Csaba Borboly: The future will not wait – we must begin preparing the next EU cycle now, because those who fail to prepare today will fall behind tomorrow
At the RMDSZ mayors’ meeting in Miercurea Ciuc — attended by Hunor Kelemen, President of RMDSZ, Deputy Prime Minister Barna Tánczos, Minister for Development Attila Cseke, the leadership of Harghita County Council, the county’s mayors, and RMDSZ MPs — Vice President Csaba Borboly delivered a professionally grounded, forward-looking address.
His speech focused on two key areas:
- preparations for the 2028–2034 EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), and
- opportunities in Romanian funding that may open as the economy strengthens.
- MFF – The EU is already preparing the new financial cycle, so preparation must begin NOW
Borboly stressed that preparations for the 2028–2034 EU budget cycle are already underway in Brussels.
If Harghita County wants to be a winner, the work must begin now, in 2025 — not in 2027.
County-level planning must begin by sector:
• agriculture
• youth
• economy
• education
• environmental and nature protection
• infrastructure
• healthcare
• energy
“No one will write our future for us. If we don’t prepare, it will be written in Bucharest — and it will not reflect the interests of our community.”
According to Borboly, officials in MIPE (Ministry of Investments and European Projects) do not know Harghita County’s real needs — therefore planning must be done locally, with mayors and regional stakeholders.
- Minister Attila Cseke confirmed: preparing for EU funds is now the most important task
Responding to the EU-related points in the speech, Minister Attila Cseke emphasised:
• Borboly’s observations are fully justified;
• the planning of the next EU cycle has indeed begun;
• only those counties will succeed which prepare in time and wait for the calls with ready documentation.
The minister underlined that in the coming years the EU will expect:
• large integrated territorial projects,
• well-prepared documentation,
• rapid response capacity.
Borboly added:
“What we prepare now will give us an advantage in 2028. What we fail to prepare will be written by others. We must be ready to start now.”
- Romanian funding – as the economy improves, national programmes may open as well
Borboly highlighted that RMDSZ President Hunor Kelemen confirmed: as Romania’s economy stabilises, national funding sources may become available within a year and a half.
But for this, counties must be ready:
• project documentation must be up to date
• every plan must have an A and B version
• local and regional portfolios must be continuously maintained
• fast reaction will be decisive
“Priorities change every 2–3 years. Whoever does not keep their plans ready will fall behind.”
- The “homework” – county and micro-regional working groups must be restarted
Borboly reminded the audience that:
• the county previously operated several professional working groups,
• some of these have stopped working in recent times,
• restarting them is essential for success in both EU and national funding cycles.
The groups to be reactivated:
• regional development working group
• EU project preparation group
• youth and housing working group
• green transition and energy working group
“You cannot skip the homework. Those who work today will win tomorrow.”
Closing message – the winners of the next period are being decided now
Borboly summarised:
• Those who prepare today will succeed.
• Those who wait will fall behind.
• The key to success is local planning, quick reaction, cooperation, and preparedness.
“The future belongs to those local governments that work for their communities, think ahead, and act in time. The winners of the next EU and national funding period are being decided right now.”
20 October 2025
Miercurea Ciuc