By Konstantinos Diamantouros, EESC Employers' Group member
The MFF remains a key tool to support EU priorities, especially at a time when Europe’s investment needs are growing. While the majority of funds will come from mobilising private investment, public resources will also be crucial.
The MFF remains a key tool to support EU priorities, especially at a time when Europe’s investment needs are growing. While the majority of funds will come from mobilising private investment, public resources will also be crucial.
By Konstantinos Diamantouros, EESC Employers' Group member
Against this backdrop, the MFF proposal marks an important step forward. First, it places a stronger emphasis on competitiveness, especially through the creation of the European Competitiveness Fund and the reinforcement of Horizon Europe, which can help position industry, research and innovation at the heart of EU growth. Second, the expansion of the Connecting Europe Facility has the potential to enhance transport and energy networks and contribute to lowering energy costs.
In addition, the performance-based approach for national and regional plans is welcomed, provided that the ‘reforms for investments’ logic is aligned with cohesion policy objectives and does not introduce macroeconomic conditionality. On external action, the increase in funding for Global Europe is also a positive step, as it can strengthen the EU’s global role, diversify value chains and enhance security.
At the same time, there are areas of concern. As outlined in the EESC opinion on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034, we oppose the idea of merging cohesion policy, ESF+, agriculture, fisheries, migration and security into a single fund, as this risks creating competition between priorities which could undermine the long-term planning needed for the seven year period of the MFF. We therefore call instead for a clearer structure, with predictable funding for each policy area.
The proposed Corporate Resource for Europe (CORE) as a new EU own resource also raises concerns: first, because further taxation may run counter to the EU’s competitiveness agenda; and second, because it is a levy based on turnover rather than profit.
Overall, the proposal moves in the right direction, but the final budget must safeguard cohesion, involve social partners, avoid harmful conditionality and ensure fair financing that supports competitiveness.
The European Life Science Strategy along with the Strategy on Research and Technology infrastructures with focus on the treatment of rare diseases DG RTD – Commissioner ZAHARIEVA
Priorities including housing, competitiveness, tech regulation, and better including citizens in democratic decision making among areas of joint work launched.
recommends adopting the Circular Economy Act (CEA) as a fully-fledged Act to signal the EU’s commitment to systemic change. It calls for a clear mapping of all related legislation, strategies and action plans to ensure a coherent framework for the circular transition.
considers incentives for well-functioning secondary raw material markets and circular business models, including reuse, repair and remanufacturing, to be at the heart of the Act. It also calls for stronger public procurement, reform of extended producer responsibility schemes, improved material traceability, wider use of eco-design and better working conditions. Traceability, certification, harmonised labelling and technical standards are seen as essential to building market confidence and scaling up circular solutions.
recommends establishing a regularly updated repository of circular economy good practices through the European Circular Economy Stakeholders Platform (ECESP), linked to indicators and monitoring frameworks. It stresses the importance of formally recognising transition brokers and ensuring that civil society, cooperatives and social enterprises are active partners in a fair and inclusive circular transition. The Committee also highlights the strategic role of the ECESP in identifying barriers and accelerating implementation.
Social farming as a tool for innovation in agriculture
