REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS on the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026
Date: 2026-07-02
Institutions: Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, European Commission
Subjects: EU action, action programme, artistic creation, arts, creative industry, cultural cooperation, cultural heritage, cultural pluralism, cultural promotion, cultural relations

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 2.7.2026  COM(2026) 337 final  REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS on the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026  
 
 
Contents 
1. 
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 2 
2.  CONTEXT ...................................................................................................................................... 2 
3.  WORK PLAN – MAIN SURVEY RESULTS ............................................................................... 3 
General feedback on the work plan ....................................................................................... 4 
Observations on working methods ........................................................................................ 4 
4.  OVERVIEW OF THE WORK CONDUCTED .............................................................................. 5 
Priority a) Artists and cultural professionals: empowering the cultural and creative sectors 5 

3.1. 
3.2. 

Priority b) Culture for the people: enhancing cultural participation and the role of culture in 
society ................................................................................................................................. 10 
Priority c) Culture for the planet: unleashing the power of culture ..................................... 13 

Priority d) Culture for co-creative partnerships: strengthening the cultural dimension of EU 
external relations ................................................................................................................. 16 
5.  LOOKING AHEAD: THE NEXT WORK PLAN FOR CULTURE ........................................... 18 
ANNEX ................................................................................................................................................ 21 

4.1. 
4.2. 

4.3. 
4.4. 

1 

 
 
 
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION 
ON THE EU WORK PLAN FOR CULTURE 2023-2026 

1. 

INTRODUCTION 

The  Council  Resolution  on  the  EU  Work  Plan  for  Culture  2023-20261  outlines  priorities  for  policy 
cooperation, implemented through collaboration between the Member States, the Commission and the 
Presidencies of the Council. The Resolution invites the Commission to adopt a final implementation 
report, based on voluntary written contributions from Member States, by June 2026. 

This report assesses the progress made since January 2023, highlights key achievements and identifies 
future  priorities  beyond  2026  to  inform  discussions  in  the  Council  on  the  next  work  plan.  While 
comprehensive,  it  does  not  cover  EU cultural  policy  initiatives  unrelated to the  themes  of  the  work 
plan. 

To  prepare  the  report,  the  Commission  conducted  a  targeted  survey  among  Member  States  (3 
February  to  19 March  2026).  This  involved  gathering  data  on  the  work  plan’s  implementation  and 
contribution to national policymaking, the suitability of its working methods and priorities for the next 
cycle2.  The  findings  of  the  survey  are  shown  in  Annex  1.  The  assessment  also  draws  on  the 
Commission’s work, exchanges with other EU institutions, and dialogue with the cultural and creative 
sectors. 

2.  CONTEXT 

Over the past decade, EU policy action in the field of culture has been guided by the Commission’s 
European Agendas for Culture3, the European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage4, the Joint 
Communication  ‘Towards  an  EU  strategy  for  international  cultural  relations’5,  and,  since  2002,  the 
Council’s multiannual work plans for culture. 

The  2023-2026  EU Work Plan for  Culture  was  formulated in  response to  four  major  developments 
that have had a significant impact on Europe’s cultural landscape. 

•  The  COVID-19  pandemic.  This  has  exposed  structural  vulnerabilities  in  the  cultural  and 
creative  sectors,  including,  in  particular,  the  precarious  employment  conditions  of  artists, 
inadequate social protection, and the digital divide in cultural participation. 

•  Russia’s  illegal  full-scale  invasion  of  Ukraine.  This  has  directly  threatened  Ukrainian 
heritage,  artists  and  cultural  professionals.  It  has  also  weaponised  culture,  thereby 
undermining fundamental values of the EU. Furthermore, it has  highlighted  the  critical role 
played by culture in societal resilience and post-conflict reconstruction. It has also underlined 
the importance of not only the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural goods, but also, more 
generally, cultural cooperation as a key dimension of EU solidarity. 

•  The  rapid  digital  transformation,  accelerated  by  generative  AI.  This  has  created  both 
opportunities  for  the  cultural  and  creative  sectors  and  also  challenges  for  creators’ 
remuneration  and  intellectual  property  protection.  It  also  has  implications  for  cultural 
diversity and for the discoverability of European content online. 

•  The escalating climate emergency and energy crisis. These have highlighted the cultural and 
creative  sectors’  vulnerability  to  environmental  threats  while  also  positioning  them  as  key 
strategic  actors  in  advancing  towards  sustainability  objectives.  Simultaneously,  the  energy 

1   Council Resolution on the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 
2   Preliminary findings from the survey analysis were presented to the Cultural Affairs Committee in Brussels 

on 27 March 2026. 

3   Communications  from  the  Commission  on  a  European  agenda  for  culture  in  a  globalising  world  and  on  a 

New European Agenda for Culture 

4   European framework for action on cultural heritage 
5   Joint communication towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations 

2 

 
 
 
 
crisis  has  underscored  the  urgency  of  transitioning  to  sustainable  practices  across  all  areas, 
including culture. 

Amidst  these  challenges,  the  cultural  and  creative  sectors  have  been  grappling  with  significant 
financial strains. These multifaceted issues have placed unprecedented demands on resources, forcing 
the sectors to adjust operational models and find innovative solutions to build resilience. 

The Creative Europe programme has been mobilised to respond to the EU Work Plan for Culture with 
its  annual  work  programmes  supporting  key  initiatives  since  2024.  Work  plan  priorities  have  been 
embedded  in  the  main  calls  for  proposals:  annual  cultural  cooperation  call;  calls  for  European 
networks of cultural and creative organisations and European  platforms for emerging artists – these 
have led to the selection of 39 networks and 19 platforms implementing work packages and activities 
contributing directly to the priorities of the work plan. 

At the EU institutional level, the period since 2024 has been marked by the start of new mandates for 
the European Parliament and the European Commission. The Commission’s Political Guidelines6 and 
the  European  Council’s  new  strategic  agenda7  set  the  overarching  direction  for  EU  action.  This  is 
against a backdrop of heightened global geopolitical tensions, growing threats to democratic values, 
increasingly  volatile  markets  –  with  repercussions  for  Europe’s  economy  –  and  the  rapid  rise  of 
artificial intelligence. These strategic frameworks place a strong emphasis on democracy, resilience, 
prosperity, competitiveness, security and the EU’s global role. 

In response to the Council’s  invitation and calls from the European Parliament and stakeholders, in 
the first year of its new mandate, the Commission presented a new EU strategic framework for culture 
– the Culture Compass for Europe8 (November 2025). It articulates a vision that places culture in 
the  centre  of  EU  policymaking  and aligns  cultural  policy  with the  EU’s  broader  political  priorities. 
The Compass helps Europe’s cultural and creative sectors to thrive, both within Europe and globally. 
It does so by focusing on key areas, including artistic freedom, access to culture, working conditions 
in  the  cultural  and  creative  sectors,  resilience,  competitiveness,  adaptation  to  AI  and  international 
cultural relations. 

The Culture Compass aligns with and is further reinforced by the Commission’s proposal for a new 
Multiannual  Financial  Framework,  particularly  the  proposed  AgoraEU  programme,  alongside  other 
instruments,  such  as  the  European  Competitiveness  Fund,  signalling  the  intention  to  increase  EU 
investment in culture. 

On  the  regulatory  side,  landmark  digital  legislation  adopted  since  2022  has  had  broad  implications 
across  sectors,  including  culture,  notably  the  Digital  Services  Act  (DSA),  the  Digital  Markets  Act 
(DMA) and the AI Act. At different levels and within their scope of application,  these contribute to 
shaping  a  safer,  more  transparent  and  fairer  digital  environment.  They  also  benefit  the  cultural  and 
creative industries and creators’ rights. 

At  the  multilateral  level,  culture  has  gained  prominence  in  forums  such  as  the  G79,  the  G2010,  and 
UNESCO11,  where  it  is  not  only  recognised  as  an  important  priority  in  its  own  right  but  also  as  a 
cross-cutting enabler of democracy, cohesion, competitiveness and Europe’s global standing. 

3.  WORK PLAN – MAIN SURVEY RESULTS 

The  EU  Work  Plan  for  Culture  2023-2026  has  continued  to  be  a  key  instrument  guiding  policy 
cooperation  between  the  Member  States  at  EU  level.  It  sets  out  guiding  principles,  4  overarching 
priorities12 and 21 thematic actions. Several actions had been designed to ensure policy coherence and 

6   Political Guidelines 2024-2029 | European Commission 
7   Strategic Agenda 2024-2029 
8   Culture Compass for Europe - Culture and Creativity 
9   2024 Italy 
10   2023 India, 2024 Brazil, 2025 South Africa 
11   MONDIACULT Declaration 2022 and MONDIACULT 2025 Outcome Document 
12   a) Artists and cultural professionals: empowering the cultural and creative sectors, b) Culture for the people: 
enhancing cultural participation and the role of culture in society, c) Culture for the  planet: unleashing the 

3 

 
 
 
continuity with the preceding work plan (2019-2022). The following assessment draws from Member 
States’ responses to the survey, including to both ranked and open text questions. 

3.1.  General feedback on the work plan 

Member States13 positively assessed the work plan as a relevant and strategic framework for guiding 
European  cultural  cooperation.  The  strongest  agreement  concerned  the  work  plan’s  overarching 
priorities12, with a clear majority fully agreeing that they were appropriate. Regarding the 21 themes, 
while respondents largely agreed that these were relevant, many indicated that they could have been 
further refined. 

Implementation of the work plan largely met the expectations of Member States. In terms of policy 
impact,  survey  respondents  agreed  that  the  work  plan  informed  existing  areas  of  national  cultural 
policymaking  and  expanded  policy  agendas  to  include  new  topics.  Qualitative  responses  confirmed 
that  outputs,  such  as  Open  Method  of  Cooperation  (OMC)  reports  and  peer-learning  activities, 
supported  evidence-based  policymaking,  strengthened  inter-ministerial  cooperation,  and  informed 
national  strategies  –  for  example,  in  areas  such  as  culture  and  health,  sustainability  and    artists’ 
working conditions. 

The work plan also contributed to strengthening the recognition of culture across policy areas, with a 
vast majority of respondents agreeing that it enhanced the role of culture in other sectors. However, 
this  contribution  was  more  often  assessed  as  partial  rather  than  full  agreement,  reflecting  ongoing 
challenges in achieving deeper cross-sectoral integration. 

