Hundreds demand action to save Creative Europe
More than 800 cultural sector professionals, representing 479 organisations from 40 countries, believe that the future EU budget must include a strong, standalone Creative Europe programme.
As the European Commission prepares to present its first proposal for the next long-term EU budget 2028-2034 in mid-July, Culture Action Europe reiterates its call to European policymakers, and above all, to the Commission President:
- Creative Europe must remain a self-standing programme dedicated to culture and creativity.
- Its budget must be significantly increased to 2% of total EU spending.
Currently, Creative Europe accounts for just 0.2% of the EU budget, or €2.44 billion over seven years. This is disproportionate not only to the sector’s economic contribution (an estimated €11 return in GDP for every euro invested) but also to its value in fostering social cohesion, shared identity, and resilience across Europe.
It’s like watching a two-hour film and being shown only 15 seconds. Like slicing a cake into 500 pieces and offering artists just one. Like giving culture less than a day on the calendar.
And no metaphor can truly capture the existential, transformative power of a great book, a breathtaking performance, or a bold work of art.
We see future Creative Europe as strong, autonomous, and accessible. A programme respecting artistic freedom, with its own metrics and tailor-made funding schemes. A programme that supports diversity, emerging professionals, and widespread cultural participation.
To the EU institutions, we say: Ask. Pay. Trust.
Not only the artists and cultural organisations, but Creative Europe itself: a proven success story, backed by expertise and reputation.