COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS A Culture Compass for Europe
Date: 2025-11-12
Institutions: Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, European Commission
Subjects: artistic creation, artistic profession, creative industry, cultural cooperation, cultural heritage, cultural pluralism, cultural promotion, culture industry, heritage protection, right to culture

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 12.11.2025  COM(2025) 785 final  COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS A Culture Compass for Europe {SWD(2025) 785 final}  
 
 
A Culture Compass for Europe 

1. Introduction 

Europe  is  a  vibrant  hub  of  cultural  diversity,  renowned  for  its  languages,  cultural  heritage, 
artistic expressions, and creative innovations. Europe has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites 
of cultural, natural or mixed importance than any other region in the world. It is the home of 
linguistic diversity, with more than 24 EU official languages and over 60 regional or minority 
languages. This cultural richness is a testament to Europe’s shared history and memory, and a 
driving  force  shaping  its  future,  fostering  a  European  sense  of  belonging  and  strengthening 
European values, as attested by 87% of citizens who view culture and cultural heritage as key 
to feeling more European1. 

In  Europe,  cultural  diversity  is  celebrated,  safeguarded  and  continuously  reimagined.  It 
provides  fertile  ground  for  artists  and  cultural  professionals  to  create,  innovate  and  push 
boundaries.  Europe’s  cultural  legacy  and  vibrancy  foster  exchange,  dialogue,  and  mutual 
understanding across communities and generations.  

Cultural activities and engagement with Europe’s rich cultural heritage are vital to our European 
way  of  life.  Evidence  shows  that  societies  with higher  cultural  participation  are  more  open, 
tolerant, democratic, and economically robust2, and that cultural consumption is effective in 
countering hate3. Participation in cultural activities is also shown to increase the likelihood to 
vote, volunteer, and participate in community activities4. It contributes to social and territorial 
cohesion  and  resilience,  and  to  better  health  and  well-being.  87%  of  Europeans  agree  that 
participating  in  cultural  activities  or  attending  artistic  events  improves  their  emotional  or 
physical well-being. 

Moreover, Europe’s cultural and creative sectors and industries are key to boost innovation and 
competitiveness,  create  jobs,  promote  sustainable  tourism,  and  make  our  regions  and  cities 
more attractive. The more than 2 million enterprises which make up the cultural and creative 
industries in the EU, generate around EUR 199 billion in value added and employ 7.9 million 
people across Europe5.  

Internationally, Europe’s vibrant cultural landscape is a source of soft power and a reputational 
asset. It facilitates the establishment of mutually beneficial international partnerships, enhances 
global engagement, and supports the EU enlargement process.  

At the same time, culture’s  strategic  importance  for Europe is underestimated  and  yet to be 
fully  valorised.  In  an  era  of  rapid  and  complex  change,  geopolitical  tensions,  foreign 
information  manipulation  and  interference,  antidemocratic  movements,  the  climate  crisis, 
technological  shifts  and  the  digital  transition,  Europe  must  recognise  and  harness  culture’s 
potential to confront these pressing issues.  

Cultural and creative sectors and industries face specific challenges, including threats to artistic 
freedom,  precarious  working  conditions,  inequalities  in  access  to  culture,  rising  global 
competition,  and  AI-related  intellectual  property  rights  issues.  Equally,  by  leveraging  new 

1   Europeans’ attitudes towards culture - May 2025 - Eurobarometer survey 
2   Extended collection of evidence can be found on the study Culture and democracy, the evidence - 

Publications Office of the EU 

3   Idem. 
4   Idem. 
5   Figures for 2024. Source: Culture statistics - cultural employment - Statistics Explained - Eurostat 

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technologies, these sectors can further enhance their creative production and their innovation 
potential, but also the accessibility of culture and audience engagement. 
Despite significant progress over the past years through the European Agendas for Culture6 and 
the  Work  Plans  for  Culture7,  the  EU  still  lacks  a  future-proof  strategic  framework  to 
consistently include and elevate culture’s role in policy making. This is why President von der 
Leyen’s  Political  Guidelines,  “Europe’s  Choice”,  started  by  stressing  the  importance  of 
Europe’s cultural diversity and heritage for Europe’s future. Equally, the European Council’s 
Strategic  Agenda8  recognised  the  need  to  promote  cultural  diversity  and  heritage,  while  the 
European Parliament9, the Council10, and stakeholders have stressed the importance of an EU 
strategic framework for culture. 

In  response  to  these  calls,  the  Commission  presents  a  Culture  Compass  for  Europe, 
establishing a vision and identifying flagship initiatives. Recognising the potential of culture 
to unite, the Compass is also accompanied by a draft Joint Declaration to be agreed by the 
European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. For the EU to thrive, it must place 
culture at the heart of its political vision,  and its social and  economic  strategy.  The  Culture 
Compass will also serve as the strategic anchor for culture within the 2028-2034 Multiannual 
Financial Framework (MFF)11. 

2.  The vision: Europe for Culture, Culture for Europe 

The Culture Compass is designed to make the most of the potential of culture for individuals, 
societies  and  territories,  and  to  ensure  culture  is  central  to  European  unity,  diversity  and 
excellence. It is based on a strategic vision in which Europe stands up for culture and culture 
stands for Europe:  

“Europe for Culture”: Europe’s rich cultural landscape is integral to the Union’s identity 
and  development.  Everyone  has  the  right  to  create  and  participate  in  culture,  to  enjoy  the 
fundamental freedom of artistic expression, and to take part freely in the creation and enjoyment 
of  culture.  The  Culture  Compass  aims  at  embedding  culture  as  a  key  dimension  within  all 
relevant strategies and policies, and their corresponding funding tools. This recognises culture’s 
intrinsic, societal, civic and economic value and its role as a fundamental public good. Through 
tailored policies and investment, the Culture Compass will help the cultural sectors to thrive, 
innovate, and compete globally. While designed to be transversal, it recognises and values the 
specific characteristics of individual cultural sectors. 

“Culture  for  Europe”:  The  EU  will  leverage  Europe’s  rich  cultural  diversity,  cultural 
heritage  and  creativity  to  strengthen  democratic  resilience,  enhance  social,  economic  and 
territorial  cohesion,  boost  people’s  well-being,  and  enhance  Europe’s  competitiveness  and 
innovation  potential.  The  Culture  Compass  aims  at  promoting  and  elevating  culture  as  an 
expression  of  Europe’s  history  and  shared  values,  while  serving  as  a  powerful  catalyst  for 

6   Most recent: Communication from the Commission on A New European Agenda for Culture 

(COM/2018/267) 

7   Most recent: Council Resolution on the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 (2022/C 466/01) 
8   Strategic agenda 2024-2029 
9   European Parliament resolution of 14 December 2022 on the implementation of the New European Agenda 

for Culture and the EU Strategy for International Cultural Relations (2022/2047(INI)) 

10   See footnote 7.  
11   The European Commission’s proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, presented on 16 
July 2025, enables EU funding for culture from several instruments. EUR-Lex - 52025DC0570R(01) - EN - 
EUR-Lex 

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societal resilience. Through culture, the EU can strengthen its role as a global leader in culture 
and creativity, rooted in mutual understanding, with actions anchored in EU values. 

In  line  with  this  vision,  the  Culture  Compass  will  guide  EU  policies  towards  four  key 
directions, supported by horizontal actions to mobilise investment in European culture:  

1)  An EU that upholds and strengthens European values and cultural rights; 
2)  An EU that empowers artists and cultural professionals, and supports people;  
3)  An  EU  that  draws  on  culture  and  cultural  heritage  to  become  more  competitive, 

resilient and cohesive;  

4)  An EU that champions international cultural relations and partnerships.  

