With days before budget draft, CAE again calls on Ursula von der Leyen

With only days remaining before the European Commission publishes its draft proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework, Culture Action Europe has sent a letter to President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioner Piotr Serafin. We reiterated our call for a bold commitment to a standalone Creative Europe, including a budget of 2% of the EU’s next long-term budget post-2027.

Last week, a leaked draft of the next Creative Europe programme revealed serious concerns around potential restructuring and a risk that culture funding could lose its visibility and autonomy. Hundreds of organisations and thousands of professionals have already joined Culture Action Europe’s Ask, Pay, Trust the Artist campaign, demanding urgent action to safeguard and scale up Creative Europe funding.

The letter below outlines what is at stake, not just for cultural organisations, but for Europe’s competitiveness, democracy, and shared values. We invite everyone who cares about culture to read, share, and join this call to action today.

11 July 2025

Dear President von der Leyen,

Dear Commissioner Serafin,

What is smaller than a star on a €100 note?

The EU’s investment in Creative Europe.

Just 0.2% of the EU budget, and yet it keeps Europe creative, cohesive, and competitive.

Creative Europe has supported over 2500 projects and 5000 organisations already halfway through the current Multiannual Financial Framework.

Creative Europe has backed NGOs and SMEs, improved access to European audiences, and contributed to the single market in services and intellectual property.

Creative Europe has helped cultural organisations adapt and avoid structural collapse during the pandemic.

Creative Europe has reached thousands of communities and households across Europe, supporting individual livelihoods and families along the way.

Creative Europe has enabled long-term public value, including for future generations. It has empowered Europeans to develop creative skills, engage in meaningful work, connect across borders, and improve mental health and well-being.

We believe Creative Europe should remain a self-standing programme with a dedicated cultural funding stream in the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

As the programme is being restructured, both the Culture and Media strands of Creative Europe must be properly funded and deserve a meaningful budget increase. 

Every euro the EU invests in culture and creativity can generate up to €11 in GDP, according to the European Parliament Research Service. Imagine what could be achieved with investment that is proportionate to a sector that generates 4% of GDP and employs 8 million people. 

If the EU raised Creative Europe’s budget to 2% of the MFF (about €24 billion), that could add €266 billion to Europe’s GDP over seven years.

With 2%, the Commission could support 1,000,000 cultural and creative workers, giving them real jobs and reasons to innovate and thrive in Europe. That’s what keeps us competitive globally.

With 2%, the Commission could reach 10,000,000 people, including youth, women, marginalised groups, and rural communities, with genuine face-to-face cultural experiences. That’s what keeps our societies united and democratic.

With 2%, the Commission could support the creation and distribution of 5,000 films, translate 10,000 books, and run 500 festivals and concerts across Europe. Co-created, engaging content is the most effective tool we have to push back against the flood of propaganda. That’s our information hygiene and defense against hybrid threats.

Ultimately, it means millions of people connecting with European values, contributing to our markets, and helping defend Europe’s democratic sovereignty.

Ahead of the MFF proposal publication, 1,700 cultural and creative professionals are urging you to increase the Creative Europe budget and ensure that culture funding remains strong, visible, and autonomous in the next MFF.

Thank you for your leadership and consideration. 

Photo Credit: Studio Madonna