The European Care Alliance – a group of civil society organisations and social economy organisations representing and supporting persons with disabilities, persons in need of care, and their families, service providers in the long-term care sector, health and social partners – urges the European institutions to earmark dedicated funding for care services under the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034.
Following the European Commission’s proposal for a new long-term EU budget in July 2025, the Alliance warns that the current approach risks sidelining the ambitions of the European Care Strategy and weakening the link between the EU budget and communities on the ground.
“Without explicit funding for care and support services, the EU risks leaving millions of carers and care receivers behind,” said COFACE President, Antonia Torrens. “We call for clear, measurable commitments to implement the European Care Strategy through the next 7-year EU budget from 2028-2034.”
The Alliance, coordinated by COFACE Families Europe, identifies key areas for action to ensure that the European Care Strategy is embedded in future EU funding frameworks. This includes introduction of specific indicators on the adequacy, availability, and quality of care services, and the recognition of both formal and informal carers as beneficiaries of EU funding support; as well as ensuring there is an explicit reference to the European Care Strategy in the future EU budget, and a meaningful share of the budget goes to care.
The Alliance stresses that as the EU transitions to a more nationalised budget model – with 27 National and Regional Partnership Plans replacing over 500 current programmes – it is essential to uphold robust civil society participation and multi-level governance to keep the EU close to its citizens.
The European Care Alliance calls on the European Parliament and Council to ensure that the next EU budget reflects the EU’s commitment to social rights, gender equality, and inclusive growth – by investing decisively in care.
See the full European Care Alliance proposals here.
1.The European Care Alliance has carried out joint work since October 2023, publishing a number of joint statements.
2. The European Care Strategy is a policy framework launched by the European Commission in September 2022.
3. ESF+ provides funding to implement the new European Care Strategy | European Social Fund Plus
4. European Commission proposal on EUs next long-term budget.