Despite  these  positive  findings,  some  limitations  were  noted.  Member  States  highlighted  uneven 
translation  of  EU  priorities  into  concrete  national  outcomes.  They  cited  recurring  issues,  such  as 
limited  visibility  and  follow-up  of  actions,  insufficient  focus  on  implementation,  and  the  need  for 
greater  consistency  across  instruments.  Several  responses  also  emphasised  the  importance  of 
maintaining a focused work plan with clear priorities and tangible added value. 

3.2.  Observations on working methods 

The work plan’s instruments were widely regarded as suitable for contributing to policymaking, with 
the OMC groups receiving particularly high ratings and standing out as the most effective cooperation 
tool.  Qualitative  feedback  highlighted  the  strong  added  value  of  the  OMC  groups  in  enabling  peer 
learning,  the  exchange  of  knowledge,  and  developing  policy-relevant  outputs,  while  also  building 
lasting  expert  networks  across  Member  States.  OMC  groups  were  considered  most  effective  when 
they  had  clear  mandates,  sufficiently  focused  topics,  and  outputs  directly  linked  to  implementation 
and policy and funding instruments. However, challenges identified by respondents included overly 
broad mandates, heavy workload (including administrative burden), and difficulties in ensuring cross-
sectoral participation. Some respondents also noted inconsistencies in organisation, including uneven 
number of meetings and delays in delivering outputs. 

Peer-learning  activities14  were  highly  valued  for  providing  practical,  transferable  approaches  and 
supporting implementation at national level. Workshops were similarly well regarded, though slightly 
less highly, with their effectiveness depending on their focus and follow-up. 

Other instruments received more mixed assessments. Think-tank meetings and stocktaking exercises 
garnered less support, with the latter frequently described as disproportionately burdensome relative 
to their added value. Commission-led expert groups were viewed positively overall. 

Across  working  methods,  Member  States  consistently  called  for  improvements  in  follow-up  and 
implementation.  These  included  clearer  links  between  discussions  and  concrete  outcomes,  better 
dissemination of results, and more concise and accessible outputs. There was also strong support for 

power  of  culture,  d)  Culture  for  co-creative  partnerships:  strengthening  the  cultural  dimension  of  EU 
external relations. 

13   26 EU Member States replied to the survey. 
14   Relating  to  the  following  work-plan  actions:  ‘Culture  and  promoting  democracy:  towards  a  cultural 
citizenship  in  Europe’;  ‘Safeguarding  heritage  against  natural  and  human-made  disasters’;  ‘Preserving 
cultural heritage and empowering local cultural and creative sectors in Ukraine’. 

4 

 
 
 
expanding  hybrid  participation  formats  and  ensuring  adequate  resources  for  engagement.  Peer-
learning activities were specifically highlighted as a format that could be used more extensively. 

Overall,  while  the  working  methods  are  widely  regarded  as  relevant  and  useful,  their  effectiveness 
could  be  further  strengthened  through  more  targeted  focus,  improved  coordination,  and  a  greater 
emphasis on translating outputs into tangible policy results. 

4.  OVERVIEW OF THE WORK CONDUCTED 

This  chapter  outlines  the  implementation  of  the  work  plan  under  each  priority  and  across  its  21 
thematic actions, assessing progress and key outputs. It also gives examples of related actions taken at 
Member  State  level.  Overall,  actions  have  been  implemented  as  planned,  while  some  adjustments 
became  necessary  due  to  the  high  number  of  planned  outputs  and  in  view  of  the  challenging 
geopolitical and political context. 

4.1.  Priority  a)  Artists  and  cultural  professionals:  empowering  the  cultural  and 

creative sectors 

1)  Status and working conditions of artists and cultural and creative professionals 

Artists’ working conditions  have remained a firm priority on the EU agenda, addressed through the 
EU Work Plan for Culture, ministerial debates, the European Parliament’s own-initiative report15 and 
collaborative work between the Commission and the Member States. Since the end of 2025, this has 
been further reinforced by the Culture Compass for Europe. 

The Commission facilitated an Open Method of Coordination (OMC) group, comprising experts from 
all 27 EU Member States’ ministries of culture and employment/social affairs. The group examined a 
range  of  pertinent  subjects  –  including  artist  status  and  social  security,  fair  practice,  skills  and  life-
long learning and artistic freedom – and issued its report and recommendations in July 202316. Based 
on  its findings, the  ‘This  is  How We Work’  section  was  launched  on the  CreativesUnite  platform17, 
offering factual information and comparative data on Member States’ legal frameworks, including on 
social security and labour relations. 

A key recommendation of the OMC group was to ‘set up an EU framework for artists’ and creative 
professionals’  working  conditions’.  In  November  2023,  the  European  Parliament  adopted  an  own-
initiative legislative resolution calling for a framework of this kind. 

In  May  2024,  the  Belgian  Presidency  hosted  a  seminar  on  artists’  working  conditions,  while  the 
Commission organised a technical workshop with the OMC group. Meanwhile, the European Labour 
Authority (ELA) held a seminar on undeclared work in the cultural sector and  published a report18. 
The  Senior  Labour  Inspectors  Committee  (SLIC)  launched  an  investigation  into  potential  issues 
related  to  the  enforcement  of  the  EU  occupational  health  and  safety  legislation  (report  adopted  in 
November  2025).  In  June  2024,  the  EU-funded  ‘MoveS’  network  (focused  on  free  movement  and 
social  security  coordination)  held  a  webinar  on  ‘Labour  mobility  and  social  security  challenges  for 
artists’.  In  October  2024,  the  Commission  convened  a  joint  meeting  of  social  partners  in  the 
audiovisual and live performance sectors to identify gaps in the application of EU rules in relation to 
the  employment  situation  of  artists  and  cultural  professionals.  In  November  2024,  the  Directors-
General  for  Industrial  Relations  (Member  States’  labour  law  officials)  discussed  labour  law 
implementation challenges, focusing on the status of the artist and exchanging national practices. 

15   2022/2047(INI) 
16   The status and working conditions of artists and cultural and creative professionals – Publications Office of 

the EU 

17   https://creativesunite.eu/work-condition/ 
18   Creative sectors: ELA study reveals precarious working conditions and undeclared labour | European Labour 

Authority 

5 

 
 
 
In May 2025, the Commission organised a mutual learning seminar on social protection for artists and 
cultural  professionals,  bringing  together  Member  States’  social  security  services  and  ministries  of 
culture,  and  subsequently  issued  a  report19.  The  same  month,  the  Council  adopted  conclusions  on 
supporting young artists and cultural and creative professionals in starting their careers20, focusing on 
precarious  working  conditions,  limited  business  skills  and  fair  pay.  The  conclusions  call  for 
‘promoting  appropriate  conditions  for  the  social  and  professional  situation  of  young  artists  and 
cultural and creative professionals’. 

In  December  2025,  responding  to  the  European  Parliament’s  resolution,  the  Commission  hosted  a 
high-level  round  table  with  stakeholders  on  artists’  working  conditions.  This  was  followed,  in 
Brussels  in  June  2026,  by  a  conference  which  also  featured  artists’  working  conditions  and  was 
organised through the Creative FLIP21 project in cooperation with the Commission. 

The  Culture  Compass  maintains  momentum  on  this  priority,  proposing  the  development  of  an  EU 
Artists’  Charter,  in  collaboration  with  social  partners  and  the  cultural  and  creative  sectors,  in  2027. 
The  Charter  should  ‘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’. The Commission started preparations in 2026. 

According  to  the  survey  among  Member  States,  national  measures  implemented  to  improve  artists’ 
working  conditions  include  legal  reforms  (e.g.  draft  legislation,  amendments  to  legal  acts  and  new 
social  protection  or  economic  support  schemes)  and  administrative  tools  (e.g.  an  artist  registry  or 
creative persons status for self-employed artists and freelance professionals). One standout example is 
Ireland’s ‘basic income for the arts’ scheme, which has now been made permanent. 

2)  Artistic freedom 

The  work  plan  acknowledges  artistic  freedom  as  a  fundamental  part  of  cultural  work  and  a  critical 
link  between  culture  and  democracy.  Artistic  freedom  now  faces  new  and  increasingly  difficult 
challenges. The Council recognised that joint efforts throughout the EU are needed. 

Under the Swedish Presidency (first half of 2023), these priorities were advanced through a high-level 
conference  ‘Free  to  Create  –  European  Union  Conference  on  Artistic  Freedom  and  Cultural  and 
Creative  Industries’  (16-17  February,  Umeå,  Sweden)  and  Council  conclusions  on  at-risk  and 
displaced artists (adopted on 16 May). The Presidency conference brought together EU institutions, 
civil society  and artistic  sector  representatives  to  discuss freedom  of creation.  Key  themes  included 
free expression, exclusion from the arts, displaced artists and artists at risk, and the conditions needed 
for the cultural and creative sectors to thrive. The Council conclusions affirmed the crucial role that 
artists play in the life, development and resilience of societies and individuals, and stressed the need 
to  protect  creativity  from  threats  or  violations  that  put  artists  in  danger  as  a  result  of  their  artistic 
work.  Moreover,  the  Council  conclusions  proposed  practical  measures,  including  ‘cities  of  refuge’, 
emergency residencies and integration into local communities. 

Artistic freedom has remained at the top of the Council’s work on culture in the years since: 

•  Under  the  Spanish  Presidency  (2/2023),  EU  Culture Ministers,  meeting  informally, adopted 

the Cáceres Declaration22; 

•  Under  the  Belgian  Presidency  (1/2024),  the  completion  of  the  European  Media  Freedom 
Act23, while not falling within the remit of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYCS) 
Council, was a significant achievement with implications for freedom of expression; 

•  Under the Hungarian Presidency (2/2024), the Council adopted conclusions on improving and 
fostering  access  to  culture24,  including  provisions  that  contribute  to  the  protection  and 
promotion of artistic freedom; 

19   Mutual learning on inclusive social protection for artists and creative workers – European Commission 
20   Council conclusions on supporting young artists and cultural and creative professionals in starting their 

careers 

21   Finance, Learning, Innovation & Intellectual Property Rights for the CCSI 
22   Cáceres Declaration 
23   Regulation (EU) 2024/1083 

6 

 
 
 
•  Under the Polish Presidency (1/2025), the Council adopted conclusions on supporting young 

artists and cultural and creative professionals in starting their careers20; 

•  Under the Danish Presidency (2/2025), the Council adopted conclusions on the strategic role 
of  culture,  cultural  heritage  and  audiovisual  works  in  upholding  European  values  and 
democratic resilience25. 

