02/07/2025
A recently leaked European Commission document has revealed what many feared but hoped wouldn’t materialise: the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is conspicuously absent from the Commission’s draft proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) covering 2028-2034.
This bombshell revelation, first reported by Politico, represents a stunning about-face from the Commission’s own stated commitments to social cohesion and inclusive growth. More troubling still, it appears to completely disregard the clear mandate delivered by the European Parliament just months ago.
Parliament’s Clear Message Ignored
In March 2025, the European Parliament adopted a resolution with a two-thirds majority spanning across the political spectrum—from the European People’s Party (EPP) to the Socialists & Democrats (S&D), Renew Europe, the Greens, and The Left. The message could not have been clearer.
The resolution’s opening paragraph leaves no room for ambiguity: “The European Parliament INSISTS that the ESF+ MUST continue to be the key and primary instrument for supporting Member States, regions, local communities and people in strengthening the social dimension of the Union and in pursuing socio-economic development that leaves no one behind.”
This wasn’t wishful thinking, it was a demand from the EU’s directly elected representatives, speaking with one voice across party lines.
A Contradiction of Huge Proportions
The timing of this leak makes the Commission’s position even more bewildering. We’re in the midst of discussions on three flagship social initiatives that form the cornerstone of President von der Leyen’s political guidelines:
- The new Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights
- The EU Anti-Poverty Strategy
- The EU Affordable Housing Plan
Without dedicated EU funding, these ambitious plans risk becoming nothing more than expensive paperwork exercises. As any policy practitioner knows, without substantial dedicated funding, there can be no meaningful EU social policy.
Constitutional Crisis or Administrative Oversight?
The Commission seems to have conveniently forgotten that under the Lisbon Treaty, the European Parliament acts as co-legislator alongside the Council on budgetary matters. This isn’t some arcane procedural detail; it’s a fundamental principle of EU democracy.
The Parliament’s role in shaping the MFF isn’t advisory; it’s decisional. By seemingly ignoring Parliament’s clear position, the Commission risks creating an unnecessary institutional conflict that could derail the entire budget negotiation process.
What’s at Stake
The European Social Fund Plus is the Union’s primary tool for investing in people. It supports skills development, employment initiatives, social inclusion programmes, and efforts to reduce poverty and inequality across member states.
For millions of Europeans, particularly those in vulnerable situations, ESF+ funding represents real opportunities for education, training, employment, and social integration. Removing this dedicated funding stream would leave a gaping hole in the EU’s capacity to deliver on its promise of upward social convergence.
The Path Forward
The Commission is planning to present its formal MFF proposal on 16 July 2025, giving stakeholders and institutions limited time to influence the final package. Civil society organisations, regional authorities, and social partners must now mobilise quickly to ensure the Commission corrects course.
The leaked documents show that inter-service consultations are still ongoing, with a pre-consultation scheduled for early July. This narrow window represents perhaps the last opportunity to ensure that social funding remains at the heart of the EU’s next long-term budget.
The European Parliament has done its job; it has spoken clearly and decisively about its priorities. The question now is whether the Commission will listen to the voice of European democracy or proceed with a proposal that fundamentally undermines the EU’s social dimension.
Without adequate social funding, the EU risks becoming nothing more than a market-making project, abandoning its commitment to being a union that works for all its citizens, not just the privileged few.
The full European Parliament resolution on the ESF+ post-2027 can be accessed here.