained divided over the scale of possible cuts, Heads of State and Government provided further political guidance at the European Council on 18-19 June, reaffirming the objective of reaching an overall agreement by the end of the year. The incoming Irish Presidency will play a pivotal role in steering negotiations and seeking consensus on the future EU budget. 

Erasmus+ 

Within the European Parliament, work on the future Erasmus+ programme continues to advance. On 23 June, the European Parliament's Committee on Budgets (BUDG) adopted its budgetary assessment of the future Erasmus+ programme, which will serve as an opinion for the lead Committee on Culture and Education (CULT). The report reiterates Parliament's call to increase the Erasmus+ budget from €40.8 billion to €47.4 billion (current prices) and recommends maintaining dedicated budget lines for education and training, youth and volunteering, and sport, thereby preserving the programme's current structure and ensuring greater transparency and predictability. The Committee also advocates stronger synergies with other EU programmes, improved budgetary oversight and maintaining at least 75% of programme implementation through National Agencies. 

Technical discussions between the rapporteur and shadow rapporteurs on the Erasmus+ proposal have now largely concluded. The CULT Committee is expected to present its consolidated report for adoption after the summer, with a Committee vote anticipated in September and a plenary vote expected in November. These milestones will be instrumental in shaping Parliament's final negotiating mandate on the programme. The EOC EU Office will pay attention to the level of funding earmarked for sport that the European Parliament seeks to secure during the negotiations. 

Beyond Erasmus+ 

Discussions have also advanced on the future of EU cohesion policy. On 15 July, the European Parliament's Committee on Regional Development (REGI) debated its draft report on the future European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Cohesion Fund and Interreg. These funding programmes are relevant mostly for infrastructure financing. The debate focused on balancing competitiveness, climate action, digital infrastructure, security and territorial cohesion, while preserving the role of local and regional authorities. Notably, the debate also illustrated how sport can contribute to broader EU policy objectives, with references to investments in dual-use infrastructure, such as sports facilities that can serve as emergency shelters during crises. 

This is aligned with the proposed Regulation on the National and Regional Partnership Plans, the overarching framework for the future cohesion policy. Several amendments tabled by Members of the European Parliament, following outreach by the EOC EU Office, recognise the contribution of sport infrastructure to sustainable regional development and acknowledge sport as a driver of social inclusion, community resilience and sustainable local development. How these proposals will be reflected in the compromise amendments prepared by the rapporteurs remains to be seen.  

In parallel, work progresses on the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and AgoraEU, two programmes of relevance for the sport sector. While the draft report of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) on ESF+ did not contain references to sport, several amendments tabled by Members of the European Parliament seek to recognise the contribution of equal access to sport and local sports infrastructure to fostering social inclusion and equal opportunities.  

In the AgoraEU proposal, it is particularly encouraging that the proposed amendments acknowledge the important social and civic role of community-based and grassroots sport organisations. By bringing together people across communities, generations and backgrounds, these organisations foster social inclusion, participation, volunteering and active citizenship, thereby strengthening social cohesion.  

The final outcome of both files will depend on the negotiations between the political groups and the compromise texts ultimately adopted by the European Parliament. 

What is next? 

With negotiations now accelerating on the different funding instruments, the coming months will be decisive in shaping the future investment landscape for European sport.  

As the European Parliament finalises its negotiating positions and the Council prepares for interinstitutional negotiations, the EOC EU Office continues to engage closely with the European institutions and key stakeholders to advocate for adequate funding opportunities that recognise sport's contribution to education, health, social inclusion, regional development and Europe's long-term competitiveness.  

All stakeholders involved in the sport sector are invited to join our call for sport in the next EU budget: sport is not an investment, it is a tool!