The Culture Compass for Europe takes a rights-based approach and recognises that artistic freedom is 
fundamental  to  healthy  democratic  societies  and  a  resilient  Europe  that  protects  its  values.  A  key 
flagship  action  under  the  Compass  is  the  announcement  of  a  new  periodic  Report  on  the  State  of 
Culture in the EU, with a dedicated focus on artists’ experiences in relation to artistic freedom. The 
Compass  also  calls  for  safeguarding  artistic  freedom  through  current  and  future  EU  policies  and 
programmes, including the future AgoraEU under the next EU long-term budget. Member States and 
EU  institutions  are  encouraged  to  ensure  that  their  policies,  legal  frameworks  and  administrative 
practices support free artistic creation, expression and circulation. The European Democracy Shield26, 
adopted on the same day as the Culture Compass, aims to protect and promote democracy and societal 
resilience in the long run. 

At  national  level,  according  to  the survey,  Member States  reported  non-legislative  initiatives  as the 
primary response, including conferences, strategies and safeguards for freedom of creation in public 
programming or culture funding, as well as targeted programmes, such as ‘Safe to Create’ and support 
for at-risk and displaced artists in cities. 

3)  Stimulate the digital transformation of the cultural and creative sectors 

The digital transition continued to be another central theme in EU cultural policy cooperation. Under 
the  Belgian  Presidency,  a  two-day  conference  on  the  Digital  Transformation  of  the  Cultural  and 
Creative Sectors placed special emphasis on data-driven audience engagement. A key outcome  was 
the Ghent Manifesto27, which led to the establishment of the European Policy Forum on Data-Driven 
Audience Development in the Cultural and Creative Sectors. 

In  May  2025,  the  Council  adopted  conclusions28  calling  on  empowering  the  cultural  and  creative 
sectors through  data-driven  audience  development,  skills  enhancement, information  exchange  and  a 
supportive policy framework. 

As a follow-up, the Forum released a policy document in March 202629 addressing the Commission 
and  the  Member  States  with  recommendations  to  strengthen  data  literacy  across  the  cultural  and 
creative  sectors,  develop  and  implement  standardised  audience  metrics  and  put  in  place  tools  to 
facilitate data-driven audience engagement. 

The  Culture  Compass  reinforces  this  priority  by  proposing  actions  to  improve  data  collection  and 
analysis  (cultural  data  hub,  state  of  culture  report),  harness  digital  tech  and  AI  in  the  cultural  and 
creative  sectors and industries,  and further  develop  the  Common  European  Data  Space for  Cultural 
Heritage.  Several  discussions  among  EU  culture  ministers,  both  at  formal  meetings  and  during 
informal gatherings organised by the rotating Presidencies, have focused on digital transformation, in 
particularly AI. This includes the informal meeting of culture ministers in Nicosia on 1-2 June, which  
focused on subjects including cultural rights, creativity and AI. 

In  the  survey,  Member  States  primarily  listed  funding  initiatives  as  examples  of  national-level 
measures implemented during the work plan period, with several mentions of the National Recovery 

24   Council conclusions on improving and fostering access to culture 
25   Council conclusions on the strategic role of culture, cultural heritage and audiovisual works in upholding 

European values and democratic resilience 

26   JOIN(2025) 791 final 
27   The Ghent Manifesto 
28   Council conclusions on empowering the cultural and creative sectors through data-driven audience 

development 

29   Naar datagedreven publieksontwikkeling in Europa | Departement Cultuur, Jeugd & Media 

7 

 
 
 
and Resilience Plan funds, which supported the digital and green transition of the cultural and creative 
sectors. A prominent area was the digitalisation of cultural heritage30. 

4)  Stimulate the green transition of the cultural and creative sectors, with a specific focus on 

the energy crisis 

In the first six months of 2023, the Swedish Presidency carried out a stocktaking exercise within the 
Cultural  Affairs  Committee  (CAC)  to  assess  the  energy  crisis’  impact  on  the  cultural  and  creative 
sectors. The findings were summarised in a Presidency note31. This followed the abrupt rise in energy 
prices,  which  had,  and  continues  to  have,  significant  financial  implications  for  the  cultural  and 
creative sectors, altering the cost structure of their activities. The note examined cultural heritage and 
energy  performance,  discussed  the  Energy  Performance  of  Buildings  Directive  (EPBD)32,  and 
compiled examples of EU and Member States’ support measures in the spirit of  sharing knowledge 
and  good  practice.  In  September  2023,  the  ‘Voices  of  Culture’  structured  dialogue  between  the 
Commission and the cultural sectors gathered to discuss how these sectors drive the green transition, 
while navigating the energy crisis33. 

The  OMC  group  ‘Stimulate  the  green  transition  of  the  cultural  and  creative  sectors,  with  specific 
focus on the energy crisis’  started its work in April 2024, co-chaired by Ireland (Environment) and 
Italy (Culture). The group brought together 42 experts from 22 Member States, from both culture and 
climate-environmental Ministries. It pursued a dual objective: scaling up proven good practices and 
tools  to  support  greening  efforts  of  the  cultural  and  creative  sectors,  while  highlighting  culture’s 
under-recognised role in enabling the mindset shifts required for a just, inclusive and equitable green 
transition. The experts’ work built on previous OMC reports and EU studies, on external expertise and 
on  two  dedicated  surveys.  It  culminated  in  the  report  ‘Creative  shifts:  Empowering  culture  for 
sustainable living’, announced at Mondiacult Barcelona (September 2025) and published in December 
202534.  

The report shows how the cultural and creative sectors are already making an impact through energy-
saving,  climate  adaptation,  circular  practices  and  sustainable mobility.  It includes  recommendations 
for  improving  the  use  of  existing  tools  and  data  for  informed  decision-making,  scaling  up  proven 
good  practices,  stimulating  action  through  targeted  policies  and  institutional  support,  enhancing 
knowledge-sharing  across  Europe  and  better  integrating  culture  into  national  and  EU  climate 
strategies. OMC experts are continuing dissemination efforts at national level to help ensure that the 
report’s recommendations inform policy action. The Culture Compass for Europe highlights the need 
to address climate change and environmental sustainability through creative pathways as a key area 
for action. 

According  to  Member  States,  this  OMC  has  influenced  policy  and  funding  priorities  by  inspiring 
national funding schemes for  sustainable  cultural  and  creative  sectors’  practices  and  contributing  to 
the development of climate strategies for cultural institutions and heritage, thereby reinforcing the role 
of culture in achieving environmental objectives. 

5)  Enhancing the cultural and creative dimension in the European video games sector 

The  European  video  games  sector  has  gained  increasing  recognition  for  its  cultural  and  economic 
potential, prompting targeted EU-level efforts. In 2024, the Commission organised four round tables 
to explore (i) the economic and cultural relevance of gaming, within and beyond the gaming industry; 
(ii)  skills and  innovation  gaps in  the  sector;  (iii) investment  needs  and  available  financing;  and  (iv) 
national  and  regional  policies/practices  and  peer  learning.  With  over  50  participants  from  Member 
State  administrations,  academia  and  business,  the  discussions  highlighted  the  need  to  further 
acknowledge  the  cultural  and  economic  value  of  video  games,  to  improve  skills  development,  to 
increase  opportunities  for  technological  innovation,  and  to  strengthen  public-private  collaborations. 

30   Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard – Thematic Analysis – Culture and Creative Industries.pdf 
31   Stocktaking on the energy crisis – Final Presidency note 8649/23 
32   EU/2024/1275 
33   Voices of culture brainstorming report: Culture and creative sectors and industries driving green transition 

and facing the energy crisis 

34   Creative shifts – Publications Office of the EU 

8 

 
 
 
This  process  helped  the  Commission  to  identify  key  stakeholders  in  Member  States,  leading  to 
subsequent consultations relevant to the sector. It also informed the Commission’s main market study 
on video games35 and gave useful insights into the policy needs of the industry. 

In November 2023, the culture ministers adopted the Council’s conclusions36, agreeing to enhance the 
video  games  sector’s  cultural  and  creative  dimension  in  Europe  and  acknowledging  its  potential  to 
transmit cultural content and the richness of European creation, heritage and history. 

Examples of measures taken by Member States to boost the video games sector include tax credits for 
video  games  projects  and  funding  schemes.  Some  examples  of  these  measures  relate  to  projects 
promoting  cultural  heritage  (museums,  sites)  and  cross-sector  collaboration  between  developers, 
designers  and  traditional  artists.  Non-funding  examples  include  parliamentary  reporting  on  video 
games policy and dialogue with industry representatives. 

6)  Stocktaking on the implementation of the Council conclusions on the recovery, resilience 

and sustainability of the cultural and creative sectors 

In May 2021, a year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, under the Portuguese presidency, 
the  Council  approved  conclusions  on  the  recovery,  resilience  and  sustainability  of  the  cultural  and 
creative sectors, underlining the need to take action to support them in times of crisis and beyond. The 
subsequent  stocktaking  on the implementation  of  these  conclusions  was  carried out  by  the  Swedish 
and  Spanish  Presidencies,  with  an  exchange  between  Member  States  and  the  Commission  at  the 
Council’s Cultural Affairs Committee meeting in March 2023 and written input in response to queries 
by the Presidency. 

During the crisis, tailored grants supported live events, digital projects and freelancers across Europe. 
Meanwhile, streamlined processes, such as non-repayable aid, digital application portals and reduced 
documentation requirements, made funding more accessible. Creative Europe, for instance, received a 
67% funding increase, going from EUR 1.46 billion for the 2014-2020 period to EUR 2.44 billion for 
2021-2027,  to  bolster  recovery  efforts.  National  initiatives  further  strengthened  resilience  through 
artist statutes aiming at improved freelance protections, unemployment compensation, tax exemptions 
and social security moratoriums. Mobility was also facilitated through simplified cross-border travel 
procedures and tax guidance. Digital event streaming was also supported or incentivised. 

