Representing your company or sector in Brussels can sometimes feel frustrating. On occasion, we hear from organisations who are disheartened by the limited attention they receive from EU institutions. Questions like “Why does no one in the institutions seem to care about my industry?”, “Why is my industry not getting more funding support?” come up more often than you think. Of course, the answer is usually more complicated than the question. However, one reason priorities do not always seem flexible is that the EU makes a long-term choice every seven years, exactly when the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is agreed upon.
As a matter of fact, with over €2 trillion in play, the Multiannual Financial Framework is more than just the EU budget; it’s a reflection of what policies and sectors the EU decides to focus on for the seven years ahead.
And here’s the critical part: the clock is ticking. The European Commission is set to deliver its proposal for the new MFF in July 2025. That means the window to influence what gets prioritised is closing fast. If your organisation doesn’t act now to engage in the process, you risk being sidelined for the next seven years.
Did we get your attention? Then that’s a good time to invite you to read more below and find out what you could do to prevent your sector from being left out.
My name is Maria Pulina, and I’m a Senior Consultant at Publyon. This article would not have been possible without the support of our partner organisation FirstBlue and the valuable insights of EU funding experts Georgeta Galusca and Audrey Sanctorum.
What is the Multiannual Financial Framework?
The Multiannual Financial Framework is the EU’s seven-year spending plan. It sets out how much money the EU can invest – and on what – across policy priorities such as climate, cohesion, research, migration, and defence.
Furthermore, the MFF ensures financial stability and predictability for flagship programmes such as Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and the Common Agricultural Policy. The MFF is not just a financial tool, but a real political roadmap of EU priorities.
Who decides the MFF and how is it approved?
Mid-July is the time period you need to keep in mind.
The process starts with the European Commission, which prepares a legislative proposal. The current roadmap suggests a new proposal will be presented in mid-July 2025. What happens next?
- First of all, the national governments and the European Parliament engage in often intense negotiations and may push for more ambitious targets.
- The final approval requires unanimity among all EU heads of state and government.
- Finally, the European Parliament provides the final approval.
The process typically takes 18–24 months. Early engagement is vital if you want to have any kind of influence in shaping the long-term EU budget.
The road to the next Multiannual Financial Framework: what are the next steps?
Ahead of the new Multiannual Financial Framework’s proposal, the Commission recently launched a public consultation, seeking feedback on EU spending priorities. The consultation closed in May 2025. The next steps include:
- A legislative proposal in July 2025;
- European Council negotiations (late 2025–2026);
- Expected final agreement by late 2026.
Multiannual Financial Framework adoption timeline
Credit: FirstBlue
Why should your organisation care about the Multiannual Financial Framework?
Knowing the structure and priorities of the MFF helps organisations like yours:
- Identify where the future EU funding will go;
- Anticipate risks and act promptly if funding for your sectors decreases;
- Position your organisation early in lobbying and policy influence.
What can your organisation already do?
Firstly, draft your whitepaper. Think about what your industry would need to flourish in the EU in the next seven years and craft a compelling story that works in Brussels. Need support? Our Digital Public Affairs services help you elaborate a narrative that matters, is aligned with the EU’s priorities and is impactful for incoming policymakers.
Secondly, elaborate a solid engagement strategy for the MFF negotiations. Once the proposal is out, timing is everything. If you did not already provide input via the public consultations, chances are that opportunities for your organisation to influence the process will be limited to the negotiation phase. An occasion to not miss! We support clients with real-time policy monitoring, tailored influence roadmaps, and direct advisory on Council and Parliament dynamics—so you’re not reacting, but leading.
What will change in the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework?
Several shifts are on the horizon for the new MFF, including:
- The introduction of a European Competitiveness Fund to support strategic sectors like clean tech and digital infrastructure. For European industry, it could translate into more funding to expand its operations.
- Increased funding for defence, Ukraine reconstruction and border management to respond to ongoing geopolitical pressures. A great news for those businesses operating in dual-use sectors (infrastructures such as ports, but also sectors such as AI, tech, chemicals and automotive may be impacted).
- Greater budgetary flexibility and possibly fewer spending categories. This is already triggering criticisms from actors such as farmers and regions, which currently depend on set funding headings, and that may see such flexibility as a threat to the predictability and stability of long-term financial support.
- The EU will begin repaying debt from the NextGenerationEU recovery package, putting pressure on other spending areas (i.e. less money available and more competition to grab them).
What is left to say?
Take action!
If you’re wondering how to turn the new EU budget into a competitive edge – or at least to understand what financial opportunities and threats lie ahead – let’s connect. Drop me a message via my LinkedIn profile or get in touch by e-mail at m.pulina@publyon.com.
If you want to apply for EU funding or want to know which EU funding programmes offer the best chances for your project, visit the FirstBlue website or get in touch by e-mail with Georgeta Galusca and Audrey Sanctorum.
Feel free to share your questions or feedback with us, we’ll be very willing to hear from you!
Have your say on the next EU budget!
Get a better understanding of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework and its financial opportunities for your organisation.
Fill out the form below and our team of experts will get in touch with you.
