What changed

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Women’s Rights and GenderForeign EqualityAffairs presents to the Committee on Budgets, as the committee responsible, the following:

Amendment 1

Motion for a resolution

RecitalParagraph A26 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Aa. whereas gender equality is a core value of the Union enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union; whereas Article 8 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union states that ‘in all its activities, the Union shall aim to eliminate inequalities and to promote equality’, thus establishing the principle of gender mainstreaming, which stipulates that the gender equality perspective must be integrated across all policies and programmes, including all levels of the budgetary process; whereas budgets are never gender-neutral and therefore need to be established with the clear objective of anti-discrimination and the goal of reaching all individuals and their specific needs;

26 a. Recognises the growing threat of foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), particularly from state and non-state actors such as Russia, China and North Korea, as well as its impact on democratic processes and social cohesion within the EU; calls for the establishment of a dedicated budget line to support FIMI resilience, ensuring that each EU delegation has at least one expert on information environment monitoring and resilience; supports the creation of regional hubs for countering disinformation and for coordinating strategic communication efforts in vulnerable regions;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

Recital C

Paragraph 29

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

C. whereas spending through the Union budget, if effectively targeted, aligned with the Union’s political priorities and coordinated with spending at national level, helps to avoid fragmentation in the single market and to boost the overall impact of public investment; whereas public investment is essential to incentivise private investment;

29. Underscores the importance of a competitive and resilient European defence technological and industrial base and considers that joint EU-level investment in defence can generate economies of scale, and thus significant savings for Member States, and help ensure the interoperability of equipment and systems; points to the need to direct support towards the defence industry within the Union, thus creating quality high-skilled jobs;

C. whereas spending through the Union budget, if effectively targeted, aligned with the Union’s political priorities and coordinated with spending at national level, helps to protect and promote fundamental rights, including women’s rights and the rule of law, foster cohesion and equality, as well as avoid fragmentation in the single market and to boost the overall impact of public investment; whereas public investment is essential to incentivise private investment;

29. Underscores the importance of a competitive and resilient European defence technological and industrial base and considers that joint EU-level investment in defence can generate economies of scale, and thus significant savings for Member States, and help ensure the interoperability of equipment and systems; points to the need to direct support towards the defence industry within the Union, thus creating quality high-skilled jobs; emphasises the importance of ensuring that joint EU defence procurement initiatives benefit not only major defence industry players but also SMEs, fostering innovation and competitiveness in the defence sector; calls for alignment with the recommendations of the Draghi and Niinistö reports to create a balanced and strategic European defence ecosystem;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

Recital E a (new)

Paragraph 35

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Ea. whereas Parliament has repeatedly called for sufficient funding for the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), Daphne Strand, Equality and Rights Strand of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, CSOs under the NDICI programme, EU4Health programme, ESF+ Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) strand; whereas Parliament has repeatedly also called for the application of gender mainstreaming in the main European Funds such as Horizon Europe, CAP, Cohesion Funds and Next Generation EU;

35. Insists that, in a context of heightened global instability, the Union must continue to engage constructively with third countries and support peace, stability, prosperity, security, democracy and sustainable development globally, in line with its values;

35. Insists that, in a context of heightened global instability, the Union must continue to engage constructively with third countries and support peace, stability, prosperity, security, democracy and sustainable development globally, in line with its values; recognises the strategic importance of engaging with the estimated 25-30 million EU citizens residing outside the Union; calls for the establishment of a dedicated and well-coordinated budget line under the European External Action Service to enhance outreach and engagement with these citizens, ensuring that they are integrated into EU public diplomacy efforts;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1 a (new)

Paragraph 37

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

1a. Highlights the Union’s commitments to equality, especially those outlined in the gender equality strategy and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, specifically goals 5 and 10; underlines that the post-27 MFF should mainstream gender equality and help eliminate inequalities across the Union and in the world including by dedicated EU budget expenditures higher than the current ones and by supporting gender equality and other equality objectives in line with the Treaties;

37. Stresses that the next MFF must continue to tackle the most pressing global challenges, from fighting climate change, to providing relief in the event of natural disasters, ensuring global food security, improving healthcare systems, reducing poverty and inequality and boosting competitiveness and the security of global supply chains; emphasises, in particular, the need for support for the Union’s Southern and Eastern Neighbourhoods;

