Consultation: 'Do No Significant Harm’ (DNSH) guidance for the next Multiannual Financial Framework

The European Commission has launched the targeted consultation on the approach to apply the ‘do no significant harm’ principle to the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. This consultation will help the Commission prepare, by 1 January 2027, a single and simple guidance on the application of the DNSH principle. In accordance with the Union’s financial rules, this principle applies where feasible and appropriate to programmes and activities funded from the Union budget. This guidance will be part of the Commission’s broader effort to make horizontal principles apply in a more consistent way across the EU budget.

The ‘do no significant harm’ (DNSH) principle defines the environmental and climate conditions EU funds should apply. It means that EU money should not support activities that cause significant harm to the Union’s environmental and climate objectives.  

The DNSH guidance aims to define a clearer, more predictable and more enforceable framework for applying this safeguard across the next MFF. It will replace the current fragmented approach applied under the current budget, which has too often created administrative burden, complexity and legal uncertainty. 

You can find here the context of the concept paper consultation. You can reply to the consultation via EUSurvey.

Please note that the consultation will be open for 9 weeks until the 16 of September.