The Missing Middle
The European Commission’s 2028–2034 MFF proposal signals a major shift in EU budget governance. By consolidating programmes into new structures such as the European Competitiveness Fund and National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs), it seeks a simpler, more flexible and strategic budget. NRPPs would merge cohesion, agricultural, fisheries and home affairs spending into national plans negotiated with the European Commission, with funding released upon meeting milestones.
This performance-based model, echoing the the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), recentralises power and risks weakening regional involvement and democratic oversight. Whether the new MFF succeeds depends on designing governance that strengthens Member State accountability while preserving inclusiveness, transparency and effective local delivery.
Product details
Table of contents
1. A new governance moment for EU funding
2. Member State accountability: the missing middle in the EU transition
3. Lessons from the RRF: accountability gains, inclusion gaps
4. Reconnecting the regional and local level
5. Ensuring MFF coherence: NRPPs and the European Competitiveness Fund
Policy recommendations