The Cultural Deal for Europe, a campaign launched in 2020 by a coalition of leading European cultural organizations - Culture Action Europe, European Cultural Foundation, and Europa Nostra calls on the European Union to fully integrate culture and cultural heritage into its core policies making it a central part of the EU's vision.
The initiative was sparked as the COVID-19 pandemic was devastating Europe's cultural sectors. The campaign argues that culture must be included in the EU's recovery efforts and long-term sustainable development plans, in the same way the Green Deal has made environmental concerns a priority. Endorsed by over 110 European cultural networks and thousands of organizations and individuals, the Cultural Deal for Europe has already achieved some important initial successes by advocating for a symbolic 2% target for culture in national plans.
In a
renewed statement looking ahead to the 2024 European Parliament elections, the Cultural Deal calls on the EU to:
-Ensure the effective use of recovery funds for the benefit of independent cultural scenes and heritage preservation
- Develop a new, ambitious EU cultural policy in partnership with civil society
-Find innovative ways to work with the philanthropic sector to support cultural emergencies
-Establish common standards for artists' and cultural workers' working conditions
-Fully integrate culture into the European Green Deal and sustainable development strategies
-Place culture at the heart of discussions on Europe's future
"We need a new European cultural agenda, we need a Cultural Deal for Europe!" the statement declares, arguing that culture must be a central part of Europe's political vision and policy agenda going forward.
With the 2024 European Parliament elections coming up, the campaign hopes to make culture a key issue that political parties and candidates must address. European culture and heritage, they say, are fundamental to the continent's identity and future - and can no longer be relegated to the sidelines.
Find out more and
support the campaign here
