On 16 July 2025, the European Commission published its proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, along with the proposals for the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the establishment of a new National and Regional Partnership Fund (NRPF).
These documents propose structural changes with potential implications also for the most important forest-related funding measures under the EU budget. Under the new framework, the CAP will no longer be divided into two pillars. Instead, both direct payments and rural development funding will be integrated into the new NRPF (865 bn EUR). According to the draft NRPF Regulation, only income support for the agricultural sector is ringfenced (300 bn EUR), while funding for rural development measures, including those relevant for forest measures, will compete within a broader budget envelope alongside funding for cohesion, fisheries, agriculture and rural areas. This marks a significant shift from previous funding structures.
Despite this, the CAP proposal retains several funding measures relevant to forests. These include, among others, support for agri-environmental-climate actions and various investments in forest holdings. Many of these tools continue from the current and previous programming period, although their structure and article references have been adapted to the new legal framework.
Furthermore, also the LIFE fund shall be integrated into the NRPF. LIFE currently funds measures on climate and environment, including forest-related ones.
CEPF will continue to monitor the developments closely as the proposals move through the legislative process. In a next step, EU Member States and the European Parliament must approve the new budget for 2028-2034.
The Statement by President von der Leyen on the next long-term EU budget can be found here.