The EU will need greater political commitment and new policy tools to deliver on the Culture 
Compass. This is why the Commission will:  

-  Propose an interinstitutional Joint Declaration to be agreed between the European 
Parliament, the Council and the Commission titled ‘Europe for Culture – Culture for 
Europe’, which will outline and reaffirm the political commitment to key principles for 
cultural policy in Europe; 

-  Periodically publish a Report on the State of Culture in the EU to provide insights 
into the European cultural landscape and assess progress regarding the development of 
the cultural and creative ecosystem, including specific emphasis on artistic freedom; 

-  Set up an EU structured dialogue with cultural and creative stakeholders to discuss the 
State of Culture Report and progress on delivering on the key directions of the Culture 
Compass. This dialogue will serve as a platform for exchange, co-creation, and policy 
alignment; 

-  To support the State of Culture Report, establish an EU cultural data hub to collect 
and analyse cultural data and information, monitor trends and developments, and pool 
best practices.12 The Commission will also cooperate with EU Member States and their 
statistical  offices,  as  well  as  with  relevant  international  organisations,  to  continue 
improving EU cultural statistics and support evidence-based policy making.  

3. An EU that upholds and strengthens European values and cultural rights 

Democracy, freedom, diversity and equality are mutually reinforcing values, and the EU and 
its  Member  States  share  responsibility  for  upholding  them.  The  freedom  to  create  and  to 
participate in culture without barriers is enshrined in article 27 of the Universal Declaration of 
Human Rights13 and article 13 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union14. 
These  rights  are  essential  to  help  empower  individuals  and  communities  to  freely  express 
themselves, engage in dialogue, celebrate cultural diversity, advance the arts, preserve cultural 
heritage, and imagine the future. They are core principles of the Culture Compass.  

3.1.  Safeguarding artistic freedom  

Culture and creativity only thrive if freedom of creative expression is ensured. Safeguarding 
this  freedom  must  be  the  cornerstone  of  any  democratic  and  open  society  and  is  a  strong 
indicator  of  a  society’s  democratic  health.  In  the  EU,  protecting  the  freedom  of  artists  and 
cultural  workers  to  create  without  censorship  or  intimidation  and  to  express  their  views  on 

12   Data on the audiovisual sector will continue to be provided by the European Audiovisual Observatory and 

the Commission’s European Media Outlook Report. 
13   Universal Declaration of Human Rights | United Nations 
14   Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union  

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issues of public interest is a collective responsibility. Yet, reports continue to emerge15 alleging 
undue interference which affect the independence of cultural institutions, the use of so-called 
morality laws, censorship or intimidation of artists, and even self-censorship.  

With  democracy  and  civil  society  under  pressure  worldwide,  such  instances  must  be 
documented, closely monitored, and measures must be taken to offer ‘safe havens’ for artists at 
risk, and displaced artists16. Member States and EU institutions should ensure that their policies, 
legal  frameworks  and  administrative  practices  support  free  artistic  creation,  expression  and 
circulation. Europe should act to protect artistic freedom and increase awareness to promote it. 

This  is  why  the  Commission  will  systematically  include  a  specific  focus  on  artists’ 
experiences in relation to artistic freedom in its future report on the State of Culture in the 
EU. It will also help safeguard artistic freedom through current and future EU policies and 
programmes, notably in the proposed future AgoraEU, as part of the next EU long-term budget. 
Safeguarding  artistic freedom is also  a  relevant part  of the  broader democratic  fabric  of our 
societies,  and  the  European  Democracy  Shield  aims  to  protect  and  promote  democracy  and 
societal resilience in the long run. 

3.2.  Promoting cultural and linguistic diversity 

Cultural and linguistic diversity are at the core of the European project and embody the EU’s 
‘United in diversity’ motto. The commitment to preserving this is a pre-requisite of European 
cultural  sovereignty  and  democratic  culture.  This  is  why  the  EU  is  a  signatory  of  the  2005 
UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions17 in its own right. 

The EU actively protects, develops and promotes cultural and linguistic diversity through its 
policies and programmes, and as set out in President von der Leyen’s Political Guidelines, will 
continue to work on safeguarding the rights of persons belonging to minorities in Europe. From 
2021 to 2024, Creative Europe has supported 670 transnational cultural partnerships; 554 films 
were released in cinemas across Europe, with 37.9 million people having accessed European 
audiovisual works from other European countries18.  
The five EU Cultural Prizes19 play an important role in increasing the visibility of Europe’s 
cultural sectors by recognising and promoting their diversity and excellence. To build on this, 
the  Commission  will  propose  a  new  EU  Prize  for  Performing  Arts  to  celebrate  artistic 
excellence  while  strengthening  skills,  market  access  and  professional  networks  across  the 
European performing arts ecosystem.  
Through  the  European  Day  of  Languages20,  the  EU  celebrates  linguistic  diversity  as  an 
embodiment of Europe’s rich cultural heritage and a cornerstone of democracy. The promotion 
of language learning and linguistic diversity is one of the specific objectives of Erasmus+21. 
In the field of culture, audiovisual and emerging media (e.g. video games or extended reality), 
Creative Europe has a legacy of promoting the diversity and circulation of European content 
and widening audiences.  

15   Council of Europe, 2023. Free to Create: Artistic Freedom in Europe 
16   Council conclusions on at-risk and displaced artists 2023/C 185/09  
17   2005 Convention on Diversity of Cultural Expressions | Diversity of Cultural Expressions 
18   The programme’s Media strand has also supported the development of more than 300 games or immersive 

content titles, many of which received prestigious awards. 

19   Funded under Creative Europe’s Culture Strand: European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards; Music 

Moves Europe Talent Awards, the EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award, the 
EU Prize for Literature, and the recent Simone Veil Prize – an EU prize for Jewish Cultural Heritage. 

20   European Day of Languages | European Commission, a joint initiative with the Council of Europe. 
21   Examples of projects supporting regional and minority languages: compilation of projects co-funded by the 

Erasmus+ Programme and Creative Europe. 

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Actively  promoting  content  online  ’Made  in  Europe’  is  essential  for  digital  audiences  to 
discover and appreciate its richness and diversity. Significant progress has been made through 
regulatory  and  policy  measures.  For  example,  the  2018  revision  of  the Audiovisual  Media 
Services  Directive  (AVMSD)22  strengthened  the  visibility  and  prominence  of  European 
audiovisual content on ‘video on demand’ (VOD), securing at least a 30% share of European 
works in their catalogues, and requiring broadcasters to secure a majority proportion of their 
transmission time for European works. Harnessing big data and artificial intelligence (AI) can 
further  boost  the  discoverability  of  diverse  European  content,  as  outlined  in  the Apply AI 
Strategy23.  

Moreover, Horizon Europe-funded research and innovation are strengthening the cultural and 
creative sectors’ resilience, driving sustainable growth, and using technology and collaboration 
to preserve and enrich Europe’s cultural and linguistic diversity. 

The Commission will continue safeguarding and enhancing Europe’s rich array of cultural and 
linguistic expressions. It will harness the full potential of research, innovation and technology 
to support this. It will deepen research and support investment on discoverability of diverse 
online cultural content created in Europe, following the publication of the study on the same 
topic24,  to  foster  its  consumption  within  and  outside  the  EU,  with  a  special  focus  on  online 
European music and literary content. 

