On 2 December, the European Parliament hosted the seminar “Beyond the numbers: the contribution of Article 17 TFEU to an EU Multiannual Financial Framework grounded in ethics, solidarity and inclusion”. The event explored how the EU’s multiannual budget can be inspired by ethical and inclusive principles, going beyond mere financial dimensions. The role of religious and philosophical organisations in defining fairer and more sustainable policies was discussed, as well as how the EU budget can promote a fairer and more competitive European social model.