January 14, 2019

The Council has agreed its position (partial general approach) on the Regulation establishing the Creative Europe programme for 2021-2027. The programme aims to safeguard, develop and promote European cultural and linguistic diversity and heritage, and to increase the competitiveness of the cultural and creative sectors, in particular the audiovisual sector. The agreement does not cover the budgetary aspects of the draft Regulation, since the final amounts will depend on the agreement reached on the next multiannual financial framework.

The key objectives of Creative Europe are:

• to enhance artistic and cultural cooperation, including the mobility of artists and professionals, at the European level;
• to promote the cooperation, competitiveness and innovation potential of the European audiovisual industry; and
• to support the creation, circulation and promotion of European works, including the promotion of a diverse and pluralistic media environment and media literacy.

The programme includes support for the translation and promotion of literary works across the EU, the development of audiovisual works and video games, the production of innovative TV content, European and international co-productions, and the distribution and sales of audio-visual works in Europe and beyond. Creative Europe also supports architecture and heritage protection projects, European cinema festivals and the music sector, as well as special actions such as the European capitals of culture, the European Heritage label and the European prizes for literature.

The Council now has a mandate to negotiate with the European Parliament this year. To read the Council’s press release in full, click here.