37. Stresses that the next MFF must continue to tackle the most pressing global challenges, including humanitarian crises, climate change, food security, and global supply chain stability; emphasises the importance of allocating funds to reinforce strategic partnerships with key Mediterranean countries such as Jordan and Morocco; supports targeted funding to strengthen regional security, capacity building for institutional development and migration management initiatives that are conditional on adherence to fundamental EU values;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 341

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

3. Emphasises that the post-2027 MFF must also become simpler and more transparent and be protected against misuse, fraud and breaches of the principles of the rule of law and the Union’s values;

41. Considers that the next MFF is pivotal for preparing the Union for enlargement and the candidate countries for accession; recalls that the stability, security and democratic resilience of the candidate countries are inextricably linked to those of the EU and require sustained strategic investment to support their convergence with Union standards;

3. Emphasises that the post-2027 MFF must also become simpler and more transparent and be protected against misuse, fraud and breaches of the principles of the rule of law, fundamental rights and the Union’s values;

41. Considers that the next MFF is pivotal for preparing the Union for enlargement and ensuring that candidate countries receive structured financial support for institutional and economic transformation; calls for increased funding for Ukraine, Moldova and other candidate countries, utilising both grants and loans, and ensuring that robust governance mechanisms are in place; supports the establishment of a dedicated reserve budget for capacity-building initiatives, enhancing institutional resilience and the rule of law;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 46

Paragraph 41 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

46. Emphasises the importance of the Union budget in promoting and protecting democracy and the Union’s values, fostering the Union’s common cultural heritage and European integration, enhancing citizen engagement and youth participation and promoting fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the rule of law; points to the importance of independence of justice, the sound functioning of national institutions, support for civil society and de-oligarchisation;

41 a. Recognises that a more strategic and impactful external funding approach is essential for the next MFF; calls for enhancing the Global Gateway offer through integrated country packages that combine infrastructure investment, trade and macro-economic support; stresses that the next funding instrument should provide predictability to develop long-term and mutually beneficial partnerships;

46. Emphasises the importance of the Union budget in the elimination of discrimination, as well as gender inequality and gender-based violence, promoting and protecting democracy and the Union’s values, fostering the Union’s common cultural heritage and European integration, enhancing citizen engagement and youth participation and promoting fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the rule of law; points to the importance of independence of justice, the sound functioning of national institutions, increased support for civil society and de-oligarchisation;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 46 a (new)

Paragraph 44

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

46a. Supports, therefore, gender mainstreaming and gender equality commitments in all EU policies under the next MFF, as well as a reinforced budgetary dimension in combating all instances of discrimination;

44. Underlines that pre-accession support to Ukraine has to be distinct from financial assistance for reconstruction and post-war recovery, where needs are far more substantial and require a concerted international effort, of which support through the Union budget should be an important part;

44. Emphasises that post-2027 EU financial assistance to Ukraine must be distinct from reconstruction aid, which requires a long-term, structured approach; calls for a dedicated Ukraine reconstruction fund within the next MFF, focusing on critical infrastructure rebuilding, digital transformation and economic reintegration with the EU market; supports investment in transportation networks, energy security and governance reforms to facilitate Ukraine’s accession process;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 46 b (new)

Paragraph 45

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

46b. Underlines the need for an increase in funding that contributes to the maintenance of a pluralistic society where equality and the rights of persons, including gender equality, as enshrined in the Treaty, the Charter and international human rights conventions, are promoted and protected; calls therefore for the maintenance and strengthening of the CERV and NDICI programmes as standalone programmes with increased funding in the next MFF;

45. Is convinced that the existing mandatory revision clause in the event of enlargement should be maintained in the next framework; stresses that national envelopes should not be affected in the event of enlargement; underlines that the next MFF will also have to reform key spending areas, such as cohesion and agriculture, and plan for appropriate transitional and phasing-in measures;