Member States have supported the digital and green transitions, as well as  the  cultural and creative 
sectors’  resilience  by  making  use  of  the  Recovery  and  Resilience  Facility.  Key  measures  adopted 
include  reforms,  for  example  of  the  status  of  artists;  investments  in  technological  upgrades  for 
theatres,  museum  archives  and  other  cultural  operators;  support  for  the  digitisation  of  cultural 
heritage, for  renovations  to  improve energy efficiency  in  cultural  buildings, for ecological  practices 
and  for  capacity  building.  Additionally,  some  Member  States  have  planned  innovative  actions  to 
harness  the  power  of  culture  for  social  cohesion  and well-being37.  Tools  such  as  the  Commission’s 
CultureEU  funding  guide38  have  improved  transparency  and  accessibility  to  EU  funding.  The 
Commission  has  enhanced  mobility  via  Culture  Moves  Europe39  and  shared  opportunities  through 
platforms like CreativesUnite. 

7)  Stocktaking on the implementation of the Council conclusions on reinforcing intercultural 
exchanges  through  the  mobility  of  artists  and  cultural  and  creative  professionals,  and 
through multilingualism in the digital era 

To  take stock  of  the  implementation of these  Council  conclusions in  the  Member  States  and at  EU 
level, the Polish Presidency launched online surveys to collect information on relevant measures since 
2022. 

Nearly all Member States stated that they have in place national schemes, such as residencies, travel 
grants and scholarships, with the goal of fostering global collaborations in arts, music and literature. 

35   The European media industry outlook – Publications Office of the EU 
36   Council conclusions on enhancing the cultural and creative dimension of the European video games sector 
37   Recovery and Resilience Facility Thematic analysis: Culture and Creative Industries 
38   Discover funding opportunities for the Cultural and Creative Sectors – Culture and Creativity 
39   Culture Moves Europe – Culture and Creativity 

9 

 
 
 
At  the  EU  level,  the  Culture  Moves  Europe  scheme  (funded  under  Creative  Europe)  has  become  a 
leading mobility option for artists, thanks to its accessible rolling calls and focus on emerging talent. 
Member  States  and  the  Commission  further  promote  mobility  through  peer  events  and  Creative 
Europe  desks.  However,  challenges  remain,  including  low  awareness,  fragmented  information, 
economic barriers, visa complexities, administrative hurdles and language gaps, all of which demand 
tailored solutions. The stocktaking document urges deeper synergies between Erasmus+ and Creative 
Europe,  alongside  efforts  to  bolster  multilingualism  through  education,  AI-driven  tools  like 
eTranslation, and protections for minority languages to counter digital divides. 

4.2.  Priority b) Culture for the people: enhancing cultural participation and the role 

of culture in society 

8)  Culture and promoting democracy: towards cultural citizenship in Europe 

To deliver on this action, the Commission has launched the ‘Culture and Democracy Study and Peer-
Learning  Project’.  This  explores  how  schools,  artists  and  cultural  organisations  can  collaborate 
through  participatory  arts  and  cultural  activities  to  enhance  young  peoples’  democratic  and  civic 
engagement. 

Implemented by a consortium of contractors since June 2025, the 27-month project pursues two main 
aims:  first,  to  collect  existing  knowledge  on  effective  school/culture  collaborations  at  national, 
regional and local levels, identifying practical ways to support them as strategic tools; second, to share 
this knowledge and examples of good practice with policy makers, educators, creative professionals 
and other key stakeholders, informing policy and practice across the EU. Deliverables will include a 
study distilling key lessons for policy and practice and a compendium of good practices, expected in 
mid-2026,  followed  by  four  peer-learning  workshops  (until  2027)  for  culture  and  education 
policymakers. A handbook for practitioners, with concrete guidance on how to establish and run such 
collaborations, along with a final conference, will conclude the work. 

Under  the  Danish  Presidency,  the  Council  adopted  the  aforementioned  conclusions40  setting  out  a 
comprehensive  framework  for  protecting  and  promoting  European  values  and  democratic  resilience 
through culture and cultural heritage, particularly in the context of geopolitical challenges. 

Across the  EU,  culture  and  democracy  have  remained  an  overarching  priority, with  Member  States 
implementing  diverse  measures,  such  as  cross-ministerial  collaboration  establishing  structural 
synergies  between  schools  and  cultural  institutions.  National  culture  strategies  now  increasingly 
incorporate the topic, while flagship institutions are repositioning their missions to foster democratic 
discourse. Awareness-raising initiatives further complement these efforts 

9)  Culture and health 

The growing evidence and recognition of culture’s role in enhancing health and well-being has led to 
increased attention being paid at EU level to this vital cross-sectoral collaboration. 

In February 2024, the Open Method of Coordination Group on Culture and Health began its work. It 
included  representatives from  ministries  of  culture,  ministries  of  health and  NGOs  across  nearly  all 
EU  Member  States,  as  well  as  external  experts,  including  the  WHO.  Tasked  with  addressing 
compelling  international  evidence,  the  group  examined  how  participation  in  cultural  and  creative 
activities  supports  better  health  outcomes  and  improved  well-being  at  individual,  community  and 
societal  level,  in  particular  in  terms  of  health  promotion,  disease  prevention,  management  and 
treatment  of  health  conditions  (including  physical  and  mental  health),  and  social  inclusion  and 
cohesion. 

This  work  gained  further  endorsement  at  the  end  of  2024,  when  the  Council,  under  the  Hungarian 
Presidency, adopted conclusions on access to culture41, while recognising the importance of cultural 
participation for personal health and well-being. Moreover, the Council conclusions from June 2025 

40   Council conclusions on the strategic role of culture, cultural heritage and audiovisual works in upholding 

European values and democratic resilience 

41   Council conclusions on improving and fostering access to culture 

10 

 
 
 
on  promoting  and  protecting  the  mental  health  of  children  and  adolescents  in  the  digital  era42 
underlined the importance of cultural participation, libraries and cultural hubs in promoting a healthy 
lifestyle and providing alternatives to screen time. 

The OMC group’s report ‘Culture and Health: Time to Act’43, was launched by Commissioner Glenn 
Micallef  and  Ernest  Urtasun,  Spanish  Minister  of  Culture,  at  Mondiacult  in  Barcelona  on 
29 September  2025.  It  provides  policy  recommendations  for  decision makers  at  European, national, 
regional and local levels, as well as for cultural organisations. It envisions a future where everyone in 
Europe  has  access  to  cultural  and  creative  participation  as  an  intrinsic  part  of  their  health  journey, 
leading to better health and well-being outcomes and better quality of life for all.  

The  report’s  findings  highlight  global  and  sectoral  challenges  –  spanning  health,  culture  and  their 
intersection  –  while  identifying  21  opportunities  for  cross-sector  collaboration.  The  findings  are 
illustrated by numerous good practices from all Member States as well as by cross-border European 
cooperation.  The  OMC  results  have  been  widely  used  and  have  served  as  an  evidence  base  for 
integrating  culture  into  health  policies,  helping  to  legitimise  culture’s  role  in  well-being  and 
prevention. This has led to concrete outcomes, such as the development of arts-in-health programmes 
(including  cultural  prescription  and  hospital-based  initiatives),  strengthened  cooperation  between 
ministries of culture and health, and has prompted the inclusion of culture in national mental health 
strategies.  The  topic  received  further  political  support  from  ministers  of  culture,  health,  and  state 
secretaries attending OMC meetings and the launch of the OMC report in several countries. 

Culture for health and well-being remains a priority in the Culture Compass. The Commission, with 
the support of experts and national contact points, will develop EU guidelines on culture, health and 
well-being by 2028. 

10) Building  bridges:  strengthening  the  multiple  roles  of  libraries  as  gateways  to  and 

transmitters of cultural works, skills and European values 

In 2023, an OMC group was mandated to examine how to strengthen and promote the multiple roles 
of public libraries and to better understand and document the cultural, societal and democratic roles 
that libraries play in society. The work started in February 2024, bringing together 36 experts from 25 
EU Member States, with input from non-EU countries including Norway, Türkiye, Iceland, Georgia, 
Moldova, Switzerland, Ukraine and the UK. A final Presidency conference is planned in late October 
2026, hosted by Ireland. 

The resulting report (planned for publication by mid-2026) aims to stimulate a Europe-wide debate on 
better  leveraging  libraries’  potential  in  tackling  societal  challenges.  It  builds  bridges  between 
policymakers  and  library  professionals  and  offers  guidance  on  fostering  innovation,  expanding 
services  and  strengthening  the  contribution  of  libraries  to  European  values  and  societal  goals.  It 
showcases  best  practice  examples  of  libraries  providing  local  solutions  to  10  societal  challenges, 
using  an  integrated  approach  aligned  with  European,  national  and  regional  strategies.  Among  its 
recommendations,  the  report  identifies  six  high-level  enablers  to  future-proof  public  libraries  and 
amplify their impact. This OMC group has contributed to strengthening the recognition of libraries as 
key social and democratic infrastructure. 

On  14-15 October  2024,  Hungary  hosted  a  Presidency  conference  titled  ‘ReAImagining  public 
collections  in  the  21st  century  in  light  of  technological  developments’,  which  explored  key  topics, 
including the digitalisation and technological innovations transforming public collections. At national 
level, according to the survey conducted to pave the way for this report, Member States have worked 
on  national  library  laws  or  amendments  expanding  library  functions.  Targeted  funding  measures  – 
including support under the Recovery and Resilience Plans and Cohesion Policy funds (in particular 
under the European Regional Development Fund)  – focused on investments covering modernisation 
of public library networks as cultural hubs, inclusive public spaces and programmes aimed at young 
audiences and heritage discovery. 

42   Council conclusions from June 2025 on promoting and protecting the mental health of children and 

adolescents in the digital era 

43   Culture and health – Publications Office of the EU 

11 

 
 
 
Several  EU  programmes supported  relevant  projects,  as  highlighted  in  the  report  ‘The  multifaceted 
role of public libraries’44. 