3.3.  Widening participation in and access to culture 

Cultural participation and access to cultural activities are essential to promote active citizenship, 
and are a fundamental pillar of any democratic and inclusive society.  

Some  Member  States  have  already  introduced  Culture  passes  designed  to  enhance  cultural 
access, especially  for  young people. EU funding,  notably under  Creative Europe, has also 
promoted access to culture in various ways, for instance, by supporting Cinema passes in 
theatres belonging to the Europa cinemas network in several EU countries through the MEDIA 
strand. Initiatives such as the European Heritage Days25 or the DiscoverEU Culture Route26 
have expanded opportunities to explore Europe’s vast cultural heritage.  

However, there is progress still to be made. 51% of Europeans did not engage in any artistic 
activities, either individually or as part of a group, within the last 12 months27,28. This is why 
the Commission will further enhance young people’s access to cultural heritage across Europe 
by  (i)  establishing  a  voluntary  framework  for  the  mutual  recognition  of  culture  and 
cultural  heritage  passes  for  young  people  issued  at  national  level,  (ii)  promoting  the 
DiscoverEU  Culture  Route  among  young  people,  and  (iii)  increasing  the  cultural  offer 
within the existing EU youth discount card under Erasmus+. 

There are a number of other factors that affect participation, from socio-economic status, to 
disability, ethnicity, gender, age, and geographic location29. To broaden and improve the quality 
of participation in culture, the EU and its Member States should assess how policies, such as 
those related to science, health, environment, education, training and social cohesion can foster 
engagement in culture. Europe will continue leading the way and creating equal opportunities 

22   Directive (EU) 2018/1808 
23   COM(2025) 723 
24   Study referred to in the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 (OJ C466, 7.12.2022).  
25   European Heritage Days | European Heritage Days, co-funded by the EU and the Council of Europe. 
26   The DiscoverEU Culture Route | European Youth Portal inspires young people to tailor their travel according 

to culture and cultural heritage sites. DiscoverEU is funded under Erasmus+. 

27   Culture statistics - cultural participation - Statistics Explained - Eurostat 
28   Europeans’ attitudes towards culture - May 2025 - Eurobarometer survey 
29   Culture statistics - cultural participation - Statistics Explained - Eurostat 

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through sustained investment, and inclusive and accessible design of cultural infrastructure and 
programmes. In this spirit, the Commission will prepare a Report to support Member States in 
increasing the participation of and support to persons with disabilities in culture. 

4. An  EU  that  empowers  artists  and  cultural  professionals,  and  supports 

people  

Cultural life flourishes when societies create the conditions that allow individuals and artists to 
experiment and push boundaries. This requires fair working conditions for artists and cultural 
professionals, safe working environments free of violence of any kind, and adequate education, 
training  and  skills.  At  the  same  time,  it  is  essential  to  address  the  realities  faced  by  young 
people, including emerging artists, to build a culturally rich Europe that truly values its people. 
The  EU  must  promote  arts  education,  and  inclusive  and  safe  access  to  culture  for  children, 
young people and under-represented groups. 

4.1.  Ensuring decent working conditions 

Many cultural workers continue to encounter difficulties in benefiting from equivalent rights 
and protections in practice.  

In 2024, there were 7.9 million people employed in the cultural and creative sectors across the 
EU, representing 3.8% of EU total employment. However, there is a great level of variety in 
workforce  composition  and  employment  types30.  Freelance  work  and  self-employment  are 
more common than in other sectors, with almost one-third of cultural workers across the EU 
being  self-employed,  more  than  double  the  overall  EU  average31.  The  duration  of  work 
contracts tends to be shorter and less stable compared to those in more traditional employment 
sectors. The proportion of those who enjoy a permanent contract is 15.2 percentage points lower 
than the general labour market32. Artists and writers are also less likely to have just one job33 
and  over  half  of  audiovisual  creators  (directors,  screenwriters,  etc.)  experience  long  periods 
without  paid  work34.  Available  data  and  inspection  findings  show  significant  levels  of 
undeclared work in the sectors35.  
The working conditions in the field of culture are often precarious  36, and artists and cultural 
professionals  are  often  excluded  from  or  only  partially  covered  by  social  protection.  Poor 
working  conditions  are  also  among  the  factors  that  have  negative  impacts  on  professionals’ 
mental health. Professionals with disabilities continue to face numerous barriers that prevent 
them  from  developing  their  work  on  an  equal  footing  with  others.  The  cultural  sectors  also 
exhibit a persisting gender gap in earnings, with a higher share of women than men earning low 
wages37. 

In  the  past  years,  important  developments  took  place  in  the  Member  States  with  several 
countries adopting artists’ status legislation or other specific measures to support artists, such 

30   Culture statistics - cultural employment - Statistics Explained - Eurostat 
31   Idem. 
32   Idem. 
33   Idem. 
34   The status of artists and cultural and creative professionals in Europe - European Audiovisual Observatory 
35   Employment characteristics and undeclared work in the cultural and creative sectors - European Labour 

Authority 

36   According to a survey carried out by Panteia in 2024, 68% of artists and CCS professionals surveyed have 
more than one job, and 71% lack access to sufficient social protection; in particular freelance and self-
employed artists. 

37   Data for 2022. According to Eurostat data, in 2022, while the EU registered the lowest gender gap in cultural 
employment in the last decade, this balance is not reflected in earnings. Culture statistics - gender equality - 
Statistics Explained - Eurostat 

6 

 
 
as  developing  policies  and  charters  on  their  pay  and  working  conditions.  At  EU  level,  the 
Commission  supported  different  studies,  expert  groups  and  workshops  with  the  active 
engagement  of  Member  States38,  involving  the  culture  side  as  well  as  the  employment  and 
social affairs side, stakeholders, social partners, and the European Parliament39. 

It  is  important  to  step  up  action  at  EU  level  to  improve  artists’  working  conditions.  The 
Commission  will  propose  an  EU  Artists  Charter,  to  outline  fundamental  principles, 
guidance,  and  commitments  for  fair  working  conditions  in  the  sectors,  and  increase 
compliance  and  accountability,  particularly  by  recipients  of  EU  funding  for  culture.  It  will 
organise an EU high-level exchange with stakeholders and social partners, and the outcomes 
will also contribute to the design of the charter.  

In addition, to improve artists’ working conditions, they must have a clear understanding of 
their rights, including the legal and contractual frameworks governing their work. To this effect, 
the  Commission  supported  the  launch  of  the  ‘This  Is  How  We  Work’  online  tool  on  the 
Creatives Unite platform which offers insights into legal and policy frameworks that shape 
artists'  status,  social  security,  and  labour  relations40.  It  will  also  partner  with  the  Creators 
Learn  Intellectual  Property  initiative,  developed  by  the  World  Intellectual  Property 
Organization, which offers support to creative professionals on intellectual property issues.  

4.2.  Facilitating cross-border mobility in culture 

Cross-border collaboration and mobility are central both to artists’ careers and to developing a 
European cultural space fostering connections and dialogue between creative professionals and 
with citizens. It also serves as a catalyst for competitiveness and accessing new markets, allows 
cultural and creative works to circulate more freely across borders and reach wider audiences, 
and stimulates growth and scale of Europe’s creative economy.  

Support for cross-border cooperation has been at the heart of Creative Europe with over 22 000 
professionals gaining international experience from 2014-2020. With the launch of the Culture 
Moves Europe mobility scheme41, mobility opportunities have expanded. From 2022 to 2025, 
the scheme already supported over 6 000 artists and cultural professionals from 40 countries, 
and created more than 280 artist residencies that welcomed over 1 000 individual artists.  

