While welcoming the European Commission’s proposal for a nearly €2 trillion EU budget, the Alliance warns that the shift to 27 National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPs) could weaken social investment and the link between EU funding and local communities.

To prevent care-related priorities from being overlooked, the Alliance calls for:

  • Specific tracking and performance indicators aligned with the European Care Strategy, covering both formal and informal carers, as well as service users.
  • Explicit mention of the European Care Strategy in the NRP Regulation and clearer rules on allocating at least 14% of NRP funds to social and care objectives.
  • Inclusion of the European Care Strategy in the European Social Fund Regulation, particularly under provisions addressing demographic transition.

The Alliance stresses that embedding these measures is crucial to ensure adequate, accessible, and high-quality care services across Europe and to uphold the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Access the joint letter here.