The 2028-2034 EU budget proposal for a stronger Europe
On 16 July, the long-anticipated proposal on the next EU long-term budget - Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) post-2027 was presented by the European Commission. The new EU budget 2028-2034 "for a stronger Europe" would reach almost EUR 2 trillion (or 1.26% of the EU's gross national income on average between 2028 and 2034).
As expected, the MFF would be broadly redesigned in its structure, with the proposal outlining e.g. the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security (the Fund) facilitated via National and Regional Partnership (NRP) Plans, Interreg Plan and EU Facility; the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF); and Horizon Europe, which importantly remains in the proposal as a separate programme.
While we will analyse the proposals in depth in the coming weeks, we are pleased to share some initial reflections on the new Horizon Europe proposal, following the work done by ERRIN around Framework Programme 10 (FP10) over the last years.
- The overall structure remains largely in line with the current Horizon Europe – a welcome sign of stability. The proposed almost doubling of the budget for 2028-2034 to EUR 175 billion is also positive, but pending the decisions in upcoming negotiations.
Pillar II: Competitiveness & Society
Pillar II for collaborative research and innovation will remain, but under a different name and will be closely linked to the Competitiveness Fund in its "Competitiveness" part. Its second part, labelled "Society", will include global societal challenges, EU Missions and NEB Facility, meaning that the Missions will be supported at least until 2030. There are also promising steps toward improving European Partnerships, such as reducing fragmentation, lowering administrative burdens and refining governance. ERRIN welcomes stronger inclusivity through an enhanced role for regional, local and smaller actors, ensuring that they can engage meaningfully in future partnership models.
- Pillar III with innovation ecosystems
Innovation ecosystems are still featured separately from the European Innovation Council (EIC). Some innovation support will be available outside of the EIC through innovation ecosystem activities. ERRIN welcomes noting the need for support measures to strengthen and better connect innovation ecosystems. A stronger emphasis on connecting R&I ecosystems across Europe is very important, building on the experience of the Regional Innovation Valleys. Pillar IV supporting a unified European Research Area
Pillar IV will support a unified European Research Area (ERA) through three funding schemes: ERA policy, research & tech infrastructures and Widening participation. This clearer distinction reflects ERRIN’s previous calls for separating ERA and Widening in terms of programming.
More targeted Widening approach
The Widening scheme continues but now splits beneficiary countries into two categories: Widening and Transition – the latter are the ones that have been able to show progress in the EU innovation scoreboard and positive return from Horizon Europe. Only entities from these two groups will remain eligible to coordinate “Widening participation and spreading excellence” actions. From 2030, access to capacity building schemes will be restricted to Widening countries that have increased their public R&D expenditure in the prior year.
- While the proposal for the FP10 looks rather positive, more work must be done to ensure robust support for connecting and strengthening territorial R&I ecosystems across the EU in the next budget.
We also share first remarks on the proposed Fund and the NRP Plans regulation:
- The overall aim of the Fund is promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion, the sustainable development and competitiveness of the Union, its security and its preparedness. Reducing regional imbalances in the Union and the backwardness of the least favoured regions and promote European territorial cooperation, remains one of the main general objectives of the Fund, which is welcome.
NRP Plans and multi-level governance and bottom-up approach
Each Member State should organise and implement a comprehensive partnership for the NRP Plan and each chapter, in line with the principle of multi-level governance and bottom-up approach, to ensure a balanced representation of various partners, including regional and local authorities as well as other bodies such as research organisations or universities. The Member State shall involve partners in the preparation of the Plan and throughout the preparation, implementation and evaluation of chapters, including through participation in monitoring committees. In this way, the support provided under the National and Regional Partnership Plans should be tailored to local needs and contexts, while ensuring alignment with EU priorities. The emphasis on multi-level governance and bottom-up approach are very welcome, but the question remains whether practical implementation could work better than the mechanisms that are currently employed.
Place for Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3)
Member States should support territorial development based on integrated territorial development strategies, including via community-led local development, focused on urban areas, rural areas, islands, coastal areas, or any appropriate territorial area as well as smart specialisation or territorial just transition strategies, or strategies for decarbonisation developed with the support of Union instruments in the 2021 to 2027 period, taking account, where relevant, of a functional area and place-based approach. Corresponding milestones and targets shall be established in the Plan. Integrated territorial development and urban development strategies shall contribute to achieving the objectives of the Fund, with no exceptions. This may potentially strengthen the use of S3 as a tool beyond the goal of "more competitive and smarter Europe" where it has been the enabling condition for receiving funding in the current budget, linking it to key objectives and measurable targets.
Find the Commission's official press release here and the MFF 2028-2034 website with links to proposed regulations here.
The Commission's proposals are open for feedback on the "Have your say" portal - learn more here.
By adopting a place-based approach and ensuring a stronger, more inclusive, and better-connected framework for regional research and innovation ecosystems, the EU can unlock its full potential and drive long-term prosperity.
ERRIN has been actively engaged in the discussions in shaping the next Framework Programme 10 (FP10) and MFF, advocating for a place-based, ecosystem approach through developing comprehensive input papers, organising events and policy dialogues between ERRIN members and EU policymakers and key stakeholders. This includes the work with ERRIN's paper series 'Towards the 10th Framework Programme', developed through a co-creation process with members, highlighting four crucial topics for enabling a place-based perspective in R&I policy and funding: EU Missions, Widening, support to territorial R&I ecosystems and European Partnerships. Back in April 2025, ERRIN also developed 10 key messages towards the next MFF.
Looking at MFF post-2027 developments, on 2 September 2025 from 10:00-12:30, the ERRIN Policy WG will hold an in-person meeting to internally discuss between members the Commission proposals and collectively plan related follow-up activities, particularly with regard to FP10 and ECF, as well as cohesion and S3. ERRIN members may learn more and register here.
In the coming months, ERRIN will continue its advocacy and share constructive feedback with key policymakers as the negotiation process advances.