On the morning of 29 October, two weeks after the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU proposed a 30% cut to AgoraEU, a wave of pink energy and joyful anger stormed Schuman Square, reclaiming it as what an agora should be: a space for people to gather and speak up.
The Action Group on International Cultural Relations (ICR) will meet again on 9 November to build upon previous discussions of core principles, narratives, scope and priorities that should underpin a future EU ICR strategy to take the next steps towards building recommendations.
The text below is adapted from the press release shared by the organisers of the #StandUpForAgoraEU protest that took place in Brussels on 29 October 2026. More than 150 people gathered to speak out against the 30% cuts proposed by the Irish Presidency of the Council to the AgoraEU programme.
Culture Action Europe launches the second edition of the State of culture Report.
Culture Action Europe launches the second edition of the State of Culture report.
Culture Action Europe organises a protest on 29 October to oppose 30% cuts to the AgoraEU budget.
Almost 1000 organisations call on the EU Council to preserve and defend a robust AgoraEU budget.
Culture Action Europe opposes the Irish Presidency’s proposed 30% cut to AgoraEU. It would deliver minimal savings for the EU budget while weakening support for culture, media and democracy. We call on Member States to reverse them and restore at least the Commission’s proposed allocation.