6 February 2026
On Tuesday 3 February, SGI Europe met with MEP Carla Tavares (S&D, PT), Co-Rapporteur on the European Parliament’s report on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, to present its priorities for the next EU long-term budget.
The exchange took place at a key moment, as discussions on the future of MFF are gaining momentum within the European Parliament and across the EU institutions. SGI Europe outlined its main messages as set out in its recently adopted Opinion on the Commission’s proposals for the MFF 2028-2034, stressing the need for an ambitious EU budget that delivers real EU added value, is grounded in local realities, and ensures effective implementation.
During the meeting, SGI Europe underlined that the next MFF should strengthen competitiveness, cohesion, and preparedness in a coherent and mutually reinforcing manner. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of respecting subsidiarity and safeguarding the role of local and regional authorities through the full application of the partnership principle, especially in the context of proposed governance reforms.
SGI Europe also highlighted the need for simpler access to EU funding, with proportional requirements and predictable investment frameworks that support long-term planning. In this regard, the discussion addressed the importance of multi-use and resilience-oriented investments, with services of general interest playing a central role in the EU’s preparedness-by-design approach and in the protection and modernisation of critical infrastructure.
Contact: Maxime Staelens
On 4 February, SGI Europe Internal Market Board gathered in Brussels. The agenda covered various topics, from public procurement to simplification and the various Omnibus packages, as well as access to EU funding. During the meeting, SGI Europe members welcomed guest speaker Valentina Schaumburger, the member in charge of SMEs and public procurement in the Cabinet of Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Stéphane Séjourné.
SGI Europe presented to Ms Schaumburger its positions on the revision of public procurement rules, calling for a balanced revision that ensures that public procurement remains a practical, flexible and reliable tool for public buyers and contracting authorities and entities alike. Members also highlighted that the general public procurement framework should focus on defining “how to buy’’, without determining what has to be procured. This implies respecting the principle of subsidiarity, as well as the freedom of authorities to procure according to their specific needs.
During the meeting, SGI Europe member, the Malta Employers’ Association, also presented its project “Unlock” to members of the Internal Market Board. The project aims to support SMEs in accessing local and EU funding opportunities.
Contact: Raquel Carro-Andollo
SGI Europe has responded to the European Commission’s call for evidence on the upcoming revision of the Better Regulation Framework. The consultation seeks to assess how to strengthen the proportionate application of better regulation, make the consultation system smarter and ensure that EU laws are clearer, easier to implement, and less burdensome.
In its response, SGI Europe calls for the revision to focus on creating a robust better regulation framework that ensures high-quality, clear and implementable rules, providing legal certainty and predictability for all stakeholders and fully respecting the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. This implies ensuring that stakeholder consultations are long enough to allow for wide participation and meaningful contributions, increased transparency, and comprehensive impact assessments. The latter should also be done for the substantial amendments made by the European Parliament and the Council.
Particularly in the social field, the simplification agenda for European labour law needs to be better considered. The guiding principle must be simple, concise, clear and enforceable legislation in its design in order to fulfil its purpose and to support Member States, employers, operators, and workers at the national level and in respect of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. A coherent articulation between the better regulation framework and the uniqueness of social dialogue is also necessary.
SGI Europe advocates for a more effective implementation of the Better Regulation Toolbox, and ensuring that exceptions are limited, justified and accompanied by appropriate safeguards. Overall, better regulation should not become a box-ticking exercise, but a real process to ensure the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of EU policies and legislation.
The Commission plans to adopt the revised Better Regulation Communication in the second quarter of 2026.
Contact: Raquel Carro-Andollo
As Cyprus prepares to take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 January to 30 June 2026, SGI Europe has published a Policy Kit setting out its key priorities for the semester. The document highlights the central role of services of general interest in supporting Europe’s resilience, competitiveness, and social and territorial cohesion at a time of heightened geopolitical, economic, and climate-related challenges.
The Policy Kit aligns closely with the Cyprus Presidency’s focus on autonomy, preparedness, and implementation. SGI Europe underlines that essential services such as energy, water, transport, housing, healthcare, digital connectivity, and social services are not only social safeguards but also strategic enablers of economic activity, investment, and security across all regions, including peripheral and island territories.
Key messages include the need for a strong and ambitious Multiannual Financial Framework that prioritises investment in essential infrastructure, simplified and ownership-neutral access to EU funds, and a reinforced role for local and regional actors. SGI Europe also stresses that the EU’s simplification agenda must improve coherence and efficiency of legislation without weakening fundamental policy objectives, notably in areas such as environmental protection and water resilience.
On competitiveness, the Policy Kit calls for a Single Market that fully integrates services of general interest as economic enablers, reconciles competitiveness with cohesion objectives, and supports long-term investment. It also highlights the importance of addressing labour and skills shortages through the Union of Skills, while respecting national competences and the role of social partners.
Across all priorities, SGI Europe emphasises the importance of enabling the “Freedom to Stay”, ensuring that citizens can live and work in thriving, resilient communities with access to high-quality SGIs. SGI Europe stands ready to engage with the Cyprus Presidency and EU institutions to support a Presidency agenda that combines autonomy, competitiveness, and cohesion.
Contact: Maxime Staelens
On 29 January, the European Commission’s DG Environment published a study on the costs of PFAS alongside the Mid-Term review of the Zero Pollution Action Plan. These reports are interlinked, as emerging pollutants like PFAS play a central role in the Zero Pollution agenda. As the Platform concludes its current term, a call for new applicants is expected in the coming months, alongside dedicated PFAS stakeholder dialogues are envisaged to take place.
The Mid-Term review confirms that while the EU’s legislative framework is largely established, implementation remains inconsistent. The EU is on track to meet 2030 targets for air pollution and pesticide reduction. However, progress in water quality and microplastics has stagnated. The report stresses that success depends on Member States effectively integrating environmental priorities into energy, transport, and agriculture policies.
The PFAS Cost Study clarifies the economic stakes of chemical management. Using updated modelling, it estimates that continued PFAS emissions will result in €440 billion in societal costs by 2050. The study highlights the efficiency of prevention: addressing PFAS at the source by 2040 could save €110 billion. Conversely, treating contaminated water alone is projected to cost over €1 trillion, proving that remediation is far more capital-intensive than regulatory prevention.
With the Platform’s upcoming renewal, the Commission aims to bridge these implementation gaps. Future dialogues will focus on balancing consumer safety with industrial transitions, seeking to align the chemical industry with the Water Resilience strategy. Efforts will prioritise protecting high-risk populations, such as children and workers, while identifying viable alternatives for PFAS in essential industrial applications. For this reason, SGI Europe continues to call for a general ban on PFAS and apply the Pollution control at source.
Contact: Henriette Gleau
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