The European Disability Forum (EDF) has issued a statement expressing concern about the potential reduction in support for marginalised groups, such as people with disabilities, during the ongoing discussions around the future of the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF), for the period 2028-2035. The statement highlights that reduced funding would weaken programmes that improve the lives of EU citizens, such as the European Social Fund Plus, the Regional Development Fund and Erasmus+. Additionally, EDF expresses concern that the EU will reduce the budget for the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme. The statement contains a number of specific calls, including the need to:
• Safeguard support for civil society working on equality and human rights as part of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme
• Ensure that Cohesion, Resilience and Values funding is governed by clear conditions, in line with the EU’s human rights commitments (e.g. the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)
• Include non-binding guidance on the use of EU funds, e.g. the the need to follow EU Guidance on Independent Living and Inclusion in the Community for Persons with Disabilities.
The full statement is available at: https://www.edf-feph.org/publications/the-next-eu-budget-must-keep-supporting-marginalised-groups/
