Overview
In the last five years, the EU has set course on an ambitious programme of modernisation. During this mandate, the European Commission will focus on implementation, investment and reform to prepare for the future. This will involve developing a simpler, more impactful EU budget to deliver funds where they matter the most; implementing reforms to ensure the proper functioning of a larger union and strengthening the partnership between the European Commission and the European Parliament. Work in these areas will cut across the actions on our other priorities and will require EU institutions and countries to work together as a team.
What the EU budget helps to support
Objectives
A new budget fit for our ambitionsto use our financial capacity in the best way possible
- An ambitious reform agenda for Europe
to ensure the proper functioning of a larger Union
- Strengthen partnership with the European Parliament
to deliver more effectively together
How we will achieve our objectives
Over the course of the Commission’s mandate between 2024-2029 and to keep Europe on its course of modernisation and preparedness for the future, we will deliver
A new budget fit for our ambitions
To continue delivering on our ambitions, we need a modern and reinforced EU budget. For this, we will
- propose a new long-term budget in 2025 that is more focused on our priorities, simpler in the way it works, and more impactful through increased leverage of national, private and institutional financing
- provide EU funds only where the rule of law is respected
- strengthen and modernise revenues for the EU budget with new own resources to ensure sufficient financing for our common priorities
- revamp our external action financing, to make it more impactful and targeted for our partners and more aligned with our strategic interests
To ensure our Union's proper functioning in light of future enlargements, we require ambitious reforms. We need to be equipped to tackle geopolitical challenges and improve democratic legitimacy. In order to achieve this, we will
- continue to follow up on the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe
- support treaty changes when it can improve our Union
- work on making sure both EU countries and future EU countries are ready when the EU is enlarged
- present pre-enlargement policy reviews focusing on individual sectors such as the rule of law, the single market, food security, defence and security, climate and energy and migration
- put forward proposals to enhance Europe’s capacity to act, looking at new formats and decision-making processes, including for a larger Union
To strengthen our partnership with the European Parliament, so that we can deliver more effectively together, we will
- continue to support the European Parliament’s legislative initiatives
- strengthen our dialogue and cooperation with the Parliament, with Commissioners taking part in structured dialogues with Parliamentary committees when the Parliament asks the Commission to submit a law proposal (in accordance with Article 225 TFEU)
- work with the European Parliament to revise our Framework Agreement to strengthen our joint political responsibility, increase the flow of information and ensure greater transparency
- strengthen our dialogue and ensure that Commissioners are more present in their respective committees and Parliament’s plenary sessions
Progress to date
Monitor, follow, and stay updated on the progress of new initiatives, proposed laws and legislative changes under this priority.
- November 2024
Political agreement on EU annual budget 2025
- February 2024
Political agreement on the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027
- November 2023
The Commission launches the 2024 European Semester cycle that helps identify economic and social challenges in the EU
In the spotlight
Under its mid-term review of the cohesion policy, the European Commission has proposed amendments to existing laws and invited EU countries to adjust their cohesion programmes to invest in the EU’s strategic priorities. The priorities reflect the EU’s most pressing challenges and include improving EU competitiveness, defence, security and support for Eastern border regions as well as affordable housing, water resilience, and energy transition. The Commission is looking to conclude the cohesion reprogramming exercise with EU countries and regions in 2025, so that the new programmes can start to be implemented in early 2026. The cohesion policy plays a key role in reducing disparities between EU regions to promote economic, social, and territorial cohesion, and making the EU more competitive, sustainable, and equitable.
Who is in charge
Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms
Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency
Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification
Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration