The European Disability Forum (EDF) has issued a statement warning against cuts to future cohesion programs as this could put the lives of people with disabilities at risk. The statement comes in response to the European Commission's communication on the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), published on February 12, 2025.
Why is it important?
There is a risk that the increased focus on competitiveness will lead to a reduction in cohesion funding, which would threaten programs that often compensate for insufficient public spending on social inclusion. For example, some programs help people with disabilities in Latvia live in the community, promote education and employment for young people with autism, ADHD, anxiety disorders or depression in Denmark, and provide housing for German citizens who are homeless. Budget cuts will force countries to either fund these projects at their own expense or leave their citizens without support.
EDF's requirements for the EU and its member states:
Protect your budget to finance cohesion, sustainability and values.
Ensure support for civil society, which works on equality and human rights issues as part of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values program.
Implement more targeted initiativesthat will contribute to progress in problematic areas.
EDF's position
Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum, emphasized:
"Cohesion policy-funded programs complement national spending and truly improve our lives. They should be a source of pride for the EU, not just another item of budget cuts."
Additional information
Statement.: The next EU budget should continue to support marginalized groups
Campaign: Ensuring support for the rights of people with disabilities in the next EU budget
Contacts
André Felix
Communications Manager - European Forum of People with Disabilities
andre.felix@edf-feph.org
The European Disability Forum (EDF) is an association of disability organizations that advocates for the interests of 100 million Europeans with disabilities. EDF is a unique platform that brings together representative organizations of people with disabilities from across Europe. The Forum is run by people with disabilities and their families, acting as a powerful and united voice for people with disabilities in Europe.
