Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 2025/2445, adopted as a recast of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014, represents a significant update of the legal framework governing European political parties and European political foundations. It was adopted in response to evolving democratic, legal and geopolitical challenges, including concerns related to transparency, accountability and foreign interference. European political foundations occupy a specific and indispensable position within the Union’s democratic ecosystem. Distinct from electoral campaigning, their mission lies in fostering European political awareness, supporting policy development, encouraging civic engagement and enabling long-term political reflection at European level. This role is explicitly recognised in Article 10(4) TEU and is further reflected in the tasks assigned to foundations under the Regulation.

The Co-rapporteurs consider that this role has grown in strategic importance. European political foundations increasingly act as platforms for transnational debate, policy research and political education, linking political actors with academia, civil society and citizens across borders.

The application of the recast Regulation coincides with a period of profound geopolitical uncertainty. The European Union is confronted with hybrid threats, disinformation, geopolitical rivalry, technological disruption, climate change and long-term demographic and socio-economic transformations. These developments underline the need for stronger democratic resilience and for enhanced strategic foresight. European political foundations are particularly well placed to contribute to this effort. Through research, scenario-building, comparative analysis and training, they help prepare political systems and future decision-makers for long-term challenges extending well beyond the immediate electoral cycle.

At the same time, the monitoring exercise shows that the recast Regulation does not sufficiently address long-standing concerns related to the funding framework applicable to European political foundations. While compliance obligations have increased, the overall level and structure of funding have not evolved in a way that reflects the growing scope and strategic relevance of foundations’ activities.

The Co-rapporteurs note that current funding levels remain structurally insufficient. Strict caps on own resources and self-generated income, combined with increased administrative and compliance costs, limit the capacity of foundations to engage in ambitious, long-term and forward-looking activities.

On this basis, the report calls on the Commission to carry out a targeted review of the funding provisions applicable to European political foundations and, where appropriate, to present a legislative proposal revising those provisions. Such a revision should strike a balanced approach, ensuring sufficient resources while maintaining high standards of transparency, accountability and independence.