New Creative Europe programme set in motion
The Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU, in collaboration with the European Commission, organised an online conference to launch the New Creative Europe Programme on June 17-18 from the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos – where the Treaty of Lisbon was signed in 2007 – and the Centro Cultural de Belém.
The conference featured speakers from all over Europe – cultural agents, thinkers, politicians and governmental decision-makers –, with the aim of getting Europe behind the new Creative Europe Programme and fostering broad debate on the main innovations and new priorities for the 2021-2027 cycle, highlighting the links with other European Union funds and the relationships with current societal issues.
The new Creative Europe Programme provides support for the cultural and creative sectors, with funding of around 2.5 billion euros for the 2021-2027 period, which represents an increase of around 50% compared to the previous programme. The first calls under the Culture Strand of the new Creative Europe programme 2021-2027 have recently been published, with fresh funding opportunities for cooperation projects (deadline 7 September), European networks, and pan-European cultural entities (deadline for both 26 August). Calls and templates are already online. A general presentation and a video on how to apply is available here.
During the event, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel assured that Creative Europe will fund “projects for specific challenges” and “generalise good practices to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to be part of their community without discrimination”. The Commissioner also announced the adoption this week of European guidelines on the reopening of European cultural and creative activities to ensure not only a safe reopening but also a sustainable restart for the sectors.
On the other hand, Creative Europe will also facilitate the creation of “bridges between culture and the social sectors”, continuing to fulfil its two main objectives: “promoting and safeguarding European linguistic, cultural and heritage diversity” and “increasing the competitiveness of the cultural and creative sectors”, recalled Commissioner Gabriel, who also reiterated the focus on improving working conditions in the cultural ecosystem, as well as the announcement that a website displaying the various funding available for the cultural and creative sectors will be available after the summer.
The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) together with DG EAC organises an online info session to explain the new funding opportunities and application process under the Creative Europe – Culture Programme on Thursday 24 June 2021, from 9:30 – 13:00 (no prior registration is necessary).