Citizens invited to have their say on new EU budget

A panel discussion that looks into the new EU budget, between the Commission and 150 randomly selected citizens, is starting today. It will be the first of three sessions and will help the EU decide how to spend its money in future.

The in-person session will take place from 28-30 March and will be followed by a second online session (April 25-27) and a third and final session in Brussels (May 16-18). These discussions are part of the European Citizens’ Panels, which are a way for citizens to engage with the EU institutions and have their say on the EU policymaking process. 

By the end of the closing session, the participants, who come from all 27 EU countries and represent the EU’s diversity, will make a series of recommendations that will support the Commission’s work on the EU budget. In parallel, the Citizens' Engagement Platform , an online discussion forum, is open to contributions from the general public. 

The long-term EU budget, otherwise known as the multiannual financial framework, defines the size of the budget and what it is spent on for several years. The Commission will make a first proposal for this new budget in July 2025, which will eventually replace the current long-term budget that runs from 2021 to 2027. 

For more information

Overview of the European Citizens’ Panel on the new EU budget

EU budget

Benefits of the EU budget