The EU BUDGET 2028-2034
In July 2025, the European Commission published its first comprehensive proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), covering the 2028–2034 period. It outlines a strategic overhaul of how the EU plans to invest across its political priorities — with direct implications for companies, research institutions, public entities and other organisations that want to engage with EU direct funding.
At the heart of this shift is the proposed creation of the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), which will merge over a dozen existing instruments into a more integrated and agile investment vehicle.
The ECF will focus on four strategic areas:
- Clean transition and industrial decarbonisation
- Digital leadership
- Health, biotech, agriculture and bioeconomy
- Resilience, security, defence industry and space
Meanwhile, flagship programmes like Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and the newly proposed AgoraEU (focused on culture, media, and fundamental values) will continue to operate as separate but closely coordinated funds.
Although the final budget is unlikely to be adopted before 2027, the Commission’s proposal already signals where the EU will focus its investment priorities — and where funding will be concentrated.
This offers a valuable opportunity to start preparing now — not just by anticipating the future, but by actively building the profile, experience and partnerships that will matter when the first calls under the new MFF go live in 2028.
Our Services
Strategic direction-setting
- Mapping your organisation’s core activities, strengths, and development plans against the strategic priorities emerging in the new MFF
- Identifying gaps, opportunities, and realistic growth areas to position yourself for future calls
- Building a phased development pathway toward 2028
Capability and network building
- Advising on internal capability development and team readiness in priority areas like clean tech, digitalisation, biotech, or dual-use innovation
- Helping you identify potential consortium partners and networks that will be relevant under ECF or Horizon Europe post-2028
- Connecting you with clusters, industry alliances and cross-border cooperation mechanisms
Pilot projects and experience
- Reviewing current EU direct funding opportunities (2021–2027 MFF) — e.g. Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, CEF, LIFE — that can serve as test beds for building your track record
- Supporting your application strategy and selection of calls that:
- align with your longer-term goals
- provide the right thematic and procedural learning experience
- strengthen your future position in competitive funding
Funding readiness audits
- Reviewing your organisation’s positioning, recent project history, and prior EU funding experience
- Advising on how to structure a “funding-ready” profile: references, impact metrics, project design quality, and EU visibility
- Helping you define what kind of projects you should aim for — and which ones to avoid
2028 call preparation
- Once legislative approval and work programmes for 2028+ begin to take shape (likely from 2026 onward), we will guide our clients in navigating those new instruments
- We will ensure early awareness of call drafts, piloting schemes, and emerging consortia to increase competitiveness
Why start now?
The next MFF will bring simplified, consolidated, but also highly competitive EU funding schemes. Organisations that wait until 2028 to “start thinking” about EU funding may find themselves unprepared — or uncompetitive.
Strategic preparation begins today — with the right awareness, the right network, and the right direction.
We’re here to help you get there.