our current strategy
Culture Action Europe’s (CAE) strategy for 2025-2027 emerges at a time when the crises of the past decade have grown more existential: the climate emergency, health crises, social inequality, migration, big tech, and threats to democracy heavily impact our societies. The cultural sector, though suffering in this context, is also uniquely positioned to be an essential part of the solution. By generating new knowledge, applying critical thinking, and developing new narratives and future visions, culture can disrupt, inspire, foster social cohesion, enhance our ability to navigate ambiguities, process traumatic pasts, utilise contested heritage productively, create jobs, care for people, and reimagine our economies and societies on a large scale.
CAE has thoroughly discussed and structured its approach to addressing the current context as a political voice of the cultural sector. The 2025-2027 strategy, drafted by the CAE Secretary General and President, was further elaborated by the CAE board and team, discussed with CAE members during the Open Space Methodology session at the CAE Members Forum 2023 in Elefsina, Greece, and reworked into its present form.
Key concepts of the current strategy
By integrating the concepts of “care” and “beyond” into its strategy, CAE demonstrates a commitment to a cultural ecosystem that is sustainable, inclusive, and democratic. This approach not only considers present needs but envisions and prepares for a future where culture is fundamental to thriving societies.
Three thematic areas
To fulfil its mission of maintaining ongoing dialogue and advocating for transformative cultural policies, CAE has identified three thematic areas for the strategic period 2025-2027, which will guide all of our programs, activities, and advocacy efforts:
- Democracy and Leadership. CAE will advocate for policies and engage in initiatives that support culture-driven social innovation and foster more inclusive societies. We will support policy decisions that are driven by ethical considerations, empowering communities to actively participate in shaping cultural narratives and policies for a sustainable and democratic future. This will necessarily include international collaboration outside Europe.This theme also contributes to the empowerment of our sectors to take a leadership role in the transformation of our societies. In this capacity, CAE will take the lead in coordinating the joint actions with other European cultural networks.
- Sustainable Development. CAE will advocate for a strong cultural sector that contributes to the sustainable development of our planet and for the role of culture as a vector that crosscuts all other sectors as an enabler (ex. Culture, health and well-being, research, education, innovation etc.)
- The Cultural Ecosystem. CAE will advocate for fair working conditions for cultural practitioners, as well as appropriate funding (including EU funding for culture) for projects and organisations that act as a transformative force for a sustainable future. CAE will take the lead in shaping the strategic framework for culture, including proposals related to AI and digital.
CAE strategic documents