45. Is convinced that the existing mandatory revision clause in the event of enlargement should be maintained in the next framework; stresses that national envelopes should not be affected in the event of enlargement; underlines that the next MFF will also have to reform key spending areas, such as cohesion and agriculture, and plan for appropriate transitional and phasing-in measures; calls for the establishment of a pre-accession financial instrument specifically designed for Ukraine, ensuring predictable funding for institutional strengthening and legal alignment with EU standards;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4645 ca (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

46c. Stresses the need to ensure that all women have access to sexual and reproductive services and that special attention be paid to the specific needs of marginalised persons, including children, people with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, women who are refugees and migrants and the LGBTI community;

45 a. Underlines the need for increased coherence between internal and external EU policies to better serve EU interests and competitiveness; advocates for external action funding that supports new solutions in green technology, digital innovation, health, education and migration, while aligning with EU investment and trade objectives; emphasises the importance of promoting a level playing field for private sector investments;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 46 da (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

46d. Regrets that in the current MFF, elements of anti-gender and anti-abortion movements have benefited from European funding, despite their contravention of fundamental rights and other EU values; urges the Commission to ensure that in the upcoming MFF, no funding will be made available to anti-gender groups that aim to roll back important advances in women’s rights, or to any group that works to erode fundamental rights as outlined in the Charter;

46 a. Highlights the necessity for the EU to deepen its engagement with emerging economies and developing regions through sustainable investment programmes; calls for the next MFF to introduce targeted funding mechanisms that promote economic cooperation, technology transfer and regulatory harmonisation in key partner countries;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4648 ea (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

46e. Underlines the need for DAPHNE, which aims to prevent and combat all forms of gender-based violence, to become an autonomous programme with a separate budget line and increased funding to ensure the effective implementation of the recently adopted directive on violence against women and girls and domestic violence;

48 a. Emphasises that to secure long-term stability and economic growth, the EU must invest in reducing strategic dependencies on foreign supply chains; supports increased funding for initiatives aimed at securing critical materials, fostering innovation in green energy and strengthening EU technological sovereignty;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 48

Paragraph 49 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

48. Highlights the importance of strong links between respect for the rule of law and access to EU funds under the current MFF; believes that the protection of the Union’s financial interests depends on respect for the rule of law at national level; welcomes, in particular, the positive impact of the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation in protecting the Union’s financial interests in cases of systemic and persistent breaches of the rule of law; calls on the Commission and the Council to apply the regulation strictly, consistently and without undue delay wherever necessary; emphasises that decisions to suspend or reduce Union funding over breaches of the rule of law must be based on objective criteria and not be guided by other considerations, nor be the outcome of negotiations;

49 a. Calls for the reinstatement of a dedicated budget line for local and regional authorities (LRAs) in external action funding, equivalent to that of civil society organisations, ensuring that LRAs play a key role in implementing the EU’s development policies; recommends integrating LRAs into EU external funding instruments such as NDICI-Global Europe and the Global Gateway strategy; supports the development of a localisation marker to assess the impact of EU interventions at the sub-national level, ensuring more effective and sustainable development cooperation;

48. Highlights the importance of strong links between respect for the rule of law, human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality and human rights, and access to EU funds under the current MFF; believes that the protection of the Union’s financial interests depends on respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights, including women’s rights at national level; welcomes, in particular, the positive impact of the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation in protecting the Union’s financial interests in cases of systemic and persistent breaches of the rule of law; calls on the Commission and the Council to apply the regulation strictly, consistently and without undue delay wherever necessary; emphasises that decisions to suspend or reduce Union funding over breaches of the rule of law must be based on objective criteria and not be guided by other considerations, nor be the outcome of negotiations;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4950

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

49. Points to the need for a strong link between the rule of law and the Union budget post-2027 and welcomes the Commission’s intention to bolster links between the recommendations in the annual rule of law report and access to funds through the budget; calls on the Commission to outline, in the annual rule of law report from 2025 onwards, the extent to which identified weaknesses in rule of law regimes potentially pose a risk to the Union budget; welcomes, furthermore, the link between respect for Union values and the implementation of the budget and calls on the Commission to actively monitor Member States’ compliance with this principle;

50. Calls for the consolidation of a robust rule of law toolbox, building on the current conditionality provisions under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and the horizontal enabling conditions in the Common Provisions Regulation; underlines the need for far greater transparency and consistency with regard to the application of tools to protect the rule of law and for Parliament’s role to be strengthened in the application and scrutiny of such measures; insists, furthermore, on the need for consistency across instruments when assessing breaches of the rule of law in Member States;

