The EURoma Network has published a position paper analysing the European Commission’s proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, warning that key changes to the EU budget architecture could seriously weaken investments in Roma equality and social inclusion.
While acknowledging the need to adjust EU funding instruments to new challenges, EURoma underlines that the proposed integration of the European Social Fund (ESF) into large National and Regional Partnership Plans risks diluting the social mission of EU funds. The absence of clear earmarking for social inclusion, combined with a broad and loosely defined 14 % “social target”, may lead Member States to prioritise infrastructure or competitiveness‑oriented investments over targeted support for the most disadvantaged groups, including Roma.
The position paper also raises concerns about the loss of explicit Roma objectives. Unlike the current programming period, the proposed framework largely confines references to Roma to recitals or limited performance indicators, increasing the risk that Roma communities are overlooked in mainstream approaches. EURoma stresses that past experience shows that explicit recognition is essential to ensure adequate planning, funding and measurable impact.
Further risks include an over‑reliance on short‑term, performance‑based funding, which may penalise long‑term social inclusion measures, and provisions allowing unused funds to be redirected towards crisis response, potentially diverting resources originally intended for social cohesion.
To address these challenges, EURoma calls on EU institutions to safeguard the European Social Model by maintaining a strong and identifiable ESF with a budget at least equivalent to the current period, and with clear ring‑fencing for social inclusion, including a minimum 25 % allocation for vulnerable groups. The Network also recommends restoring a specific objective on Roma equality, supported by robust indicators, and ensuring full coherence between EU funding instruments and key policy frameworks such as the EU Roma Strategic Framework, the Anti‑Racism Strategy, the Child Guarantee and the forthcoming EU Anti‑Poverty Strategy.
With negotiations on the future EU budget underway, EURoma urges EU decision‑makers to ensure that EU funds remain a powerful and effective tool to tackle persistent inequality and discrimination, placing Roma equality and social cohesion firmly at the heart of Europe’s long‑term priorities.
The full position paper is available here in English: EUROMA Position Paper_MFF post-2028-34 and here in Spanish: 3 EUROMA Position Paper_MFF post-2028-34_ES. It is currently being translated into other EU languages.
Further information
- The EC’s proposal on the Multiannual Financial Framework sparks debate on the future of social Europe
- European Commission Launches Proposal for EU Budget 2028–2034
