On 2 September, the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) voted on amendments to the proposed budget expenditure tracking and performance framework for the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

The European Expert Group on the transition from institutional to community-based care (EEG) welcomes the inclusion of several important provisions on deinstitutionalisation, independent living and community-based support. These reflect key priorities that the EEG has been advocating for in discussions on the next EU funding framework.

Earlier this year, the EEG submitted targeted amendments to the EMPL Committee, calling for stronger safeguards to prevent EU funding from supporting institutional and segregating settings, explicit support for the transition to family- and community-based services, and stronger compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).

Important progress for deinstitutionalisation

The amendments supported by the EMPL Committee contain several important developments.

EU funds should not perpetuate institutionalisation. The text states that Union funds must not support actions or solutions that perpetuate the institutionalisation of persons with disabilities and children. It also calls for EU-funded projects to comply with the principles of social inclusion, deinstitutionalisation and community-based support.

Independent living and the transition to community-based support are explicitly recognised. EU programmes and activities should support independent living and accelerate the transition from residential or institutional care to family- and community-based services and support.

Progress towards deinstitutionalisation should be measured. The proposed performance indicators for long-term care include the number of people transitioning from residential care to family- or community-based care and the number of institutional care facilities closed. They also include indicators on children remaining in family care following family-strengthening support and children reunified with their families.

From policy commitments to measurable change

For the EEG, this is particularly important because deinstitutionalisation must be reflected not only in EU policy commitments, but also in what EU funds support and how their results are monitored.

The EEG has consistently advocated for EU funding to support structural reforms towards inclusive, rights-based and community-based systems, while preventing investment that maintains or recreates institutional models. Our proposals to the EMPL Committee specifically called for the ESF to contribute to the transition from institutional to family- and community-based care and to prevent support for segregation and exclusion.

The EMPL vote is therefore an important step and a positive result of this advocacy. However, the legislative process for the next MFF is still ongoing. The EEG will continue working to ensure that these safeguards, commitments and monitoring provisions are maintained and strengthened as negotiations progress.