Stand up for AgoraEU: Protect culture, media and civil society

Culture Action Europe is organising a public protest. 

• When: Thursday 29 October 2026, 09:30-11:30 CEST
• Where: Schuman Square, Brussels, Belgium 

The EU is now negotiating what it will fund between 2028 and 2034.
Should culture, media and civil society receive strong support under the future AgoraEU programme?
More than 1000 civil society organisations believe so.  

However, national governments have just proposed to cut the budget of AgoraEU by 30%. 

It would mean a third fewer books, films and performances, fewer independent investigations, and less support for organisations that defend our rights. That gives big tech more control over what we see and hear, makes it harder to challenge abuses of power, and leaves Europeans more vulnerable to foreign propaganda. 

We oppose these cuts, and there is still time to reverse them.

That’s why we’re coming together to tell national governments and the European Council that this proposal is unacceptable and damaging.

Join us to call for the funding our cultural and democratic life needs. 

Our main demands 

• Stop the 30% cut to AgoraEU.
• Secure a budget of at least €10 billion for culture, media, and civil society.
• Protect artistic and media freedom, independence and pluralism. 

Who is invited 

Artists, cultural workers and organisations, journalists and media professionals, civil society organisations, organisations defending democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Anyone who cares about Europe’s cultural and democratic future.  

What to expect 

A peaceful, creative gathering with banners, chants, performances and speeches. Come with colleagues and friends and help make our collective voice heard. Wear something pink: let’s be bold, hopeful and unmissable. 

The organisers will also hand over the letter against the cuts to the representatives of the European Council and the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU. 

Organised by Culture Action Europe, Civil Society Europe, European Civic Forum, and the European Federation of Journalists in partnership with the Future of Europe cohort.

Further practical details will follow.    

Can’t join in Brussels? Organise where you are.

If you’d like to take action, use our campaign tools and engage your circles locally. In our shared folder, you’ll find:

• talking points on the AgoraEU cuts
• social media images and texts
• a press release template to adapt for your local media

You can wear pink and share a photo tagging #StandUpforAgoraEU, invite colleagues for a local gathering, or contact your regional press. Even a small action counts, and every message tells decision-makers that people across Europe care.

find the campaign toolkit

If the URL link to the campaign toolkit above does not work, a compressed version can also be downloaded here.