However,  several  barriers  continue  to  limit  the  full  realisation  of  these  benefits.  Cultural 
organisations, artists and professionals face costly administrative challenges that hinder cross-
border  mobility.  For  instance,  artists  wishing  to  tour  across  Europe  must  navigate  obstacles 
stemming from rules related to varying employment and social security provisions, potential 
double taxation, and the complexities  of cross-border provision  of services.  Visas  and work 
permits for non-EU nationals, often pose further hindrances to circulation and raises costs. 

With the upcoming Fair Labour Mobility Package, the Commission will propose initiatives 
that will modernise, simplify and digitalise the rules and procedures in labour mobility and free 
movement. These initiatives, such as the European Social Security Pass, will directly benefit 
those participating in cross-border mobility in culture. Sustained EU investment in mobility 
is essential, including enhancing support for Culture Moves Europe.   

38   The status and working conditions of artists and cultural and creative professionals - Publications Office of 

the EU; Mapping cultural and creative sector working conditions in the EU 

39   The European Parliament has been a main advocate for an EU framework for the social and professional 

situation of artists and workers in the cultural and creative sectors C/2024/4208. 

40   This is how we work - Mapping cultural and creative sector working conditions in the EU (creativesunite.eu) 
41   Culture Moves Europe - Culture and Creativity 

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4.3.  Giving youth a voice within cultural governance structures while nurturing young 

and emerging talent 

Young  people  play  a  crucial  role  in  shaping  present  and  future  culture.  Their  viewpoints 
challenge traditional practices and expand the horizons of artistic expression, essential for the 
evolution and renewal of creativity.   

Young people must be recognised as integral members of the cultural community. Investment 
in  youth-led  and  community-owned  creative  spaces  should  be  a  major  part  of  strategies  to 
develop  cultural  infrastructure.  Giving  young  people  a  substantial  role  in  policymaking 
processes empowers them to assert their cultural rights. 

The Commission will continue to support meaningful youth participation in EU policymaking 
through  its  established  instruments.  In  addition,  it  will  establish  a  Youth  Cultural 
Ambassadors  network 
the  upcoming 
Intergenerational  Fairness  Strategy,  the  Commission  plans  -  through  heritage  and 
linguistic preservation and culture-led innovation - to promote intergenerational learning. 

to  discuss  culture  policy  matters.  Through 

Cultural policymaking across Europe should also focus more on young and emerging artists 
and  young  cultural  professionals.  The  Commission  will  continue  to  support  and  encourage 
targeted approaches, including through the Platform scheme under Creative Europe’s culture 
strand, and dedicated internship programmes under Erasmus+. 

4.4.  Providing culture and arts education 

Culture  and  education  are  deeply  interlinked.  Educational  engagement  is  fundamental  for 
cultural institutions, and the arts play an essential role in education and human development 
from an early age42. Integrating culture and arts education into formal, non-formal and informal 
education and training - as core components - cultivates a sense of agency, enhances creative 
expression, academic attainment, critical thinking, and well-being of learners. Erasmus+ has 
promoted  numerous  projects  on  culture  and  arts  education,  including  cooperation  with 
museums and libraries.  

Participation  in  cultural  activities  is  closely  linked  to  civic  engagement  and  helps  people 
develop  confidence,  empathy,  tolerance  and  communication  skills.  The  Commission  will 
develop  a  peer-learning  project  to  strengthen  pupils’  civic  engagement  and  sense  of 
democratic citizenship through culture, both within and around schools. 

Formal education and lifelong learning should leverage culture to develop essential creative 
skills, including skills critical for the EU to close the innovation gap and prepare young people 
for a rapidly changing economy and the future job market. Arts education and training can also 
create  wider  ripple  effects  by  inspiring  schools  and  families  to  visit  cultural  institutions, 
museums, theatres, and libraries and to use them as creative learning spaces. However, arts and 
cultural  education  at  school  often  has  low  status,  is  insufficiently  resourced,  located  at  the 
periphery of policy in some Member States, and frequently cut in times of budget constraints.  

The provision of arts and cultural education must be strengthened and its quality improved. The 
Commission  will  promote  stronger  cross-sector  cooperation  between  culture  and 
education policies. It will foster partnerships among artists, cultural institutions, community 
cultural  organisations,  schools  and  non-formal  education  providers,  and  it  will  encourage 
grassroots arts and cultural education projects.  

42   Council Recommendation on blended learning approaches for high-quality and inclusive primary and 

secondary education (2021/C 504/03) 

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Through  its  Union  of  Skills,  the  Commission  is  tackling  the  significant  decline  in  book 
reading.  It  will  leverage  on  recent  Member  States’  expert  work  and  on  reading  promotion 
initiatives  like  the  European  Authors  Day43,  also  capitalising  on  the  important  role  of 
libraries  and  using  their  expertise.  The  EU  Literacy  Coalition,  announced  for  2026,  will 
contribute to this crucial objective.44  

4.5.  Enhancing health and well-being through culture 

Cultural practices enhance individual, community and societal health, well-being and quality 
of  life.  Integrating  culture  and  health  initiatives  has  proven  effective  in  strengthening 
community bonds, emotional and physical resilience, boosting mental health, and combating 
loneliness45, which can help address children’s and youth’s mental health challenges.  
The  Commission’s  2023  comprehensive  approach  to  mental  health46  took  a  first  step  by 
recognising  that  arts  and  culture  policies  improve  individual  and  societal  mental  health  and 
well-being,  and  support  mental  health  resilience.  It  identified  social  prescribing  of  cultural 
activities in primary care settings as one innovative approach in this regard. EU funded projects 
on  this  topic  have  provided  further  knowledge47,  identified  best  practices,  and  helped  raise 
public awareness.  
The 2025 policy recommendations by EU Member States’ culture and health experts48 called 
for  bold  measures  like  establishing  cross-sectoral  strategies,  securing  sustainable  funding  to 
advancing  research  and  ensuring  equitable  access.  The  Commission,  with  the  support  of 
experts, will develop EU guidelines on culture, health and well-being for policy makers and 
stakeholders. It will also continue encouraging regular exchanges of good practices in this field, 
supporting cross-border collaboration through Creative Europe.  

5. An EU that draws on culture and cultural heritage to be more competitive, 

resilient and cohesive  

The cultural and creative sectors and industries are among Europe’s most dynamic economic 
sectors  boosting  innovation  and  competitiveness,  creating  jobs,  and  improving  the 
attractiveness of our cities and regions. Digital tech start-ups are very active in the cultural and 
creative industries49. Culture also generates important growth spillovers in other sectors. For 
instance, cultural tourism accounts for 40% of all European tourism50.  

Europe’s  cultural  and  creative  production  still  has  untapped  potential  both  within  the  EU’s 
Single  Market  and  globally.  To  harness  their  potential  and  contribution  to  the  EU 
competitiveness, the cultural and creative sectors and industries must be supported throughout 
the transitions they face. This must be done in a way that ensures the promotion of diversity, 

43   European Authors Day - Culture and Creativity 
44   The European Literacy Coalition was announced in the Action Plan on Basic Skills, European Commission, 

March 2025.  

45   What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review, WHO, 

2019. 

46   A comprehensive approach to mental health - European Commission 
47   Like the CultureForHealth project. 
48   European Commission: Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, Culture and health – 
Time to act, Publications Office of the European Union, 2025, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/0432398 
49   Of all industrial ecosystems, the cultural and creative industries attract one of the highest shares of tech start-

ups, together with health and mobility. More info: European Commission, ‘Annual Single Market and 
Competitiveness Report’, 2024 

50   United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO, ‘Report on Tourism and Culture Synergies’, 2018. 
Furthermore, in a 2021 report, according to (UNWTO), locations featured in popular film or television  
productions experience an average rise of 25% to 40% in visitors’ arrivals. 

