European Cultural Compass: MEPs to outline their priorities
On Monday, MEPs and the Commission will debate the upcoming European Cultural Compass to provide a more strategic and coherent approach to EU cultural policy.
MEPs are expected to highlight the need for adequate funding for the EU’s cultural and creative sectors in the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) through the Erasmus+ and Creative Europe programmes. They are expected to recall challenges faced by the sector, such as inadequate working conditions for artists and the challenges presented by artificial intelligence.
MEPs are also set to argue that ensuring citizens can access culture and cultural education, which stimulates creativity and critical thinking, will enhance the EU’s resilience and competitiveness.
Background
Entrusted by the President of the Commission to develop an “overarching strategic framework to guide and harness the multiple dimensions of culture”, Commissioner Glenn Micallef referred to the Cultural Compass as a “game changer in the sector” in his confirmation hearing. The Commission is expected to present the Cultural Compass by the end of 2025.
Currently, there are 20 EU funding instruments for culture. Creative Europe, the EU flagship programme to support creative and cultural industries, has a budget of €2.4 billion for the 2021-2027 period.
In 2023, around 7.8 million people worked in the cultural and creative sectors in Europe, accounting for 3.8% of total employment in the EU. According to 2022 statistics, over two million cultural enterprises generated €199 billion in revenue - 2% of the entire EU economy.
Debate: Monday, 31 March
Procedure: Commission statement, no resolution