Invest in What Matters – What is at Stake in the Next EU Long-Term Budget

On 3–4 November 2025, the Invest in What Matters Event will take place at the European Parliament in Brussels, gathering civil society organisations, policymakers, and EU institutions to discuss the priorities of the next EU long-term budget. The Invest in What Matters Event aims to promote an open dialogue on how to ensure that European funds are allocated effectively to support democracy, inclusion, and sustainable development across the Union.

Organised by the European Parliament’s Partnerships Team, this two-day event will feature both participatory and high-level sessions. The opening evening on 3 November includes a networking cocktail at the Zweig Visitor Centre, providing participants with the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas.

The following day, 4 November, will begin with a World Café session in the Antall building, encouraging participants to share perspectives on how to engage networks and audiences around the EU’s financial priorities for 2028–2034. The session will be introduced by Philipp Schulmeister, Director for Outreach at DG COMM, followed by group discussions on mobilisation, communication, and civic participation.

The afternoon will feature a high-level panel debate in Room Spinelli 3E2, moderated by Emilie Tournier, Deputy Spokesperson of the European Parliament. Speakers include Sabine Verheyen, Vice-President of the European Parliament; Siegfried Mureșan and Carla Tavares, co-rapporteurs on the EU budget; Elena Calistru, President of the EESC’s ECO Section; and Sari Rautio, rapporteur from the European Committee of the Regions. The event will conclude with remarks from Christian Mangold, Director-General for Communication.

Participation is by invitation only, and sessions will be held in English. To learn more about the European Parliament’s engagement with civil society, visit the European Parliament’s Partnerships webpage.

📍European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium
📆 3–4 November 2025