11) Protection of children and young people from harmful content on digital platforms 

The  Digital  Services  Act  (DSA)45  aims  to  create  a  safer  digital  space  for  all  users  and  places  the 
protection of minors online at its core, requiring platforms  to ensure a high level of privacy, safety, 
and  security  for  minors  on  their  services.  Between  2023  and  2026,  the  Commission  supported  the 
implementation of the DSA through several workshops and round tables, including (i) an all-day DSA 
stakeholder event (June 2023), with several workshops covering the protection of minors, to discuss 
implementation  priorities  ahead  of  the  full  application  of  the  DSA  (as  from  February  2024);  (ii)  a 
thematic stakeholder workshop on risk assessments for very large online platforms (April 2025); (iii) 
two  consultation  workshops  on  the  preparation  of  the  guidelines  on  the  protection  of  minors  under 
Article 28 of the DSA (October 2024 and June 2025), and on feedback from focus groups involving 
children  in  seven  Member  States  with  the  support  of  the  Safer  Internet  Centres;  (iv)  regular  online 
round  tables  with  civil  society  organisations  (2024-2026)  to  raise  awareness  about  the  DSA,  and 
exchanges of views on developments in research and risk analysis at national and grassroots level; (v) 
several annual activities under the better internet for kids (BIK+) strategy46, with a focus on the DSA. 

The Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD)47 sets out sector-specific obligations for video-
sharing  platforms  to  protect  minors  from  harmful  audiovisual  content.  The  ongoing  AVMSD 
evaluation and upcoming review by Q3 2026 will assess whether the current rules for the protection 
of  minors  are  fit  for  purpose,  in  particular  in  the  online  environment,  and  address  potential 
shortcomings.  As  part  of  this  process,  a  call  for  evidence  and  a  public  consultation,  as  well  as 
stakeholder  meetings  were  organised  also  covering  such  protection  of  minors  rules  under  the 
Directive. 

The BIK+ strategy and the Safer Internet Centres network in Member States continue to play a  key 
role in advising on child safety, education and youth participation. In 2025, the Commission’s annual 
youth-led  Safer  Internet  Forum  focused  on  ‘Protecting  and  empowering  youth  in  the  digital  age’ 
gathering  more than  800  people  from  over  65  countries.  Each  February  marks  ‘Safer  Internet  Day’ 
with activities taking place worldwide under the slogan ‘Together for a better internet’. The 2026 EU 
action plan against cyberbullying48 was shaped by consultations with over 400 stakeholders and views 
collected from 6 300 children. To coordinate efforts at EU level, regular sharing of good practice has 
been  organised  by  the  network  of  Safer  Internet  Centres  which,  together  with  the  BIK  platform, 
reaches  more  than  46  million  people  in  Europe  and  beyond  in  2025.  Several  Member  States  have 
funded projects on safe internet and media literacy. 

12) Discoverability of diverse European cultural content in the digital environment 

The  work  plan  underscored  the  need  to  strengthen  the  discoverability  of  diverse  European  cultural 
content online, which led the Commission  to commission a study  to better understand this complex 
and increasingly relevant subject. 

The  study,  published  on  8 April  202649  and  focusing  primarily  on  music  and  books,  identifies 
opportunities arising from digitisation, such as increasing democratisation of, and access to, culture. It 
also  highlights  overarching  challenges  for  European  works  in  reaching  audiences  beyond  borders, 
including  language  silos  and  translation  gaps,  algorithmic  opacity  and  platform  dominance.  Other 
factors  influencing  diversity  include  algorithmic  biases,  data  limitations,  promotion  and  curation 
inequalities, capacity gaps and digital literacy – compounded by the rise of AI-generated content. The 
study  concludes  that  concerted  efforts  are  required  to  fully  tap  into  the  opportunities  presented  by 

44   Programmes, such as Creative Europe, Horizon Europe, ERASMUS+ or the Asylum, Migration and 
Integration Fund (AMIF); The multifaceted role of public libraries – Publications Office of the EU 

45   EU/2022/2065 
46   Better Internet for Kids strategy (BIK+) 
47   EU/2018/1808 
48   COM(2026) 71 final 
49   Study on the discoverability of diverse European cultural content in the digital environment – Publications 

Office of the EU 

12 

 
 
 
digitisation,  address  the  structural  imbalances  identified  and  harness  technology  to  enhance  the 
discoverability of European works. 

The  recommendations,  targeting  cultural  sectors,  digital  platforms  and  policymakers  at  EU  and 
national levels, address six strategic action areas: (i) fostering collaboration and  governance for fair 
discoverability;  (ii)  enhancing  data  collaboration  and  knowledge;  (iii)  building  digital  capacity  and 
tools for creators and cultural organisations; (iv) audience-focused measures; (v) accelerating research 
and  innovation  for  discoverability;  and  (vi)  bolstering  European  content  supply:  funding,  curation, 
prominence and transparency. The study  was presented at a dedicated conference  with stakeholders 
and Member States’ representatives in Brussels on 20 April 2026. 

Following  the  publication  of  the  study,  the  Commission  committed  to  continuing  to  support 
investments on discoverability of diverse cultural content created in Europe to foster its consumption 
within and outside the EU, as provided by the Culture Compass. 

4.3.  Priority c) Culture for the planet: unleashing the power of culture 

13) Cultural statistics – to build resilience in and through culture 

In  2023,  Eurostat  set  up  a  task  force  with  representatives  from  the  statistical  institutes  of  the  EU 
Member  States  and  observer  members  from  selected  key  organisations  to  update  the  EU  statistical 
framework  for  culture  statistics.  Member  States  adopted  the  revised  framework  in  spring  2026.  In 
agreement  with  the  Member  States,  Eurostat  prepared  an  updated  guide  for  cultural  statistics, 
reflecting  the  revised  framework.  Following  its  implementation,  first  results  are  expected  in  2026, 
depending on the timing and scope of data collections.  

This  new  EU  framework  on  cultural  statistics  together  with  the  revision  of  relevant  official 
classifications  such  as  NACE  Rev.  2.1,  will  enable  Eurostat  to  disseminate  more  accurate  data, 
including on employment in the cultural and creative sectors, to provide a clearer picture of the field 
and  its  different  sub-sectors.  Building  on  previous  work,  as  outlined  in  the  Culture  Compass,  the 
Commission  will  develop  an  EU  cultural  data  hub50  to  collect  and  analyse  cultural  data,  monitor 
trends, and pool best practices.  

For  the  period  of  the  work  plan,  many  Member  States  reported  progress  in  developing  cultural 
indicators and data systems. 

14) Cultural governance 

In early 2026, the Cypriot Presidency organised several ‘online workshops’ with experts as part of a 
think-tank  process  where  knowledge  from  practice,  research  and  policymaking  could  intersect  in  a 
structured yet informal way. These sessions started exploring how cultural governance might address 
emerging  societal  and  political  realities  marked  by  digital  transformation,  geopolitical  uncertainty, 
environmental  transition  and  rising  demands  for  democratic  participation.  The  final  conference, 
originally scheduled for early March 2026 in Nicosia, was regrettably cancelled at short notice due to 
the escalating crisis in Iran. 

15) Climate action through culture, including the arts and cultural heritage 

An  informal  meeting  with  former  members  of  the  OMC  group  on  ‘Strengthening  cultural  heritage 
resilience  for  climate  change’  was  held  on  17 September  2024.  Its  aims  were  to  (i)  take  stock  of 
policy  developments  at  national  level  resulting  from  the  report’s  recommendations;  (ii)  present 
additional  best  practice  examples  from  members;  and  (iii)  discuss  further  action  to  support  the 
report’s dissemination and amplify its impact. 

At EU level, a very tangible result of the report is the launch of a European Partnership for Resilient 
Cultural  Heritage  (2026)  funded  by  Horizon  Europe,  one  of  the  20  flagship  actions  in  the  Culture 
Compass. Internationally, the EU engages on culture-based climate action as a knowledge partner in 
the  Group  of  Friends  of  Culture-Based  Climate  Action.  This  is  a  coalition  of  UN  Member  States, 

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

the Commission’s European Media Outlook Report. 

13 

 
 
 
intergovernmental  agencies  and  organisations  within  the  United  Nations  Framework  Convention  on 
Climate Change framework that aims to build political momentum for recognising the critical role of 
culture in addressing climate change. 

The  Creative  Europe  programme  has  supported  the  production  of  tools  such  as  the  Greening  the 
Creative Europe Programme report51 and related Guidelines on quality assessment of green aspects in 
Creative Europe projects (Culture strand)52. 

Member States’ survey responses point to different measures being implemented on this topic. These 
include  (i)  embedding  cultural  heritage  within  climate  strategies;  (ii)  assessing  cultural  heritage 
climate  vulnerability;  (iii)  incorporating  sustainability  criteria  into  public  cultural  grants  and  (iv) 
funding to prevent climate damage to cultural monuments. Other examples of funding involve (i) New 
European Bauhaus (NEB) initiatives linking citizen engagement with sustainable local development; 
(ii) the incorporation  of  cultural  heritage into  climate  resilience  strategies;  (iii) a  CO₂ calculator  for 
museums; as well as (iv) involvement in international training, workshops and conferences on climate 
change and culture. 

16) High-quality living environment for everyone 

In line with the recommendations of the OMC group on investing in a high-quality architecture and 
living  environment  for everyone  (2021)53  and  with the Council  conclusions  on  culture,  high-quality 
architecture  and  built  environment  as  key  aspects  of  the  NEB  initiative  (2021)54,  the  European 
Directors of Architecture Policies (EDAP) gathered under each Council presidency. Their discussions 
focused  on  initiatives  to  achieve  a  high-quality  living  environment  for  everyone  (including  those 
living in rural and remote areas, such as  the outermost regions), while  exploring synergies with the 
NEB network. 

EDAP meetings and related European conferences on architectural policies addressed topics such as 
(i)  policy  implementation  (from  policy  to  practice);  (ii)  the  quality  of  tomorrow’s  housing  (quality 
living  in  the  continuity  of  architecture);  (iii)  restoration,  renovation  and  adapted  re-use  of  cultural 
heritage; and (iv) improvements of architecture competitions and public procurement (spatial quality 
through  public  procurement).  At  the  EDAP  meeting  on  6  May  2026,  there  was  broad  support  for 
continuing exchange, peer learning, and policy dialogue among Member States, EU institutions, and 
relevant stakeholders under the next work plan. 

Between July 2023 and November 2024, a Creative Europe-funded peer-learning initiative supported 
local  and  regional  authorities  in  planning  and  delivering  high-quality  architectural  policies  and 
projects. This facilitated peer exchanges across EU cities, regions, EU countries and key stakeholders, 
focusing  on  effective  processes  and  good  practice.  This  was  outlined  in  the  Commission’s  NEB 
Communication  and  followed  up  to  the  Council’s  invitation  to  provide  opportunities  for  research, 
capacity  building  and  peer  learning55.  Announced  as  one  of  the  flagship  actions  in  the  Culture 
Compass, the  Commission adopted a new Communication on the future of the NEB56 and a related 
proposal  for  a  Council  Recommendation  in  December  202557.  The  Council  adopted  the 
Recommendation on 11 May 202658. 