9 

 
 
the  protection  of  creators’  rights,  the  upholding  of  adequate  ethical  standards,  and  the 
safeguarding of cultural heritage, including digital heritage. 

In  addition  to  transversal  measures  applicable  across  sectors,  individual  sectors  encounter 
specific challenges and needs that the Commission will continue to address through sectoral 
initiatives,  proven  cooperation  formats51,  and  funding  streams52  that  are  consistent  with 
overarching policy goals.  

5.1.  Harnessing digital tech and AI in the cultural and creative sectors and industries  

Cultural  and  creative  sectors  and  industries  are  benefitting  from  and  being  transformed  by 
digital  technologies.  AI  in  particular  is  changing  the  way  culture  is  created,  accessed,  and 
experienced.  It offers new  opportunities for innovation and  audience engagement,  including 
supporting cultural heritage through restoration, reconstruction, preservation, adaptive reuse for 
virtual  productions,  and  enhanced  user  engagement.  At  the  same  time,  AI  also  raises  new 
challenges,  notably  concerning  copyright  and  the  unauthorised  use  of  copyright  protected 
content in the training of generative AI models, ethical use, cultural diversity, job displacement, 
fair  remuneration  of  creators  and  skills  needs.  Additionally,  attention  to  issues  like  the 
proliferation of AI-generated content, access to data and funding, and dependency on non-EU 
technology is crucial. AI uptake across the cultural and creative sectors remains uneven53, also 
raising the need of cultivating advanced skills. 

A forward-looking and enabling regulatory environment is essential for Europe’s cultural and 
creative  sectors  and  industries.  The  EU  has  been  developing  a  regulatory  framework54  that 
supports  creators  and  other  sectoral  players  investing  in  creation  and  creative  talents  by 
protecting creative content, supporting fair remuneration, and setting standards for trustworthy 
and human-centric AI.  
The  2019  Directive  on  copyright  in  the  Digital  Single  Market55  contributes  to  support 
innovation while allowing creators to control the use of their content. The AI Act aims to ensure, 
among  other  things,  AI  development  and  deployment  that  respects  creators’  rights,  in 
compliance  with  the  copyright  directive.  The  Commission  will  continue  to  facilitate  the 
implementation of the AI Act’s copyright-related aspects, and transparency requirements for 
AI  generated  content  as  well  as  the  effective  implementation  of  the  text  and  data  mining 
exceptions56.  A  clear  EU  positioning  on  the  application  of  international  rules  for  royalty 
payments is also needed.  

51   For example, the Expert group on cultural heritage, The European Film Forum or the Music Moves Europe 

initiative.   

52   For example, Creative Europe’s Media strand covering the audiovisual sector or targeted funding provided to 

the Performing Arts (Perform Europe) under Creative Europe’s Culture strand. 

53   51%  of  video  game  companies,  39%  of  audiovisual  companies,  and  35%  of  news  media  companies  have 
adopted  AI-based  solutions. The  2025  European  Media  Industry  Outlook  report  |  Shaping  Europe’s  digital 
future. 

54   This includes notably Directive (EU) 2019/790, Directive (EU) 2018/1808, Regulation (EU) 2022/2065, 

Regulation (EU) 2022/1925, Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 and Regulation (EU) 2024/1083 

55   Directive (EU) 2019/790 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on copyright and 

related rights in the Digital Single Market and amending Directives 96/9/EC and 2001/29/EC. 

56   The Commission has facilitated the drawing-up of a Code of Practice to detail General-Purpose AI (GPAI) 

rules which was approved as adequate for providers to rely on to demonstrate compliance with their 
obligation under the AI Act. It also adopted a template for GPAI model providers to summarise content used 
to train their models. A study on the feasibility of a registry of opt-outs under the Text and Data Mining 
(TDM) exception is ongoing and another study is planned to help assess the rules in the Directive on 
copyright in the digital single market, including the TDM exception. Furthermore, the Commission has 
launched a process to draw-up a new Code of Practice for the transparency of AI generated content in line 
with Article 50 AI Act. 

10 

 
 
The Apply AI Strategy57 will support the uptake of AI in the cultural, creative and media sectors 
for  specific  use  cases,  such  as  virtual  production,  interactive  and  immersive  media,  the 
discoverability of cultural content (particularly music and literacy content), and 3D digital twins 
of cultural sites and artifacts. The Apply AI Strategy also announces the launch of a study on 
legal  challenges  related  to  AI-generated  outputs  and  technological  solutions  to  prevent  and 
mitigate the risks of copyright infringing AI content. In addition, the Commission will review 
the  2019  DSM  Copyright  Directive  and  continue  to  monitor  market  and  technological 
developments and will examine the possible need for further improvements of the copyright 
legal framework to address the challenges raised by market and technological developments. 

To support this work, the Commission plans to develop a new AI strategy for cultural and 
creative sectors, and take their specific needs into account in its future digital policies so that 
Europe  is  able  to  leverage  its  cultural  richness  and  human  creativity  in  tandem  with 
technological advances. 

Digital education, literacy and skills are essential to engage critically and creatively with digital 
cultural  environments.  The  Union  of  Skills  consolidates  the  central  role  of  education  and 
training in enhancing the EU’s competitiveness and sovereignty. Building on the achievements 
of the Digital Education Action Plan, a 2030 Roadmap on the future of digital education and 
skills  will  contribute  to  broadening  and  deepening  digital  skills  for  creativity,  immersive 
experiences and artistic innovation, digitisation, media literacy, cybersecurity awareness, and 
multilingual  digital  access.  The  Commission  will  provide  access  to  practical  AI  literacy 
trainings and support the training of multidisciplinary profiles for more digital-intense sectors 
in need of AI sectoral talent, including the cultural, creative and media sectors.  

Harnessing the digital transformation also entails further unlocking the innovative potential of 
the cultural sectors, notably through EU projects funded through Horizon Europe or the work 
of higher education institutions in bridging knowledge gaps and promoting entrepreneurship. 

5.2.  Promoting culture-led regional, territorial and local development 

Cultural  opportunities  and  infrastructure  must  be  available  equitably  across  Member  States, 
regions and territories, including in peripheral, rural, islands, coastal and remote areas, and the 
EU  outermost  regions,  that  face  challenges  like  depopulation,  ageing  demographics, 
geographical barriers, and fewer and poorer services. However, some 38% of Europeans in rural 
areas view distance from cultural venues as a barrier to access58.  

Addressing these gaps is essential to fully unlock culture’s societal potential and supporting the 
effective  right  to  stay.  This  requires  cultural  policies  and  investment  measures  that  are 
embedded in broader integrated territorial development plans and specifically tailored to 
local  needs.  Cultural  tourism  also  plays  a  crucial  role  in  preserving  and  promoting 
Europe’s cultural heritage.  

In this regard, EU Cohesion Policy has a central role. From 2021 to 2027, more than EUR 5 
billion has been allocated to direct investments in culture and cultural heritage across regions 
and  territories,  supporting  over  24000  culture,  cultural  heritage  and  tourism  sites59. 
Complementing this, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) also provides support to culture 
in rural areas. This support helps strengthen the role of culture in socio-economic and territorial 

57   COM(2025) 723 final. 
58   Special Eurobarometer 562 on Europeans’ attitudes towards culture 
59   Data on EU allocations for culture and cultural heritage under the European Regional Development Fund 

(including under its European Territorial Cooperation - Interreg strand) was extracted on 8 September 2025. 
The figures only reflect the direct allocations. 

