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Questions and answers on a Culture Compass for Europe
- Why is the Culture Compass for Europe needed?
The need for strategic direction and strengthened political commitment for cultural policy in Europe has become increasingly pressing. The European Parliament, the Council, and stakeholders across the EU have stressed the importance of having an EU strategic framework for culture.
In response, building on previous initiatives such as the Commission's New European Agenda for Culture (2018) and the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026, the Commission is presenting a Culture Compass for Europe- a long-term strategic vision for culture and cultural heritage.
Recognising the potential of culture to unite, the Compass is accompanied by a draft Joint Declaration to be agreed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission as a revived joint political commitment to promoting and supporting culture in Europe.
- How is the Culture Compass structured?
The Culture Compass sets out a new strategic vision ‘Europe for Culture, Culture for Europe', with 4 key directions to guide EU policymaking - i) an EU that upholds and strengthens European values and cultural rights; ii) an EU that empowers artists and cultural professionals, and supports people; iii) an EU that draws on culture and cultural heritage to become more competitive, resilient and cohesive; and iv) an EU that champions international cultural relations and partnerships.
It identifies 20 flagship actions for the Commission to take, in cooperation with Member States and all relevant stakeholders. Moreover, the Compass aims to serve as the strategic anchor for culture within the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2035.
- How will the Culture Compass safeguard artistic freedom?
The Commission will devote particular attention to artistic freedom in its State of Culture report, by systematically including a specific focus on artists' experiences in relation to artistic freedom. It will also advocate for the full respect of artistic freedom as part of the future AgoraEU programme, as part of the next EU long-term budget.
Safeguarding artistic freedom is also a relevant part of the broader democratic fabric of our societies, and the European Democracy Shield aims to protect and promote democracy and societal resilience in the long run.
- How will the Compass improve the working conditions of artists and cultural professionals?
The Compass announces a future EU Artists Charter to set out fundamental principles, guidance, and commitments for fair working conditions in the sector, and to strengthen compliance and accountability — particularly among recipients of EU cultural funding. A high-level EU exchange with stakeholders and social partners will contribute to shaping the Charter and ensuring it reflects the needs of the cultural and creative community.
- What role for youth in the Culture Compass?
The Commission will support the mutual recognition of culture and cultural heritage passes issued at national level, and expand initiatives such as the DiscoverEU Culture Route, which allows young people to explore Europe's diversity each year, and the EU youth discount card under Erasmus+. The Commission will also establish a Youth Cultural Ambassadors network to discuss culture policy matters.
- What actions are proposed for promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, and expanding access to and participation in culture?
The Commission will deepen research and support investment to make it easier for people to find diverse online cultural content created in Europe to foster its consumption within and outside the EU. It will also propose a new EU Prize for Performing Arts.
The Commission will promote stronger cross-sector cooperation between culture and education policies, and develop EU guidelines on culture, health and well-being for policymakers and stakeholders building on the Commission's 2023 comprehensive approach to mental health. The Commission will also prepare a report to support Member States in increasing the participation of and support to persons with disabilities in culture.
AI brings opportunities for innovation and competitiveness, while raising serious challenges, notably concerning copyright and the unauthorised use of copyright-protected content in the training of generative AI models, and the proliferation of AI-generated content and its impact on creators' rights and revenues, jobs and skills, as well as cultural diversity.
The EU has been developing a regulatory framework that supports creators and other sectoral players by protecting creative content, supporting fair remuneration, and setting standards for trustworthy and human-centric AI. The Culture Compass for Europe will therefore build on existing initiatives and develop an AI strategy for cultural and creative sectors. The Commission will take into account the specific needs of the sectors in future digital policies so that Europe is able to leverage its cultural richness and human creativity in tandem with technological advances.
- How will the Compass harness the potential of culture as a driver of regional development and territorial cohesion?
The Culture Compass aims to harness the potential of the cultural and creative sectors and industries to boost the attractiveness of territories, reduce regional and territorial disparities, and improve people's overall quality of life. The Commission will propose a new legal base to expand the European Capitals of Culture initiative beyond 2033.
Sustainable cultural tourism also plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting Europe's cultural heritage and boosting competitiveness, a role that will be further reinforced through the forthcoming EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy and a peer-learning project to expand opportunities for cultural and creative professionals in rural areas. The Commission will support urban growth, sustainable design and neighborhoods' dynamism through the extension of the New European Bauhaus Facility 2025-2027.
- How will the Culture Compass improve the resilience of cultural heritage?
The Commission will renew and strengthen the European Heritage Label to ensure its continued relevance, support the digitisation and digital transformation of the cultural heritage sector, with initiatives like the Cultural Heritage Cloud and the Common European Data Space for Cultural Heritage.
The Commission will also enhance cooperation and crisis preparedness through instruments such as the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, initiatives like PROCULTHER or the EU funded ICCROM-led READY project, and through cutting-edge research under Horizon Europe. EU support for the cultural sectors' greening efforts will continue with the ambitious new European R&I Partnership for Resilient Cultural Heritage, co-funded by Horizon Europe.
The Commission will continue collaborating with the International Council of Museums and relevant stakeholders, and implementing the EU Action Plan against Trafficking in Cultural Goods and similar initiatives.
- What can the Compass do for international partnerships and cultural cooperation?
For the value of culture to be recognised as a key strategic pillar of EU external action, the Commission, together with the High Representative / Vice-President, will update the EU Strategy on international cultural relations. Cooperation will be further reinforced through a more systematic application of the Team Europe approach, a new phase of the Cultural Relations Platform, and continued close cooperation with the EU National Institutes for Culture network.
The Commission will launch a new phase of the EU4Culture Programme in the Eastern Neighbourhood region, and as part of the new Pact for the Mediterranean, a new Euro-Med initiative for culture, sport and tourism will be launched. The Commission will also seek to reinforce its engagement on culture in multilateral fora - such as UNESCO, the G7 and the G20.
- What mechanisms will support the implementation of the Compass?
The Commission will establish an EU cultural data hub to collect and analyse cultural data, monitoring trends, and pooling best practices. The hub will support the preparation of the State of Culture report, to provide insights into the European cultural landscape and assess progress regarding the development of the cultural and creative ecosystem, with a specific emphasis on artistic freedom. Additionally, an EU structured dialogue will discuss, with cultural and creative stakeholders, the State of Culture report and progress on delivering the key directions of the Culture Compass.
Continued and dedicated EU financial support for Europe's cultural and creative sectors and industries will continue to be secured through Creative Europe under the current MFF. The Culture Compass for Europe will serve as the strategic anchor for culture within the proposed AgoraEU programme for 2028-2034 MFF, and in other relevant EU instruments, including the European Competitiveness Fund, Horizon Europe, the National and Regional Partnership Plans, and the Global Europe instrument. Furthermore, the Commission will develop guidelines on strategic investment in culture and explore new financial tools to mobilise private capital and facilitate investment.