Member  States’  measures  in  this  area  –  as  reported  in  the  work  plan  survey  –  span  legal  measures 
(such  as  laws  establishing  quality  criteria  for  architecture),  funding  actions  (such  as  urban  heritage 
regeneration  initiatives,  support  for  architecture  and  design  development  projects)  and  educational 
and expert activities. 

51   Greening the Creative Europe Programme – Publications Office of the EU 
52   Quality assessment of green aspects in Creative Europe projects (Culture strand) – Culture and Creativity 
53   Towards a shared culture of architecture – Report 
54   New European Bauhaus: beautiful, sustainable, together 
55   Council conclusions on culture, high-quality architecture and built environment as key elements of the New 

European Bauhaus initiative 

56   Communication on the New European Bauhaus – New European Bauhaus 
57   Proposal for a Council Recommendation on the New European Bauhaus 
58   Council Recommendation on the New European Bauhaus 

14 

 
 
 
17) Safeguarding heritage against natural and human-made disasters 

Recurrent crises, from armed conflicts to natural disasters, have underscored the need for strengthened 
international efforts to safeguard, restore and preserve countries’ cultural heritage. 

Since 2019, the Commission has funded the PROCULTHER (‘Protecting Cultural Heritage from the 
Consequences  of  Disasters’)  projects  to  support  the  development  of  pan-European  doctrines 
especially  under  the  Union  Civil  Protection  Mechanism  (UCPM)59.  The  initiative  spearheaded  the 
creation of a Cultural Heritage Protection module in the European Civil Protection Pool60, integrated 
cultural  heritage  protection  into  EU  exercises, and  developed  a  methodology  on  combining disaster 
risk management with cultural heritage protection, including through a whole-of-society approach.61 

Complementarily, the EU-funded project ‘Enhancing capacities in Ukraine for cultural heritage first 
aid and recovery planning’ (completed in September 2024 and implemented by ICCROM)62 trained 
23 heritage professionals from 11 oblasts (including five frontline regions) to establish Ukraine’s first 
national team  of  cultural first  aiders.  It is  now  equipped  to  assess, mitigate  and reduce  disaster and 
conflict  risks  to  all  types  of  heritage,  and  ready  to  recover  and  safeguard  the  nation’s  invaluable 
heritage amid Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. 

Another  project,  ‘Safeguarding  Cultural  Heritage  from  Disasters,  Extreme  Weather  Events,  and 
Complex  Emergencies’  (2024-2027)63,  is  a  cascading  capacity  development  initiative  aimed  at 
enhancing  disaster  risk  mitigation  and  emergency  preparedness  at  heritage  sites  and  institutions.  A 
first  successful  round  of  training  sessions  was  completed  in  2025,  combining  online  and  on-site 
sessions, followed by field projects in participants’ home countries in early 2026. 

The conference  ‘Safe  cultural  heritage – European  challenges in  times of  war and crisis’, organised 
under  the  Polish  Presidency  in  Krakow  on  3-4 April  2025,  also  emphasised  the  importance  of 
safeguarding heritage both physically and digitally in light of mounting risks. 

At  national  level,  Member  States  have  developed  national  disaster  risk  prevention  strategies  and 
plans,  damage  assessment  methodologies,  and  applications  for  recording  and  assessing  damage  to 
cultural heritage. Funding has been directed at interventions, guideline development and monitoring 
on  climate  vulnerabilities  affecting  cultural  heritage.  Proposals  include  a  pan-European  solution  for 
long-term digital cultural heritage preservation, with a working group mapping heritage datasets and 
cross-border requirements. 

18) Exchanging information between cultural heritage professionals and competent authorities 

for cultural goods on the fight against trafficking in cultural goods 

Following up on the ‘EU action plan against trafficking in cultural goods’ of December 202264, the 
Commission  set  up  an  Expert  Subgroup  on  the  Art  Market  in  December  202365  to  facilitate 
information  exchange  and  discussions  on  legislation,  programmes  and  policies  related  to  the 
protection and trade of cultural goods in the single market, and to foster the sharing of good practice. 
The subgroup held its fourth meeting in Brussels on 29 January 2026. 

Moreover, through the Horizon Europe programme, the Commission funded many different projects 
fighting  illicit  trafficking  of  cultural  goods, including  RITHMS66,  a  research  and innovation  project 
aimed at enhancing the operational capacity of police, customs and border authorities to combat the 
organised and poly-criminal nature of cultural goods trafficking. It was presented at an event on future 

59   Through the UCPM, the Commission can deploy advisory missions that provide recommendations on 

safeguarding cultural heritage in times of crisis. Upon request, it can also support the evacuation of movable 
cultural heritage at risk. In addition, the UCPM is establishing a pool of experts with specialised expertise in 
cultural heritage protection. 

60   European Civil Protection Pool - European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations 
61   PROCULTHER-4ALL | UCP Knowledge Network 
62   Enhancing capacities in Ukraine for cultural heritage first aid and recovery planning – ICCROM 
63   READY track 1: Safeguarding Heritage Collections, Living Traditions and Practices in the face of Disasters, 

Extreme Weather Events and Complex Emergencies – ICCROM 

64   COM/2022/800 final 
65   Subgroup on the Art Market - Register of Commission expert groups and other similar entities 
66   RITHMS Project 

15 

 
 
 
policies and best practices ‘Beyond restoration – the role of restorers and conservators in supporting 
law  enforcement  in  combating  the  illicit  trafficking  of  cultural  goods’67,  held  in  Brussels  on 
4 December  2024.  The  event  explored  how  restorers  can  actively  contribute  to  combating  such 
crimes.  It  featured  expert  panel  discussions,  a  hands-on  workshop  and  discussions  to  address  the 
complex challenges restorers and conservators face in their work. 

At their informal meeting in Nicosia, Cyprus on 1-2 June 2026, EU culture ministers acknowledged 
the  potential  of  new  technologies,  particularly  AI,  in  strengthening  efforts  against  the  trafficking  in 
cultural  goods,  particularly  with  regards  to  traceability  and  due  diligence,  and  confirmed  the 
importance  of  continued  engagement  and  cooperation  among  Member  States,  including  within  the 
framework of EU and international standards and regulatory frameworks.  

The  responses  of  Member  States  to  the  survey  conducted  in  preparation  for  this  report  emphasised 
networking,  awareness-raising  and  cooperation  between  police,  customs  and  ministries.  They 
confirmed  the  full  implementation  of  the  EU  Regulations  on  the  introduction  and  the  import  of 
cultural  goods  (Regulation  (EU)  2019/880  and  Commission  Implementing  Regulation  (EU) 
2021/1079).  They  also  cited  specific  cases  of  cross-institutional  collaboration  that  resulted  in  the 
return  of  stolen  goods.  Some  Member  States  reported  that  they  had  signed  bilateral  agreements  on 
information  exchange,  joint  training  for  police  units,  and  the  use  of  digital  tools  to  improve 
traceability and intra-EU notifications. Training activities in this period included training provided by 
the  OSCE  Heritage  Crime  Task  Force,  national  workshops  for  police  and  customs  officials,  and  a 
UNESCO  capacity-building  workshop  in  Warsaw  and  Chișinău  focused  on  combating  the  illicit 
trafficking of Ukrainian cultural property. 

4.4.  Priority  d)  Culture  for  co-creative  partnerships:  strengthening  the  cultural 

dimension of EU external relations 

19) Governance of the EU strategic approach to international cultural relations and framework 

The role of culture and international cultural relations  (ICR) as a strategic asset for Europe’s global 
influence  has  gained  increased  recognition.  The  Commission  and  the  Member  States  have 
implemented  a  series  of  activities  as  part  of  the  work  plan.  Experts  from  ministries  of  culture  and 
ministries  responsible  for  external  relations  have  collaborated  closely  under  the  OMC.  The  work 
started in May 2023 and brought together around 33 experts from 23 EU Member States, with input 
from  internal  and  external  guest  speakers.  The  OMC  group  met  nine  times  and,  with  Slovenia  and 
Luxembourg  co-chairing  the  group,  produced  a  comprehensive  report  with  recommendations  to 
improve the governance of the EU’s ICR. 

This report provides an overview of the current state of EU international cultural relations, covers key 
discussions  and  contributions  and  makes  65  recommendations.  Several  of  these  focus  on 
strengthening the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on International Cultural Relations – the sole EU-
level  forum  where  high-level  officials  from  ministries  of  culture  and  those  responsible  for  external 
relations can convene. In particular, the recommendations aim to improve the SOM’s continuity and 
alignment  with  broader  strategic  priorities.  These  recommendations  are  expected  to  inform  the 
revision of the EU strategy on ICR, scheduled for Q4 2027 under the Culture Compass. Beyond this, 
they offer practical guidance to strengthen the EU’s cultural diplomacy and enhance its international 
impact, particularly in today’s volatile, fast-changing and tense geopolitical environment. 

20) Preserving cultural heritage and empowering local CCS in Ukraine 

In  light  of  Russia’s  ongoing  war  of  aggression  against  Ukraine,  the  Commission  set  up  an  expert 
subgroup on ‘Safeguarding cultural heritage in Ukraine’. The subgroup reported to the Expert Group 
on Cultural Heritage (created  in 2019 following the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage), and 
consisted  of  26 international  experts,  including  6  from  Ukraine.  Between June 2023  and  December 
2024, the group met five times. The recommendations published in November 2024 in English and 

67   Beyond Restoration: RITHMS policies and best practices 

16 

 
 
 
Ukrainian68 address four priority areas: (i) recognition of cultural heritage; (ii) risk management; (iii) 
documentation,  monitoring  and  data  collection;  and  (iv)  recovery  of  cultural  heritage.  High-level 
participation by Ukrainian authorities, with deputy ministerial representatives engaging in the fourth 
and fifth meetings, ensured national ownership. 

