The European Union of the Deaf (EUD) has submitted proposed amendments to two European Parliament draft reports currently shaping the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034. The first concerns the future Erasmus+ programme (procedure 2025/0222(COD)), which merges the current Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps into a single framework covering education and training, youth, sport, and volunteering. The second concerns the proposed AgoraEU Regulation (procedure 2025/0550(COD)), which merges the current Creative Europe, Media+ and CERV+ programmes into a single framework covering culture, media, and citizens’ rights and values.
Where we are in the legislative process
Both proposals were tabled by the European Commission in July 2025 as part of a broader package of programme legislation under the next MFF. In the European Parliament, both files are progressing through committee stage, with plenary votes currently expected in autumn 2026 in parallel with ongoing Council negotiations.
EUD has transmitted its amendments directly to the rapporteur and shadow rapporteurs in the CULT committee for Erasmus+, and to both co-rapporteurs and the shadow rapporteurs across the CULT and LIBE committees for AgoraEU.
Three shared priorities
EUD’s submissions to both files are built around three priorities that apply equally to Erasmus+ and AgoraEU.
Sign language and Deaf culture
EU programmes for the next period should explicitly recognise national sign languages and Deaf cultural heritage. For Erasmus+, this means supporting activities that promote the learning and use of national sign languages as an integral part of Europe’s multilingual and multicultural heritage. For AgoraEU, the same logic applies across the programme’s different strands. In culture, media, and music, Deaf cultural expression such as sign language arts, literature, performing arts, and music, should be explicitly recognised and supported. In journalism and citizens’ rights and civic engagement, deaf people should be active participants, not just beneficiaries: producing their own content, expressing their perspectives, and engaging in civic life on equal terms. These suggestions for amendments are in line with Articles 21 and 30 of the CRPD.
Real accessibility in programme implementation
Both programmes should guarantee accessibility not only in their own operations such as application procedures, Programme Desk and national agency communications, information on funding calls, and support services, but in the projects and activities they fund. Formal access is not enough: deaf participants have repeatedly experienced situations where participation was granted on paper but necessary support, notably sign language interpretation, was absent or inadequate, resulting in superficial involvement rather than real inclusion. EUD’s amendments therefore call for national agencies (under the Erasmus+ programme) to be equipped with a dedicated accessibility budget and trained staff, for evaluation panels to include people with relevant expertise to assess inclusion meaningfully, and for projects prioritised in the grant awarding process to be developed in co-design with organisations representing persons with disabilities, in line with Article 4(3) of the CRPD.
A dedicated, fully-funded inclusion budget line
This is arguably the most concrete and urgent ask in both submissions. Deaf organisations that are beneficiaries routinely face costs for sign language interpretation and accessible formats that mainstream applicants simply do not incur. Under current rules, these costs either fall under co-funding requirements or are squeezed into project lump sums, neither of which works in practice. EUD proposes that both programmes establish a fully-funded inclusion envelope, sitting outside the co-funding scheme and lump sums, available to any applicant as a non-deductible addition to their grant amount. For Erasmus+, EUD specifically highlights that this must apply across all Key Actions, not just learning mobilities, addressing a gap that has been clearly visible throughout the current 2021–2027 programme period.
What comes next
Political group negotiations are now underway on both files following the publication of the respective draft reports, making the coming weeks critical for shaping the final texts. EUD will continue to engage with rapporteurs and shadow rapporteurs across the CULT and LIBE committees as the reports move toward committee and plenary votes later this year, and, ultimately, interinstitutional negotiations with the Council.
EUD Proposed Amendments to the European Parliament Draft Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Erasmus+ programme for the period 2028-2034
EUD Proposed Amendments to the European Parliament Draft Report on the AgoraEU Regulation (Procedure 2025/0550(COD))
Produced by EUD Policy Team – June 2026
For more information, do not hesitate to reach the EUD Policy Team at [email protected]
