The European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets (BUDG) endorsed the priorities of the draft report on the EU 2026 budget. The Committee is committed to focusing on strategic preparedness and security, economic competitiveness and resilience, sustainability, climate, and strengthening the single market. MEPs call for additional investments in research, innovation, enterprises, health, energy, border protection, digital and green transitions, and young people. The report also highlights the 2026 budget’s limited flexibility due to, among other things, pressure to repay borrowing under the Next Generation EU recovery plan.

The report calls for continued investment in EU4Health and Horizon Europe’s Cluster Health to improve health systems and crisis preparedness. In addition, the Erasmus+ programme was highlighted as essential for empowering young people through education, training, and job opportunities. 

Looking ahead, the plenary vote is set for the April session, while the Commission’s proposal for the 2026 budget is anticipated to be presented in the summer, allowing the Parliament and Council to reach an agreement by year-end. 

The BUDG Committee’s commitment to supporting Erasmus+ and other sport-related funding opportunities is reassuring for the European sport movement, as cuts to sports programmes are not foreseen at the moment.