Building  on  a  2022  mapping  of  cultural  actors  and  their  needs  –  conducted  after  the  full-scale 
invasion  of  Ukraine  and  Ukraine’s  designation  as  an  official  EU  candidate  country  –  the  Cultural 
Relations Platform organised activities in 2024 (at the Commission’s request). Aligned with the EU 
Work  Plan  for  Culture,  the  Commission  launched  a  dedicated  project  activity  in  January  2024  to 
evaluate  the  state  of  the  cultural  and  creative  sectors  in  Ukraine,  with  a  particular  focus  on  EU 
integration  and  its  potential  contribution  to  Ukraine’s  recovery  amid  Russia’s  ongoing  war  of 
aggression against Ukraine. 

Since  the  start  of  this  war,  the  Creative  Europe  Programme  has  provided  substantial  support  to 
Ukraine.  Under  the  Culture  strand,  two  special  calls  were  launched  –  EUR 5  million  in  2022  and 
EUR 7 million in 2025 – to support Ukrainian cultural and creative organisations, professionals and 
artists  in  tackling  the  ongoing  and  future  consequences  of  Russia’s  war  of  aggression,  as  well  as 
heritage  preservation  and  artistic  performance  both  inside  and  outside  Ukraine,  in  cooperation  with 
organisations from other Creative Europe countries. Beyond these calls, Ukrainian organisations have 
secured  EUR 7.64  million  through  other  Creative  Europe  actions  since  2022,  including  European 
Cooperation Projects and the ‘Circulation of European Literary Works’ scheme. Additionally, Culture 
Moves  Europe  (2022-2025)  has  awarded  over  EUR 700 000  in  mobility  grants  to  360+  Ukrainian 
artists and cultural professionals. 

Various support initiatives to preserve Ukraine’s cultural heritage have been provided by all Member 
States, primarily through funding but also via technical cooperation. Building on these efforts, at the 
Ukraine  Recovery  Conference  in  July  2025,  the  Commission  launched  the  Team  Europe  Approach 
(TEA) for Cultural Heritage in Ukraine. The TEA now comprises 76 actions by 24 Member States69 
and the Commission, as well as pledges by Member States to the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund. 
Developed  by  Aliph  in  2025  at  Ukraine’s  request,  the  process  received  technical  support  from  the 
Commission,  including  via  the  ‘Case  Studies  on  Cultural  Heritage  Funds  in  Europe’,  published  in 
May 202570. 

21) The role of culture and cultural professionals in the promotion and defence of democracy 

and human rights in fragile contexts 

The  Council  conclusions  on  an  EU  strategic  approach  to  international  cultural  relations  and  a 
framework for action (adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council on 8 April 2019)71 recognise the need 
for a cross-cutting approach to culture, while aiming to strengthen the effectiveness and impact of EU 
foreign policy by integrating international cultural relations into its instruments. They call for better 
policy  coordination  among  Commission  Directorates-General,  Member  States  and  cultural 
organisations, including joint development of local strategies by EU delegations, EU Member States 
and  the  Commission.  Cultural  cooperation  has  continued  to  promote  common  values  and  Europe’s 
unique cultural diversity as a  cornerstone of the EU’s global influence in the world in  terms of fair, 
equal and long-term partnerships. 

‘Unity  in  Cultural  Diversity:  a  workshop  on  artistic  freedom,  human  rights  and  the  role  of 
international cultural relations in Europe and beyond’ was organised in June 2024 in Brussels by the 
Cultural Relations Platform at the request of the European External Action Service. Fifteen speakers 
from  the  EU  institutions  and  representatives  from  Member  States  and  civil  society  discussed  the 
importance  of  supporting  artistic  freedom in  shrinking  spaces,  how  to  harness  cultural  diversity  for 

68   Recommendations from the European Commission-led expert group on the safeguarding of cultural heritage 

in Ukraine - Publications Office of the EU 

69   AT, BE, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, IE, IT, LT, LV, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SI, SK, SE 
70   European Commission: Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture and European Expert 

Network on Culture, Case studies on cultural heritage funds in Europe, Publications Office of the European 
Union, 2025, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/1231060 

71   Council  conclusions  on  an  EU  strategic  approach  to  international  cultural  relations  and  a  framework  for 

action 

17 

 
 
 
dialogue and resilience, the impact of political dynamics on international cultural relations, and fragile 
contexts and project implementation. 

The  Slovenian  Presidency’s  event  ‘Future  Unlocked!’  (12-15 September  2021)  involved  the 
discussion of cultural and creative sectors as agents of change. Organised by the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs,  the  event  combined  the  High-Level  Conference  on  Culture  in  Foreign  Relations,  Creative 
Forum  Ljubljana,  the  European  Creative  Industries  Summit  and  a  senior  officials’  meeting  on 
international  cultural  relations.  The  geographic  scope  also included  the  Western  Balkans,  the  South 
Mediterranean and Africa. 

Member  States  addressed  this  issue  mostly  through  funded  initiatives.  These  include  funding  for 
cultural NGO projects involving artists in exile from Russia and Belarus, grants for Ukrainian artists, 
and  arts  council  programmes  promoting  artistic  freedom,  cultural  entrepreneurship  and  social 
inclusion in fragile contexts, among others. 

5.  LOOKING AHEAD: THE NEXT WORK PLAN FOR CULTURE 

In this rapidly shifting (geo)political and global landscape, culture has emerged as a strategic force for 
a  democratic,  resilient  and  competitive  Europe,  rooted  in  our  shared  values,  artistic  freedom  and 
fundamental rights. Yet the cultural and creative sectors face pressing challenges from AI and digital 
disruption  to  economic  instability  and  social  dynamics.  Europe  must  empower  them  to  adapt, 
innovate, and thrive, thereby ensuring that they are future-ready. 

This vision is embedded in the 2025 Culture Compass for Europe, through which the Commission 
established  an  ambitious  EU  strategic  framework  for  policymaking.  The  Compass  sets  out  key 
directions to support and strengthen the cultural and creative sectors and to mainstream culture across 
policies. Backed by concrete flagship actions – many of which are already underway – the Compass 
provides a foundation for long-term policy ambition. 

Building  on  this  and  also  on  the  achievements  of  the  work  plans  for  culture,  the  2026  Joint 
Declaration ‘Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe’72 is a tripartite political agreement between 
the  European  Parliament,  the  Council  of  the  EU  and  the  Commission.  It  enshrines  shared 
commitments and guiding principles for priority areas of EU level cooperation on culture, while fully 
respecting Member States’ competences. Endorsed by all three institutions, this Declaration reinforces 
the strategic direction set by the Compass and offers a common point of reference for the future. 

The next multiannual work plan for culture post-2026 now offers a key opportunity to translate this 
collective vision and political consensus into targeted, impactful and time-bound actions. By aligning 
closely  with  the  new  strategic  foundation  provided  by  the  Compass  and  the  Joint  Declaration,  the 
work plan can further enhance policy coherence and foster complementarity with existing or planned 
initiatives.  By  focusing  on  the  most  pressing  themes  and  concrete  deliverable  actions,  the  work 
plan can drive effective collaboration on culture between the Member States at EU level. 

This  view  is  supported  by  the  survey  findings.  Several  Member  States  emphasised  the  need  for  a 
coherent, complementary and efficiently structured work plan that builds on past achievements. The 
Commission  therefore  recommends  a  more  focused  and  action-oriented  approach  for  the  next 
cycle, avoiding an excessive number of topics to prevent overloading the agenda and ensure feasible 
implementation  by  the  Member  States  and  the  Commission.  Working  methods  should  be  carefully 
calibrated to the topic and objective at hand, with administrative burden kept to a minimum. Member 
States expressed similar concern and emphasised the need for focus and efficiency. 

The themes that Member States consider the most relevant for the future work plan largely align 
with  the  priorities  of  the  Culture  Compass  and  the  Joint  Declaration.  Responses  also  highlighted  a 
preference  for  continuity,  while  adapting  the  focus  to  reflect  contemporary  challenges.  The  key 
priorities  for  the  next  work  plan,  which  were  also  articulated  by  culture  ministers  in  their  policy 
debate during the EYCS Council on 12 May 2026, can be summarised as follows: 

•  AI  and  the  cultural  and  creative  sectors,  given  AI’s  role  in  enhancing  European 

72   Signed on 18 June 2026. OJ C/2026/3440, 25.6. 2026, EUR-Lex - C_202603440 - EN - EUR-Lex. 

18 

 
 
 
 
competitiveness, the need to balance technological adoption with the preservation of cultural 
and  linguistic  diversity  and  creators’  rights,  as  well  as  AI’s  ethical,  legal  and  transparency 
implications for culture. In light of this, the Commission is preparing a dedicated AI strategy, 
planned  for  adoption  in  2027.  The  next  work  plan  provides  an  opportunity  to  include 
complementary  action  to  facilitate  exchanges  on  national  initiatives  as  well  as  dedicated 
activities  to  follow  up  on  the  recommendations  from  the  study  on  the  discoverability  of 
diverse European cultural content in the digital environment, targeted at Member States. 

•  Crisis preparedness, security, resilience in and through culture, including peace-building 
and the protection and safeguarding of cultural heritage, are increasingly vital. The urgency of 
this topic is heightened by geopolitical instability and emerging conflicts, climate change and 
extreme  weather  events.  As  further  confirmed  by  ongoing  policy  work  under  the  EU 
preparedness  Union  strategy73,  which  identifies  cultural  heritage  as  one  of  the  19  core  vital 
societal functions, there is a need to develop and strengthen ad hoc coordination mechanisms 
at  local,  regional  and  EU  levels,  alongside  broad  civil  society  education  and awareness.  To 
advance  these  goals,  the  Commission  considers  there  to  be  significant  added  value  for  the 
next  work  plan  in  including  a  focus  on  cultural  heritage  risk  preparedness,  supplementing 
Member  States’  efforts  through  increased  coordination  and  expertise-sharing,  including  by 
capitalising  on  lessons  learned  from  conflict  and  crisis  contexts,  particularly  in  Ukraine. 
Meanwhile, culture remains essential for fostering social cohesion and resilience, particularly 
in  addressing  global  challenges.  Digital  means,  such  as  digital  preservation  and  3D 
digitisation,  can  play  an  important  role,  while  intergenerational  exchange  can  contribute  to 
safeguarding intangible heritage and traditional crafts. 

