independent institutions, media freedom and civil society in candidate countries is necessary if those countries are to meet the Copenhagen Cri­teria and gain entry to the single market. Be­yond EU enlargement, countering foreign influ­ence and disinformation will be crucial to ensure that no undue influence is exerted on electoral processes within EU member states. In addition, the EU needs to counter authoritarian influence and stability in its neighbourhood, as this has serious repercussions for other policy fields, such as migration, security and foreign policy. Lastly, in the current(geo-)political climate, the signalling effect of an EU that commits to de­mocracy is extremely important, also in view of the authoritarian threat, which has been careful­ly thought through and planned for years now. This does not mean that there should be no flexibility in the EU budget. Crisis situations will surely require reallocations of funding, for exam­ple, to counter unforeseen threats and risks to democracy. However, total funding overall – as well as the commitment to support democracy – needs to be upheld and increased. 3. The role of political foundations in EU democracy Political foundations – both national and Euro­pean – are crucial organisations in the demo­cratic ecosystem, both in the EU and abroad. They foster pluralism, bridge the gap between citizens and policymakers, and contribute to democratic participation, civic engagement and citizenship education. They also facilitate poli­cy research, which is essential for evi­dence-based policymaking and ensuring that political parties on the democratic spectrum have access to space for democratic dialogue and qualitative policy advice. Political foundations also have an important role to play abroad because of their interna­tional engagement. 6 They have experience en­gaging with political parties and civil society in the EU’s neighbourhood and globally. They fos­ter democratic dialogue, build institutional ca­pacity and support inclusive political processes in partner countries, all of which are aligned with the EU’s values and foreign policy goals. They operate at arm’s length from government, which facilitates»Track II« diplomacy. Their role has become even more relevant as the United States continues to withdraw from the global stage. Ensuring sufficient local con­tacts and networks, as well as in-depth exper­tise concerning the different world regions is essential for the EU in the current geopolitical context. The work of political foundations also allows the EU to better assess the implications of its policies for external actors and to avoid reputational damage, as well as to better coor­dinate overall EU foreign policy objectives by ensuring closer alignment between EU mem­ber states. While the significance of political foundations has grown in a climate in which support for democracy faces mounting external and inter­nal pressures, the sustainability and scope of their work depend heavily on the funding pri­orities set at the EU level. In this regard, the next Multiannual Financial Framework(MFF) will be essential in reiterating the European Union’s commitment to democratic principles. 4. The MFF proposal 2028–2034 On 16 July 2025, the European Commission un ­veiled its proposal for the next Multiannual Fi­nancial Framework(MFF) for the period 2028 to 2034. Until the end of 2027, the Commission, the Parliament and the Council will negotiate the next EU budget, which will then have to be ap­proved by the European Parliament by absolute majority and by the Council with unanimity. 6  While national political foundations have a wide network of offices and activities abroad, European political foundations face a much more restrictive legal framework and are therefore less established outside of the EU. The role of political foundations in EU democracy 5