11 

 
 
development. The Commission continues encouraging work to ensure further progress in this 
field in collaboration with national, regional and local authorities, and relevant stakeholders.  
Looking  ahead,  the  EU  Sustainable  Tourism  Strategy60  will  further  promote  sustainable 
cultural  tourism  as  a  catalyst  for  heritage  protection,  social  cohesion,  environmental 
sustainability, and economic competitiveness across Europe. Additionally, the Commission is 
working  on  developing  a  peer-learning  project  to  expand  opportunities  for  cultural  and 
creative  professionals  in  rural  areas,  with  the goal  of  enhancing  regional  attractiveness 
and retaining young people. Furthermore, the New European Bauhaus Facility 2025-2027 
will  also  fund  projects  aiming  to  revitalise  neighbourhoods  through  sustainable,  inclusive 
and quality design. 

The revitalising role of culture is equally evident in urban contexts. Over the past 40 years, the 
European Capitals of Culture (ECoC)61 has successfully stimulated the cultural offer in host 
cities.  This  has  enhanced  cultural  vibrancy,  fuelled  economic  growth,  and  strengthened 
community  ties  in  cities  across  Europe.  Building  on  this  success,  the  Commission  remains 
committed to advancing the initiative and will propose a new legal base to continue the action 
and strengthen ECoC beyond 2033. 

5.3.  Safeguarding,  protecting  and  promoting  cultural  heritage,  while  strengthening 

cohesion and resilience 

Promoting, preserving and protecting cultural heritage, including its digital dimension, remains 
a  core  priority  of  EU  policy  making  and  funding,  supported  through  initiatives  such  as  the 
European Heritage Label, the European Heritage Days, the European Heritage Awards/Europa 
Nostra  Awards,  and  the  European  Heritage  Hub.  Building  on  these  achievements,  the 
Commission will renew and strengthen the European Heritage Label to ensure its continued 
relevance.  

The  Commission  supports  the  digitisation  and  digital  transformation  of  the  cultural 
heritage sector through initiatives like Europeana, which now includes over 65 million digital 
items62, and the Cultural Heritage Cloud63 or the Common European Data Space for Cultural 
Heritage64.  These  actions  improve  access  to  high-quality  data  (including  3D),  foster  reuse 
across  sectors,  and  accelerate  the  uptake  of  emerging  technologies  through  training  and 
upskilling opportunities. The Commission will continue its supportive actions in this field. 

Heritage faces multiple risks: human-made disasters, such as armed conflicts, climate change 
and environmental degradation, and natural hazards65, as demonstrated by the Russian war of 
aggression  against  Ukraine,  recent  wildfires,  earthquakes  and  floods  across  Europe.  It  is 
therefore  urgent  to  create  and  implement  crisis  preparedness  and  risk  management  plans, 
cooperation mechanisms and procedures in the field of culture and heritage. 
In line with the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 and the EU Preparedness union strategy66, 
the EU is enhancing cooperation and preparedness through mechanisms such as the EU Civil 

60   EU tourism strategy 
61   European Capitals of Culture - Culture and Creativity 
62   Metis Statistics Dashboard 
63   The Cultural Heritage Cloud - European Commission  
64   The Common European Data Space for Cultural Heritage 
65   Council Conclusions on EU Approach to Cultural Heritage in conflicts and crisis and Council Conclusions 

on risk management in the area of cultural heritage 2020/C 186/01 

66   Preparedness - European Commission 

12 

 
 
Protection  Mechanism  and  initiatives  such  as  PROCULTHER67,  and  the  ICCROM-led68 
READY project69 which strengthen Member States’ capacities to effectively manage the risks 
for heritage of disasters, climate-related extreme events and conflicts. Groundbreaking research 
is being supported in this area through the Horizon Europe Programme, and the Commission 
has accumulated practical experience while supporting Ukraine’s cultural heritage and artists. 
The Commission will continue collaborating with Member States to ensure the preservation 
and continued access to valuable digital heritage (including digital-born heritage) in the face of 
risks and improving the  preservation of digital  cultural heritage outside  national borders, of 
increasing importance in the face of increased natural, cyber and other threats. 

Combating  trafficking  in  cultural  goods  is  also  central  to  protecting  cultural  heritage  and 
collective memory. Crimes such as theft, illegal excavation, looting and forgery, have a direct 
impact on communities’ identities, cohesion and resilience, particularly in crisis and conflict 
zones,  and  can  be  lucrative  for  organised  crime,  some  conflict  parties  or  terrorists.  Cultural 
goods can be attractive for related crimes such as money laundering, sanctions or tax evasion, 
putting them at risk.  
The  EU  Action  Plan  against  Trafficking  in  Cultural  Goods70,  the  EU  regulation  on  the 
introduction  and  the  import  of  cultural  goods71,  the  anti-money  laundering  directive72  and 
several EU-funded research projects73 have provided a solid framework for ongoing and future 
coordinated  action  in  this  field.  The  Commission  also  collaborates  with  the  International 
Council of Museums on prevention, research, investigation and museum security, including the 
refurbishment  of  its  International  Observatory  on  Illicit  Traffic  in  Cultural  Goods,  and 
established  dialogue  with  the  art  market  to  exchange  information  and  promote  ethical 
practices74.  

Going forward, the Commission will continue supporting the improvement of traceability of 
cultural goods, supporting due diligence and the employment of innovative technologies, and 
mobilise all stakeholders to better protect cultural heritage and fight heritage related crimes. 

5.4.  Creative pathways addressing climate change and environmental sustainability 

The cultural sectors should be further mobilised to drive climate and biodiversity action, while 
cultural actors should be empowered to lead the green transition. The Commission will keep 
promoting  the  dialogue  between  cultural  and  environmental  stakeholders,  including  by 
organising a workshop on the role of culture and the arts for sustainable living. 

Promoting a shared culture of  architecture  and design and investing in  a  high-quality  living 
environment  for  everyone  through  initiatives  like  the  New  European  Bauhaus  remains 
important. To harness the transformative power of arts and culture for creativity and innovation, 
the  Commission  will  adopt  a  Communication  and  a  proposal  for  a  Council 
Recommendation on the future of the NEB and will seek to further support culture through 
related initiatives.  

67   PROCULTHER – Protecting Cultural Heritage from the Consequences of Disasters 
68   ICCROM stands for International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural 

Property. 

69   READY- Resilience for Heritage in the Face of Disasters, Climate Risks and Complex Emergencies 
70   COM(2022) 800 Communication from the Commission on the EU Action Plan against Trafficking in 

Cultural Goods 

71   Regulation (EU) 2019/880  
72   Directive (EU) 2024/1640  
73   Innovations for combatting trafficking in cultural goods - Publications Office of the EU 
74   Subgroup on Art Market (E03650/2) - Register of Commission expert groups and other similar entities 

13 

 
 
The cultural sectors need to tackle issues such as energy efficiency, which in the case of heritage 
should be balanced with respect for its integrity. Practical tools and initiatives should be further 
promoted,  such  as  the  MEDIA  carbon  calculator  for  European  audiovisual  productions 
currently  developed  with  support  from  Creative  Europe’s  MEDIA  strand75  or  the  Go  Green 
Project for heritage conservation, funded by Horizon Europe76.  

