On 15 April, the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets (BUDG) adopted its draft interim report on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034. This document, set to be adopted by the European Parliament during its plenary session of 27-30 April 2026, will serve as its position in the upcoming interinstitutional negotiations. MEPs call for a 10% budget increase over the Commission’s proposal, and stress that flexibility must not come at the expense of accountability, predictability, transparency and policy coherence. The report champions Erasmus+ as a flagship programme central to EU objectives, proposing an envelope of €47.39 billion in current prices, compared to the Commission’s €40.83 billion.

On the same day, the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) held a structured dialogue with Commission Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, where the next EU budget took centre stage. Vice-President Mînzatu reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to an accessible, inclusive Erasmus+ with no cuts to youth and sport priorities. MEPs pushed for a stronger budget, with many calling for €50 billion for Erasmus+ and Lara Magoni (ECR, Italy) advocating for a greater role for sport. Despite calls for clearer earmarking, Vice-President Mînzatu maintained that flexibility must be preserved alongside adequate safeguards.

On 16 April, the CULT Committee turned to the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034. MEPs highlighted sport’s vital role at the local and community level, calling for it to be adequately reflected in the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP).