European Parliament Members Reflect on Culture Legacy as New Term Begins

Lawmakers on the Committee for Culture and Education (CULT) have released a comprehensive review of their work over the past five years. Here is a summary

By Creatives Unite Newsroom
June 07, 2024
The report highlights some significant achievements, including securing a budget increase for the Creative Europe programme to support the continent's creative industries. MEPs also played a key role in shaping the new European Capitals of Culture initiative, ensuring it could adapt to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notably, the Parliament pushed for the European Commission to propose an EU-wide framework to address the precarious working conditions many artists and cultural professionals face. This resulted in a legislative proposal for new rules on fair remuneration and social protection.

Beyond legislative outputs, CULT members produced a series of influential reports tackling emerging policy challenges. These include harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence in the cultural sector, promoting diversity in the music streaming market, and safeguarding the future of Europe's book industry.

With around half the CULT Committee's current members seeking re-election, there is hope for some continuity in the Parliament's cultural priorities. However, the report acknowledges the potential risks of significant turnover, which could disrupt the momentum built up over the past five years.

Read the report here and the full official report here