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OPINION (2025/2246(BUI))

On the guidelines for the 2027 budget – Section III

EMPL-AD-781376

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs · Rapporteur: Romana Tomc

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The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs opinion on the 2027 EU budget calls for adequate funding for social and employment policies, highlighting challenges like youth unemployment, child poverty, and demographic change. It urges member states to allocate at least 5% of ESF+ resources to the European Child Guarantee and 15% to youth employment, and stresses the need for gender budgeting and skills investment.

Committee position. The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs calls on the Committee on Budgets to incorporate its suggestions into the motion for a resolution.

Key points

  1. Calls for the 2027 budget to address socio-economic challenges including demographic change, youth unemployment, poverty, and housing access.
  2. Stresses the need for public investment and services to ensure upward social convergence and respond to immediate needs.
  3. Highlights the role of EU programmes like ESF+, Just Transition Fund, and Social Climate Fund, and calls for adequate resources.
  4. Emphasizes ESF+ as key for investing in people and achieving the European Pillar of Social Rights targets.
  5. Calls for implementing the Pillar's Action Plan and warns that without more investment, 2030 targets will not be met.
  6. Urges member states to use remaining EU funds and the Commission to increase technical assistance for fund absorption.
  7. Advocates targeted support for vulnerable groups and an ambitious anti-poverty strategy.
  8. Calls for at least EUR 20 billion for the European Child Guarantee and at least 5% of ESF+ resources for it.
  9. Calls for at least 15% of ESF+ resources for youth employment and action against precarious work.
  10. Emphasizes the need for funding for demographic challenges, care services, and family support.
  11. Calls for gender-responsive budgeting and monitoring of gender gaps.
  12. Stresses the importance of skills, training, collective bargaining, and wage increases, and adequate funding for skills policies.

Who is affected

  • Member states: must allocate ESF+ resources to child and youth measures and use remaining funds.
  • EU agencies in social and employment policy: need proper staffing and resources.
  • Vulnerable groups including women, children, youth, and Roma: targeted support.

Figures and deadlines

  • 24.2 % of children in the EU faced poverty or social exclusion in 2024.
  • At least EUR 20 billion dedicated budget for the European Child Guarantee.
  • At least 5 % of ESF+ resources under shared management for the Child Guarantee.
  • Youth unemployment rate in the EU stood at 15.2 % in October 2025.
  • At least 15 % of ESF+ resources under shared management for youth employment.