EU to benefit from record-breaking support for culture

MEPs have approved a €2.5bn investment in the EU cultural and creative sectors until 2027, with more support for live music, greater focus on inclusivity and promoting female talent.

In adopting the Creative Europe programme, the European Parliament has agreed the biggest ever financial commitment to culture and creativity. The budget has almost doubled from the €1.4bn allocated between 2014 and 2020.

The new programme includes an obligation to support women’s artistic and professional careers.

Culture and Education Committee Chair Sabine Verheyen said: “Around 3.8 % of Europeans work in European cultural and creative sectors. However, this sector has always faced challenges such as competition with big commercial productions and the very fragmented transnational cultural market."

"This significantly better funded programme recognises the added value of culture to our European way of life and is a first step towards helping it stand up to the challenges of globalisation and digitalisation."