The European Union is currently preparing the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034) (MFF), which will shape EU spending priorities for the coming years. EU funds play a crucial role in supporting national, regional and local authorities in delivering social services, addressing social inequalities, and strengthening social inclusion across Europe.

The European Social Network (ESN), representing public social services across Europe, has outlined key priorities for the next MFF, highlighting the importance of ensuring adequate and accessible EU funding to support social services at regional and local levels. Cities and regions are the levels of government closest to the end beneficiaries of EU funds. They are therefore uniquely positioned to understand first-hand the needs of those benefiting from the ESF+ and rely on the ESF+ to enhance social inclusion within their territories. Without a well-funded  standalone ESF+ and an MFF that prioritises Europe’s social needs, cities and regions would therefore struggle to help those most in need in their territories, directly impacting the fulfilment of the EU social targets for 2030.

In that sense, and to ensure that the upcoming MFF does not undermine the way towards a social Europe, ESN recently published a position paper demanding the upcoming MFF to:

• Secure a standalone European Social Fund+ backed by at least the same level of funding as the current ESF+, adjusted for inflation, with a minimum of 25% earmarked for social inclusion
• Reinstate thematic enabling conditions linked to the European Pillar of Social Rights, ensuring EU investments deliver measurable social outcomes
• Guarantee meaningful involvement of regional and local authorities in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of EU-funded social services related programmes
• Preserve and strengthen cross-European knowledge exchange programmes such as EaSi
• Protect subsidiarity by ensuring a standalone ESF+ that cannot be reallocated without local consent
• Promote the transition from institutional to community- and family-based social services
• Establish a care guarantee.

This event will provide an opportunity for ESN members from regions and cities, including local mayors and councillors, regional social affairs ministers, and directors of social services. All of them have expressed their support for ESN’s position on the MFF and understand that it is key to engage directly with Members of the European Parliament to ensure a strong European Social Fund is a key feature of the next EU budget. 

Confirmed speakers include: 
MEP Hristo Petrov (Renew), MEP Estelle Ceulemans (S&D), MEP João Oliveira (The Left), MEP Gordan Bosanac (Greens/EFA), and Ruth Paserman (European Commission), among other EU stakeholders. 

We encourage ESN members to register by Thursday 4 June (COB) (Limited spots available) 
📍 European Parliament, Brussels 
📅 11 June 2026 
🕒 15:00 – 17:00 

For any other inquiry about the event please contact ines.suner@esn-eu.org