Building  on  the  progress  made,  EU  support  for  the  cultural  sectors’  greening  efforts  will 
continue. One example is the planned launch of an ambitious new European R&I Partnership 
for Resilient Cultural Heritage, co-funded by Horizon Europe and complementing a cluster 
of ongoing R&I actions. This will invest in research and innovation to enhance the preservation 
of Europe’s cultural heritage and to contribute to climate neutrality by advancing traditional 
and innovative practices, techniques and materials identified through cultural heritage research. 
The Commission will also continue advocating for the full integration of culture and cultural 
heritage  in  the  international  climate  adaptation  agenda  through  relevant  coordination 
mechanisms and international fora.  

6. An EU that champions international cultural relations and partnerships  

Preserving peace, preventing conflicts, and strengthening international security are part of the 
Union’s raison d’être and one of its key external action objectives. Culture contributes to these 
efforts as an  enabler of peace, a  catalyst for sustainable development, and a bridge between 
people.  

In  the  current  fragile  geopolitical  landscape,  with  foreign  information  manipulation  and 
interference, culture is increasingly becoming a strategic domain of influence. On the global 
scale, some countries are actively using culture to shape perceptions and identities to legitimise 
political objectives. To remain resilient and credible, the EU must acknowledge and respond to 
this reality by reinforcing its value-driven approach in its international  cultural relations, by 
leveraging its own rich cultural diversity as a strategic asset that strengthens external action, 
fosters societal resilience, stability, reconciliation and contributes to our collective security. 
There  is  growing  expectation  from  the  EU’s  Member  States,  partners,  and  international 
organisations for the EU to act with greater consistency and ambition in the cultural field on 
the global stage and in multilateral contexts. The EU’s added value lies in being more than the 
sum of its parts, as is also demonstrated by its presence in major cultural and public diplomacy 
events in partner countries. 

6.1.  Embedding culture strategically in EU external action 

By developing the external dimension of the Culture Compass, the EU can protect and promote 
cultural  diversity,  strengthen  its  global  role,  and  deliver  tangible  benefits  for  societies 
worldwide. Achieving this requires political will, coordinated action, and a shared commitment 
to making culture an integral part of and strategic resource for Europe’s engagement with the 
world. The EU Delegations have an important role in this regard.  

Drawing from experiences such as the ‘Team Europe for Cultural Heritage in Ukraine’ package 
and the Team Europe approach on ‘Strengthening African-European Museum Partnerships’, 
these  models  should  be  applied  more  systematically,  including  in  regions  facing  natural 
disasters,  armed  conflict,  or  economic  instability.  The  Cultural  Relations  Platform  (CRP) 
introduced a renewed approach by putting engagement at its core, based on co-owned dialogue, 
co-creation and sustainable partnerships. The European Spaces of Culture project has shown 

75   A common carbon emissions calculator for the European audiovisual sector: towards an environmentally 

conscious future. 
76   GoGreen project 

14 

 
 
that  co-created,  locally  rooted  cultural  initiatives  can  strengthen  mutual  understanding  and 
generate lasting impact. To sustain these efforts, the Commission will launch a new phase of 
the CRP globally. It will also continue its close cooperation with the EU National Institutes 
for Culture network to further international cultural relations. 

For the value of culture to be recognised as a key strategic pillar of EU external action, the EU 
will reinforce the systematic and strategic integration of culture into its external policies and 
programmes, including through its Global Gateway strategy. Relevant instruments, such as the 
NDICI-Global Europe77 should be mobilised consistently.  

To maximise impact, international cultural relations policies and actions should enhance and 
encourage cross-sectoral collaboration between culture and foreign affairs at local, regional and 
national levels, and with stakeholders. Multi-level and cross-sectoral collaboration ensure that 
cultural action reflects both policy priorities and the needs of communities on the ground. In 
this spirit, the Commission and HRVP will propose to update the EU Strategy on international 
cultural relations (2016 Joint Communication78).  

6.2.  Scaling up cultural cooperation in enlargement and integration processes, as well 

as in relations with neighbouring countries and regions 

Cultural  cooperation  plays  a  vital  role  in  bringing  EU  candidate  countries  and  potential 
candidates  closer  to  the  EU.  Aligning  their  cultural  policies  with  EU  standards,  fostering 
professional  exchanges, and preserving  and contributing to cultural diversity, can help them 
strengthen their integration pathways. EU programmes such as Creative Europe, EU4Culture79, 
the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)80, and TAIEX81 have already demonstrated 
their  value  in  supporting  candidate  countries’  and  potential  candidates’  cultural  sectors  and 
promoting a greater sense of belonging and shared European identity. These initiatives generate 
quality  jobs,  stimulate  sustainable  growth,  and  foster  mutual  understanding  between  partner 
countries  and  Member  States.  This  type  of  support  should  continue  in  advancing  the 
enlargement  process.  Youth  participation  will  also  be  actively  promoted  in  the  enlargement 
region, building on successful initiatives, including Youth Labs. 

The Commission  will  continue to strengthen the Policy Dialogue on  Culture with  candidate 
countries,  potential  candidates  and  neighbouring  countries,  in  close  cooperation  with  EU 
Member States. It will also launch a new phase of the EU4Culture Programme in the Eastern 
Neighbourhood region. Beyond technical cooperation, cultural exchanges offer opportunities 
for dialogue and exchange and a powerful narrative, presenting EU membership not only as a 
legal and economic process, but as a shared cultural project. Youth participation will also be 
actively promoted in the enlargement region, building on successful initiatives, including Youth 
Labs. 

Furthermore,  closer  cooperation  on  culture  will  also  benefit  the  Union’s  relations  with 
neighbouring countries and beyond. For example, the southern Mediterranean’s rich tangible 

77   Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 June 2021 establishing the 
Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe, amending and 
repealing Decision No 466/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation 
(EU) 2017/1601 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 
480/2009; Official Journal L 209/2021 

78   Joint Communication Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations (JOIN/2016/029) 
79   EU project page - EU NEIGHBOURS east 
80   Several projects have been funded through the EU’s Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), for 
instance in the Western Balkans, aiming to improve cultural cooperation as a driver of reconciliation and 
good neighbourly relations, supporting long-term regional stability and mutual understanding. 

81   TAIEX - European Commission 

15 

 
 
and  intangible  heritage  provides  a  strong  basis  for  future  cooperation  through  culture, 
sustainable  cultural  tourism,  and  heritage-based  development.  The  new  Pact  for  the 
Mediterranean82 provides opportunities to position cultural heritage and creative industries at 
the heart of dialogue and cooperation and coordination initiatives. In the context of the Pact, 
the Commission will launch a new Euro-Med initiative for culture, sport and tourism. 

In addition, building on the experience in the Creative Europe programme, the Commission 
proposed the continued possibility for third countries to participate in the AgoraEU programme. 

6.3.  Strengthening multilateralism through culture 

Fostering multilateralism through culture remains essential for the EU to strengthen its role as 
a global actor, advance intercultural dialogue, and build partnerships that contribute to peace, 
mutual respect and prosperity worldwide. Through its active participation in multilateral fora 
such as UNESCO (including in the context of Mondiacult83), the G7 and the G20, the EU helps 
shape international cultural policies, and ensures consistency in policy across sectors. The EU 
should  lead  in  translating  these  commitments  into  concrete  action  and  contribute  to  the 
advancement  of  the  role  of  culture  in  the  post-2030  sustainable  development  agenda,  by 
continuing to promote evidence-based approaches. 

7. European Culture: a strategic investment 

Supporting the vision and ambitious policy goals of the Culture Compass for Europe requires 
more systematic mobilisation of existing and forthcoming funding instruments at every level, 
in parallel with private investment and philanthropy.   