•  Access  to  culture  and  cultural  heritage  remains  crucial,  particularly  in  underserved 
territories, for persons with disabilities, and for disadvantaged or marginalised communities. 
This involves strengthening cultural participation and leveraging cultural infrastructure, such 
as libraries, museums and cultural centres, as proximity spaces for engagement and engines of 
local,  regional  and  territorial  development.  The  well-documented  importance  of  cultural 
access for democratic participation, as well as individual and societal well-being, ensures that 
the  topic  stays  high  on  the  agenda.  In  this  context,  the  Commission  will  propose  EU 
guidelines  on  culture  for  health  and  well-being  by  2028.  This  process  will  require  strong 
engagement  and  collaboration  among  Member  States.  The  next  work  plan  could  make  a 
meaningful contribution to this. Additionally, to enhance young people’s access to culture and 
heritage, there is scope for sharing best practices and addressing challenges between Member 
States  related  to  cultural  pass  schemes  implemented  at  national,  regional,  local,  or  cross-
border levels. 

•  Strategic investment in culture and innovative financing tools are essential to expand the 
resource  base  of  the  cultural  and  creative  sectors  and  unlock  the  potential  of  culture  in 
addressing  the  challenges  of  today  and  tomorrow.  Instruments  such  as  blended  finance, 
public-private  partnerships,  philanthropy  and  tax  incentives  could  be  further  explored  and 
developed.  Future  EU-level  cooperation  under  the  next  work  plan  could  play  a  key  role  in 
providing guidance, sharing knowledge and exchanging good practices, particularly given the 
diverse  national  funding  models  and  experiences.  This  exchange  could  also  cover  lessons 
learned  from  the  use  of  the  Recovery  and  Resilience  Facility  and  Cohesion  Policy  support 
(including the European Regional Development Fund) for culture, particularly with a view to 
inspiring  possible  future  cultural  investments  in  the  proposed  National  and  Regional 
Partnership Plans. 

•  Safeguarding  artistic  freedom  has  gained  prominence  in  EU-level  discussion,  with  a 
growing consensus on its critical role in democratic and open societies. This is reflected in the 
Council’s work on culture’s role in democratic resilience under the current work plan. In the 
EU,  protecting  the  freedom  of  artists  and  cultural  workers  to  create  without  censorship  or 
intimidation and to express their views on public issues is a collective responsibility. The next 
work plan offers an opportunity to build on this progress, advancing artistic freedom both as a 

73   JOIN(2025) 130 final 

19 

 
 
 
cornerstone  of  our  democracies  as  well  as  a  foundational  working  condition  that  enables  a 
thriving and diverse cultural landscape. 

• 

Improving  working  conditions  for  artists  and  cultural  professionals,  alongside  freedom  of 
artistic expression, remains a key priority that should be carried over and further developed in 
the  next  work  plan.  This  would  allow  for  building  on  the  results  already  achieved  and 
integrating insights from the ongoing work under the Culture Compass, notably the upcoming 
State of Culture Report and the EU Artists’ Charter. 

•  The  EU’s  international  cultural  relations  continue  to  represent  a  key  area  for  EU-level 
work,  with  scope  to  foster  coherence,  strategic  alignment  and  effective  implementation  of 
cultural  cooperation  with  partner  countries.  As  highlighted  by  the  recent  Open  Method  of 
Coordination  on  the  topic,  clearer  geographical  and  thematic  priorities  are  needed  to  avoid 
fragmented approaches across instruments and projects. For the next work plan, one first step 
could  be  a  comprehensive  study  or  mapping  of  existing  association  and  partnership 
agreements,  with  a  focus  on  their  cultural  clauses,  alongside  improved  information-sharing 
mechanisms  with  Member  States.  This  would  enable  more  strategic  alignment  in  future 
negotiations, ensuring that cultural provisions reflect both EU objectives and the realities of 
Member  States’  engagement  in  partner  countries,  while  strengthening  the  impact  of  these 
provisions  in  full  respect  of  subsidiarity.  Moreover,  the  Commission  supports  the  Open 
Method of Coordination group’s recommendation seeking to improve the continuity of Senior 
Official Meetings and their alignment with broader strategic priorities. 

In  light  of  the  above,  the  next  work  plan  could  consolidate  progress  and  reinforce  ongoing 
workstreams, while addressing emerging priorities in a flexible manner and avoiding dispersion 
or  duplication  of  efforts.  By  collaborating  closely,  Member  States  and  the  Commission  can  turn 
shared priorities into tangible, durable policy outcomes at both EU and national levels. 

______ 

ANNEX: Survey on the implementation of the Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 – Analysis of replies 
from EU Member States 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
ANNEX 

Survey on the implementation of the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 

Methodology 

A  targeted  survey  of  EU  Member  States  on  the  implementation  of  the  EU  Work  Plan  for  Culture 
2023-2026 was conducted between 3 February 2026 and 19 March 2026. The survey was distributed 
to all 27 EU Member States, and 26 replies were received. The questionnaire was designed to gather 
both quantitative and qualitative evidence on Member States’ assessment of the current work plan, its 
implementation, its contribution to national policymaking, the suitability of its working methods, and 
priorities for a possible next work plan in light of the Culture Compass for Europe and the draft Joint 
Declaration ‘Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe’. 

The questionnaire combined closed and open-ended questions. It included rating questions using four-
point  scales,  yes/no  questions,  multiple-selection  questions  and  open  text  fields  allowing  Member 
States to explain ratings, provide examples, and set out priorities in more detail. The survey covered 
five broad areas: (i) overall assessment of the relevance and implementation of the work plan; (ii) its 
contribution  to  policy  development  in  Member  States  across  the  21  themes  and  actions;  (iii) 
assessment  of  the  working  methods,  including  the  Open  Method  of  Coordination  (OMC), 
dissemination  and  working  arrangements;  (iv)  reflections  on  priorities  for  the  next  work  plan, 
including thematic and possible sectoral priorities; and (v) final comments. 

The analysis combined a descriptive review of the quantitative responses with a thematic assessment 
of the qualitative material. Closed-question responses were aggregated to identify overall patterns in 
Member  States’  assessments  and  preferences.  Open  responses  were  reviewed  to  identify  recurring 
themes,  illustrative  examples  and  explanations  of  ratings  or  priorities.  The  figures  produced  on  the 
basis of the survey data are presented in this annex. 

Preliminary  findings  from  the  survey  analysis  were  presented  to  the  Council’s  Cultural  Affairs 
Committee  in  Brussels  on  27 March  2026,  where  Member  States  had  an  opportunity  to  provide 
feedback on the initial results. This feedback informed the further refinement of the analysis presented 
in this report. 

21 

 
 
 
 
Analysis of replies from EU Member States 

Chart 1: Overall assessment of the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 and its implementation (MS 
ranking of the following statements) (%) 

the Work Plan established appropriate overarching
priorities

76

24

the Work Plan inspired the expansion of the cultural
policy agenda to new topics

the implementation of the Work Plan generally met the
expectations of my Member State

the 21 Work Plan themes have remained relevant for
the period 2023-2026

the Work Plan improved the cooperation between
Member States and the Commission on cultural policy
matters

the Work Plan improved the EU level cooperation
between Member States on cultural policy matters

the Work Plan contributed to increased recognition of
the role of culture within other policy areas

the Work Plan informed existing areas of cultural
policymaking at Member State level

the Work Plan improved cooperation on international
cultural policy matters

48

44

44

44

44

36

28

28

48

56

56

48

44

52

68

64

4

8

8

12

4

8

the Work Plan improved cooperation with cultural
organisations at EU level

20

60

16

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Fully agree

Partly agree

Mostly disagree

Disagree

Source: Survey for MS on the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026, data compiled by Panteia, 2026 

Chart 2: How suitable do you rate the following working methods to achieving the ambitions of the work 
plan? (%) 

OMC groups

Commission-led expert groups and roundtables

58

Workshops

Peer-learning activities

Think-tank meetings

Stock-taking exercises

50

43

33

33

92

25

25

4

4

25

13

4

33

52

38

33

17

4

4

8

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Very suitable

Suitable

Somewhat suitable

Not suitable

Source: Survey for MS on the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026, data compiled by Panteia, 2026 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Chart 3: How do you rate the following statements on work arrangements and performance aspects 
regarding the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) groups? (%) 

86

14

Elected chairpersons/co-chairs have facilitated
constructive debates and helped achieving desired
outcomes

The OMC groups enabled the pursuit of objectives
efficiently, while maintaining a manageable level of
effort for administrations

Experts nominated had the necessary expertise and
represented the views of their countries well

The Commission has provided relevant expertise and
the necessary logistical and secretarial support to the
work of the OMC groups

Oral and written reporting arrangements to the
Council structures have worked effectively

The communication channels between experts and the
competent national authority worked well

The OMC groups were given a mandate that was
sufficiently clear, precise and realistic

The deliverables of the OMC groups met the
expectations of my Member State

71

68

67

63

57

58

54

25

27

5

25

8

38

43

42

42

4

8

The OMC groups had sufficient time to work

46

46

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fully agree

Partly agree

Mostly disagree

Disagree

Source: Survey for MS on the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026, data compiled by Panteia, 2026 

Chart 4: Do you think that the next EU work plan should introduce discussions on specific cultural and 
creative sectors? (%) 

42

58

Yes

No

Source: Survey for MS on the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026, data compiled by Panteia, 2026 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chart 5: What themes would you prioritise in the next work plan?* (% selected) 

79

67

50

50

38

38

Artificial intelligence and culture / cultural and
creative sectors

Crisis preparedness, security and peace-building in
relation to culture and/or cultural heritage

Strategic investment in culture and innovative
financing tools (private capital, public-private
partnerships, philanthropy, etc.): e.g. EU guidelines

Access to culture (in general or for some segments of
the population, e.g. people with disabilities)

Freedom of artistic expression

Fair, just, healthy and safe working conditions for
artists and cultural professionals

Societal resilience through culture

Culture for health and well-being: e.g. EU guidelines

Regional and territorial development, social cohesion
and convergence through culture and cultural heritage

Cultural and linguistic diversity

Safeguarding cultural heritage and intergenerational
transmission, incl. through digital means

Young people and culture: e.g. voluntary cooperation
on the mutual recognition of culture and cultural
heritage passes

Culture and heritage in the shift towards
environmental sustainability

Culture, arts, and education

International cultural relations

29

29

25

21

17

17

17

13

13

(*) Note: Member States could select up to five themes to prioritise 
Source: Survey for MS on the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026, data compiled by Panteia, 2026 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

24