49. Points to the need for a strong link between the rule of law and fundamental rights, and the Union budget post-2027 and welcomes the Commission’s intention to bolster links between the recommendations in the annual rule of law report and access to funds through the budget; calls on the Commission to outline, in the annual rule of law report from 2025 onwards, the extent to which identified weaknesses in rule of law regimes potentially pose a risk to the Union budget; welcomes, furthermore, the link between respect for Union values and the implementation of the budget and calls on the Commission to actively monitor Member States’ compliance with this principle;

50. Calls for the consolidation of a robust rule of law toolbox, building on the current conditionality provisions under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and the horizontal enabling conditions in the Common Provisions Regulation; underlines the need for far greater transparency and consistency with regard to the application of tools to protect the rule of law and for Parliament’s role to be strengthened in the application and scrutiny of such measures; insists, furthermore, on the need for consistency across instruments when assessing breaches of the rule of law in Member States; recognises that approximately 65 % of sustainable development goal (SDG) targets cannot be achieved without the involvement of local and regional authorities; calls for the next MFF to allocate resources for supporting decentralised cooperation programmes, such as the ‘Partnership for Sustainable Cities’, and to facilitate access to financing instruments for LRAs in partner countries;

Or. en

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 53

Paragraph 50 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

53. Underlines, therefore, that the next MFF must ensure that, across the board, spending programmes pursue climate and biodiversity objectives, promote and protect rights and equal opportunities for all, including gender equality, support competitiveness and bolster the Union’s preparedness against threats;

53. Underlines, therefore, that the next MFF must ensure that, across the board, spending programmes pursue climate and biodiversity objectives, promote and protect fundamental rights and equal opportunities for all, including gender equality, support competitiveness and bolster the Union’s preparedness against threats;

Or. en

Amendment 15

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 55 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

55a. Reiterates the need to further develop and improve the EU gender tracking methodology; calls for links to be established between the targets included in the upcoming gender equality strategy and the MFF as a key vehicle to implement the strategy; underlines the need for improved collection, reporting and evaluation of comparable gender-disaggregated data and the development of horizontal EU definitions, to facilitate gender impact assessments in Union policy areas; calls for an improved methodology which should identify not only the beneficiaries of the funds, but also the transformative potential of the programmes;

Or. en

Amendment 16

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 55 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

55b. Underlines the need for a legislative proposal to define one or more categories of female-led or female-owned companies with a particularly positive impact on gender equality linked to their recruitment, working time, child-care or gender procurement policies; calls for a gender-equality-friendly company passport similar to the envisaged SME passport that would give preferential access to funding opportunities;

Or. en

Amendment 17

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 55 c (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

55c. Calls for an independent gender impact assessment, evaluating the impact of the MFF programmes on gender equality;

Or. en

Amendment 18

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 57 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

57a. Highlights the fact that the delivery of gender mainstreaming training provided to EU Commission officials at the European University Institute is integral to ensuring the realisation of equality objectives of the Union; calls for the expansion of this training with the possibility to offer training places to officials of Parliament and the political groups;

Or. en

Amendment 19

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 57 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

57b. Recalls the important role played by EIGE in understanding and addressing the extent and causes of gender inequality affecting women in all their diversity in the Union, especially in the context of the backlash against women’s rights and conflict-related, economic and health crises and having in mind intersectionality; recalls that EIGE has experienced persistent issues with understaffing, which were further aggravated through the sharp increase in requests for technical assistance as a result of the prioritisation of gender mainstreaming in all Union policies and initiatives in the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025; stresses its calls for EIGE to be granted the budget and staff allocations, including an increase in contract agents, required to handle the significant increase in workload, including the implementation of the actions that will be proposed in the renewed gender equality strategy;

50 a. Underlines that to strengthen economic security, the EU should focus on reinforcing the resilience of supply chains and securing access to critical materials and technologies; calls for reducing dependencies through diversification of strategic partnerships and enhancing EU capabilities in key industrial sectors to ensure a stable and competitive economy;

Or. en