05/01/2026 (Agence Europe) – On the eve of the European Council meeting on 18 December (see EUROPE 13776/4), 24 European organisations active in the fields of disability, social economy, the fight against poverty, trade unions and philanthropy sent a joint letter to the Heads of State or Government of the European Union calling for the European Social Fund (ESF) to be preserved in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 and “re-established as a central pillar”. Coordinated by the European Disability Forum, the letter sounds the alarm about the current guidelines for the future multi-annual budget, which, without clear objectives for dedicated governance and guaranteed allocations, could weaken the role of the Fund. While negotiations continue, the EU Member States are aiming for adoption of the MFF as early as 2028 and agreement by the end of 2026, with the next discussion scheduled for the European Council in March. The letter: https://aeur.eu/f/k65 (NP)