Culture Action Europe unveils its blueprint for future cultural policies in Europe
As the MONDIACULT conference kicks off today in Barcelona—where the visions of the future cultural policies are being crafted—Culture Action Europe is proud to present its own discussion paper ‘Towards the Culture Compass: A Sector Blueprint.’
This discussion paper proposes a direction for European cultural policies, co-created by and for the sector, represented in its diversity.
As the European Commission prepares its new cultural strategy, the Culture Compass, expected in November 2025, approximately 30 cross-border European cultural networks, members of Culture Action Europe, have worked together to develop a complementary vision.
Networks collaborated around key priority topics: 1) artistic freedom; 2) working conditions; 3) artistic research, culture and innovation; 4) international cultural relations; 5) culture and health and well-being; 6) culture and sustainability; 7) cultural participation; 8) access to cultural and arts education; 9) culture and security; 10) culture and digital.
Ten policy briefs are interconnected and were drafted with the aim of strengthening the cultural ecosystem as a whole. Across the briefs, several common trends emerge:
- Culture is a foundational element of democratic and civic infrastructure, and access to culture and cultural participation is a fundamental right. This status should be clearly embedded in policies at every level.
- There is a shared call for stronger analysis and mutual learning. We see a clear need to consolidate the extensive body of studies, research, and expertise developed by the sector in recent years, including through EU-funded projects.
- We argue for stronger EU-level protections. Members call for more binding EU measures on urgent issues, such as an Artistic Freedom Act and a Directive on Decent Working Conditions in the Cultural Sector.
- Attention turns to the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, which will determine the funding architecture for culture. There is broad support for a visible and well-resourced Creative Europe – Culture Strand within the proposed AgoraEU programme, complemented by structural culture components in other funding instruments (European Competitiveness Fund, Horizon Europe, Global Europe Fund, National and Regional Partnership Plans, etc.).
- There is broad recognition that international cultural relations should be a key strand of EU cultural policy. Amid global tensions and conflicts, international cultural relations offer a way for the EU to act as a global partner focused on mutual benefit and reciprocity.
- Members consistently caution against instrumentalisation of culture. As set out in our State of Culture report, culture can contribute meaningfully to democracy, security and competitiveness only when core conditions are in place: artistic freedom, fair working conditions, and public support.
Culture Action Europe hopes that the Sector Blueprint will be a source of inspiration and provide constructive input for shaping the future of cultural policies in Europe. The Blueprint is intended as a discussion paper that will continue to evolve as new insights and feedback emerge.
CAE will present the discussion paper on 2 October during the next Campaign Meeting for Ask, Pay, Trust. More information and registration here.
Contributors:
Culture Action Europe
AMATEO – European network to promote and champion active participation in arts and culture
Association des Centres culturels de rencontre
Association Européenne des Conservatoires
Circostrada
Creative FLIP
ELIA – European League of Institutes of the Arts
European Choral Association
European Concert Hall Organisation
European Dance Development Network
European Festivals Association
European Folk Network
European Music Council
European Music Managers Alliance
European Music School Union
European Network of Cultural Centres
European Theatre Convention
EUNIC – European Union National Institutes for Culture
Goethe-Institut
IETM – International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts
Michael Culture Association
NEMO – Network of European Museum Organisations
On the Move
Opera Europa
REMA – European Early Music Network
Reset! network (Arty Farty association)
RESEO – European Network for Opera, Music & Dance Education
Trans Europe Halles
YOUROPE – The European Festival Association