Cultural Deal for Europe: Annual Policy Conversation 2026
The Cultural Deal for Europe Annual Policy Conversation, organised by Culture Action Europe (CAE), European Cultural Foundation (ECF), Europa Nostra (EN) and in collaboration with Bozar, has become a flagship event in Brussels. It is a key moment for high-level EU policymakers and the wider culture, cultural heritage and civil society sectors to take stock of current developments, discuss upcoming policy challenges and opportunities, and together shape the sector’s advocacy agenda for the year ahead.
The annual Cultural Deal for Europe event is a key moment for high-level EU policymakers and the wider culture, cultural heritage and civil society sectors to take stock of the current cultural and political landscape, discuss upcoming policy challenges and opportunities, and shape a strong advocacy agenda for the year ahead.
The year 2026 will be pivotal for the negotiations on the EU’s long-term budget for 2028–2034. The Cultural Deal 2026 event will focus on the strategies and alliances needed to secure a strong cultural and cultural heritage foundation within the next EU budget, a robust civil society dimension across all relevant programmes and a well-conceived, properly resourced AgoraEU program that brings culture, media and European rights and values under one roof. The event will also explore how the recently launched Culture Compass for Europe can unlock culture’s full potential for Europe, help address key European challenges and foster innovative partnerships.
Programme
15:00 – Introduction and housekeeping rules by moderator Fabien Miclet, European Affairs Consultant
15:05 – Welcome words by Christophe Slagmuylder, CEO & Artistic Director, Bozar
15:10 – Introduction by André Wilkens, Director, European Cultural Foundation
15:20 – MEP Nela Riehl, Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education, in conversation with Fabien Miclet (incl. Q&A)
15:40 – A stronger Europe needs stronger culture and civil society in the next EU budget.
Moderated discussion with MEP Helder Sousa Silva (BUDG), MEP Marcos Ros Sempere (REGI), MEP Hannes Heide (CULT) and MEP Zoltán Tarr (CULT). Moderated by Fabien Miclet.
16:20 – Open exchange (agora) with civil society actors & stakeholders. Facilitated by Fabien Miclet
17:00 – Special address by Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, followed by a conversation with Lars Ebert, Secretary-General, Culture Action Europe
17:20 – Concluding remarks by Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailovic, Secretary-General Europa Nostra
17:30 – 18:30 | Networking reception
Following an enthusiastic response, registration is now closed. A video recording will be made available online after the event for those unable to attend in Brussels.
Stay tuned for more in the newsletters of ECF, CAE and Europa Nostra, updates on the Cultural Deal page or on LinkedIn.