Role of the European Commission
The Commission also ensures that EU policies and laws are correctly applied across Member States, negotiates international agreements on behalf of the EU, and allocates funding.
What the European Commission does in budget and funding
The European Commission proposes and implements the EU budget and manages EU funding programmes.The European Commission is responsible for preparing and proposing a draft budget for the European Union as a whole. It bases this on budget guidelines for the coming year and in line with the multiannual financial framework regulation in force.
The multiannual financial framework lays down the maximum annual amounts ('ceilings') which the EU may spend in different political fields over a period of at least 5 years. The present MFF covers seven years: from 2021 to 2027.
The Commission submits the draft budget to the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament for approval on September 1. In keeping with the annual budgetary procedure, agreement on the budget must be reached by December 31.
Setting strategic priorities
The EU’s overall political strategy is developed jointly by its institutions: the European Parliament, European Council, Council of the European Union, and European Commission.
Planning by departments
Commission departments produce strategic and management plans showing how they will contribute to the Commission's priorities and setting clear objectives and indicators for monitoring and reporting.
Developing and implementing policies
EU policies are designed to bring benefits to citizens, businesses and other stakeholders in the EU. Better regulation tools ensure that each new policy is based on evidence and best available practice.
The EU budget
The EU budget is the tool that allows the EU to deliver on its policy priorities and invest in large-scale projects that EU countries could not finance on their own. The EU budget added value in euro.
Reporting
The Commission plans and reports on its work in a yearly cycle known as the strategic planning and programming cycle. The Commission regularly publishes reports resulting from each cycle.
EU funding programmes
A list of the funding programmes implemented through the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework, divided by heading and cluster. The list below provides an overview of the funding opportunities financed by the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework and NextGenerationEU by heading, cluster, and programme or fund (most of the programmes implemented under shared management are called “funds”).
Principal roles in law
The Commission proposes and implements laws which are in keeping with the objectives of the EU treaties. It encourages input from business and citizens in the law-making process and ensures laws are correctly implemented, evaluated and updated when needed.
Evaluating and updating laws
The Commission regularly evaluates whether EU laws have delivered the desired changes to European business and citizens. The findings of an evaluation help the Commission to decide whether EU actions should be continued or changed.
Areas where the EU can pass laws
Every action taken by the EU is founded on the treaties that have been approved democratically by its members. The treaties are binding agreements between EU countries and set out EU objectives, rules for EU institutions, how decisions are made and the relationship between the EU and its members. Treaties are the starting point for EU law.
The EU can only act in those areas where its member countries have authorised it to do so, via the EU treaties. The treaties specify who can pass laws in what areas: the EU, national governments or both.