7.1.  Continuous dedicated funding  

Continued and dedicated EU financial support for Europe’s cultural and creative sectors and 
industries will be secured through Creative Europe and the proposed AgoraEU programme for 
2028-2034, which brings together culture, media, values and rights by building on the successes 
of  the  current  Creative  Europe  and  CERV  programmes.  In  line  with  its  proposal,  the 
Commission aims to build on the legacy and successes of Creative Europe and has proposed 
doubling the budget for culture. The Commission will pay special attention to simplification, 
including through the greater use of cascading grants and financing not linked to costs and lump 
sums, which should allow for greater efficiency, and making it more accessible.  

7.2.  Mainstreaming across EU financial instruments  

Current  EU  funding  for  culture  from  a  range  of  programmes  has  been  crucial  in  fostering 
education,  research,  innovation,  digitalisation,  dynamism  of  SMEs,  active  citizenship,  and 
cultural  action  with  non-EU  countries84.  The  CulturEU  funding  guide  helped  stakeholders 
navigate and understand how the various EU funding instruments approach and fund culture85. 
The Commission will update it to reflect funding opportunities for culture in the next EU 
budget.  

For  the  next  MFF,  the  Commission  proposed  to  support  culture  under  relevant  EU 
instruments, including the European Competitiveness Fund, Horizon Europe, the National and 
Regional Partnership Plans, and the Global Europe instrument. To support this, the Commission 
will develop guidelines on strategic investment in culture, aligned with the key directions of 
the Culture Compass. 

82   Joint communication on the Pact for the Mediterranean - Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf 
83   UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development 
84   Such as Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, InvestEU, CERV and NDICI. 
85  CulturEU Funding Guide - Culture and Creativity 

16 

 
 
7.3.  Leveraging private funding 

Exploring innovative mechanisms for cultural and creative sectors and industries’ financing is 
crucial to ensure their long-term sustainability. Collaboration between the public and private 
sectors is strongly encouraged to expand funding sources for culture, such as complementing 
grants  with  market  instruments,  incorporating  novel  financing  approaches,  including 
philanthropy and public-private-partnerships, tailored to the specific needs of the sectors.  

The Commission, together with the European Investment Fund (EIF), has developed innovative 
financial  instruments  as  an  alternative  to  traditional  grant  funding.  These  aim  to  leverage 
financial  markets,  both  in  equity  and  lending,  to  the  benefit  of  media  and  other  cultural 
and creative industries. To further strengthen the diversity and competitiveness of the cultural 
sectors, and building on the good results in the field of media of the InvestEU guarantees and 
with  the  Cultural  and  Creative  Sectors  Guarantee  Facility86  and  the  equity  investment  tool 
MediaInvest87, the Commission will explore new financial tools to mobilise private capital 
and  facilitate  investment  into  cultural  and  creative  sectors,  including  start-ups  and 
businesses, to increase their capacities to create and innovate.  

8. Conclusions and way forward 

The Culture Compass for Europe sets out an ambitious and strengthened EU policy framework 
for culture. Its forward-looking actions are supported by three overarching policy tools for its 
implementation: a periodic Report on the State of Culture in the EU, an EU structured dialogue 
on culture, and an EU cultural data hub.  

Advancing  the  strategic  orientation  of  this  Culture  Compass  requires  strengthened  political 
commitment and investment in culture. This is the spirit in which the draft Joint Declaration 
titled ‘Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe’ is proposed today. The Commission invites the 
European Parliament and the Council to consider the draft with a view to reaching a jointly 
agreed text and co-signing the Declaration as a signal of common intent. 

The  Commission  will  also  work  with  other  public  institutions,  cultural  stakeholders,  civil 
society  actors,  relevant  organisations  and  everyone  else  concerned  to  actively  engage  in 
reaching the high aspirations of the Culture Compass for Europe.  

86   Cultural and Creative Sectors Guarantee Facility (CCS GF), initially funded by Creative Europe until 2020, 
then by InvestEU since 2021, and implemented through an effective collaboration between the Commission 
and the European Investment Fund. 

87   MediaInvest - Boosting investment in the European audiovisual sector | Shaping Europe’s digital future 

17 

 
 
 
ANNEX 1: FLAGSHIP ACTIONS OF THE CULTURE COMPASS FOR EUROPE  

The list below outlines the actions the Commission will undertake to implement the Culture 
Compass for Europe.  

No 

1. 

2. 

Action  

VISION: Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe 

 Propose a Joint Declaration of the European Parliament, the Council of the 
European Union and the European Commission titled “Europe for Culture – 
Culture for Europe. 

Timeline 

Q4 2025 

 Report on the State of Culture in the EU and organise an EU structured 
dialogue with stakeholders. 

Q3 2027 (SoC) 
Q3 2026 (dialogue) 

3. 

 Establish an EU cultural data hub managed by the European Commission. 

as of Q3 2027 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

Key Direction 1: VALUES AND RIGHTS 

 Propose a new European Prize for Performing Arts. 

 Report to support Member States in increasing the participation of and 
support to persons with disabilities in culture. 

Q2 2027 

Q1 2028 

 Establish a voluntary framework for the mutual recognition of culture and 
cultural heritage passes for young people issued at national level, promote the 
DiscoverEU Culture Route among young people, and increase the cultural 
offer within the existing EU youth discount card (funded under Erasmus+). 

Q4 2027 (passes) 
Q2 2026 (DiscoverEU) 
Q2 2026 (Youth card) 

Key Direction 2: ARTISTS AND PEOPLE 

 Propose an EU Artists Charter in consultation with social partners and 
stakeholders. 

Q2 2027 

 Establish a Youth Cultural Ambassadors network to discuss culture policy 
matters.  

starting 2026 

9. 

 Present EU guidelines on culture, health and well-being. 

2028  

Key Direction 3: COMPETITIVENESS, RESILIENCE, COHESION 

Q1 2027 

as from Q4 2025 

10. 

 Present an AI strategy for cultural and creative sectors. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

 Develop the Common European Data Space for Cultural Heritage, in the 
context of the forthcoming deployment strategy 2025-2030 for the data space. 

 Strengthenthe European Heritage Label and the European Capitals of Culture 
post-2033. 

Q2 2026 

 Adopt a Communication and a proposal for a Council Recommendation on 
the future of the New European Bauhaus (NEB), that harness the 
transformative power of arts and culture for creativity and innovation. 

Q4 2025  

14. 

 Launch a new European R&I Partnership for Resilient Cultural Heritage. 

Q2 2026 

Key Direction 4: INTERNATIONAL 

15. 

16. 

 Together with the HRVP, update the EU Strategy on international cultural 
relations. 

 Together with the HRVP, leverage the Team Europe approach for culture to 
encourage the pooling of EU and Member States resources in culture and 
cultural heritage. 

17. 

 Launch a new phase of the EU4Culture Programme in the Eastern 
Neighbourhood. 

Q4 2027 

Ongoing 

Q4 2025 

18 

 
 
 
 
No 

18. 

19. 

20. 

 Launch a Euro-Med initiative for culture, sport and tourism in the context of 
the Pact for the Mediterranean. 

Action  

Timeline 

Q1 2026 

INVESTMENTS 

 Simplify access to EU funding for culture and update the CulturEU funding 
guide. 

ongoing (CE) 
Q4 2028 (CultureEU) 

 Develop EU guidelines on strategic investment in culture, and explore 
innovative investment tools to attract private capital, including philanthropy, 
in cooperation with relevant financial institutions. 

Q4 2028 

19