The last sessions of the European Citizens' Panel on the new EU budget took place in Brussels during this last weekend, 16-18 May.

As part of this initiative, 150 randomly selected citizens from the 27 EU member states came together to discuss which priorities and actions funded by the EU bring the most added value to Europeans. The panellists represented a diverse range of backgrounds, reflecting the EU's geographical spread, as well as a balanced mix of genders, ages, educational levels, and socioeconomic profiles.

The Panel has been a key component of the European Commission's broader initiative to consult with citizens on the future of the Europe's long-term budget, set to begin in 2028. The panel highlighted the need for the future EU budget to prioritise, among others, on environmental protection, economic growth, and digital security, while promoting regional equity, migrant inclusion, and a unified European identity.

The feedback gathered from both the Panel and the ongoing consultation on the Citizens' Engagement Platform, which will remain open for citizen's inputs until the end of May, will feed into the proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The recommendations will be therefore considered by the College of Commissioners, but also by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union during the next MFF negotiations.

Additionally, citizens from the panel will have the opportunity to present their recommendations to interinstitutional and national stakeholders during the Annual Budget Conference taking place at the European Commission.

A press release, including more details and the list of recommendations, is available online.

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