As Europe navigates an increasingly complex global landscape, the Annual EU Budget Conference 2025, held by the European Commission on May 20–21, emerged as a critical forum for shaping the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). This exclusive briefing from Dods EU Political Monitoring captures the full breadth of the two-day event, offering in-depth analysis of the discussions, keynote addresses, and strategic priorities that will define the EU’s budgetary direction in the years ahead.
What’s in this briefing?
This briefing distils the key takeaways from over a dozen sessions, featuring high-level insights from President Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa, Nadia Calviño, and thought leaders from the European Court of Auditors, the EIB, EBRD, and beyond. It covers:
- The Call for Budgetary Flexibility: As crises become more frequent, the need for a more adaptable EU budget is a recurring theme.
- Citizens’ Panel Influence: For the first time, recommendations from 150 EU citizens helped shape the budget discourse.
- Strategic Priorities: From defence, competitiveness, and digital innovation to climate action and fraud prevention, this year’s conference spotlighted the EU’s evolving fiscal responsibilities.
- Future of EU Financing: Explore proposals for new own-resources, simplification of funding mechanisms, and the role of private investment in scaling European innovation.
Why it matters
In a time of economic transition and geopolitical uncertainty, understanding the mechanisms and motivations behind EU spending is vital for stakeholders across public policy, industry, academia, and civil society. This briefing offers critical context on how the EU plans to align its budget with core priorities, security, sustainability, and solidarity, while ensuring transparency and accountability.
To access the full briefing of the conference, simply fill in the form below.
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Image Source: European Parliament Multimedia Centre
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