Despite evidence of the CCS’s significant role in societal transformation, current EU policy frameworks fail to fully integrate and support these sectors. In the next legislature, the CCS can contribute to the Union's wider transformation agenda through a strategic focus on specific policy areas, according to a new report by a team of experts. The report was presented to the CULT Committee of the European Parliament on the 4th of September.
By Matthaios TsimitakisWhile the EU mostly plays a supportive and complementary role to Member States' cultural policies, it lacks a holistic approach to fully support Europe's cultural and creative sectors (CCS). This is the main conclusion of a comprehensive report, authored by a team of renowned researchers, which maps the institutional framework for EU CCS policy over the past five years and sets the stage for the next legislature.
During the European Parliament's 2019-2024 term, EU CCS policy was shaped by several major emergencies and structural challenges, such as the COVID-19 crisis, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the deepening climate crisis, according to the EU Culture and Creative Sectors Policy Report. The EU has successfully navigated through these challenges, but it it failed to form a long-term strategy for the CCS.
“Several obstacles (weights of the past) hold back the CCS from becoming mainstream partners in the European project. These obstacles include the dominance of short-term project funding, precarious economic conditions for many CCS actors, innovation systems that are often non-inclusive to the CCS, the lack of spaces that facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration, and technological developments that critically affect the way artistic creation and cultural interactions are organized,” stresses the report.
The importance of mainstreaming the CCS across the EU's strategic agenda to foster cross-sectoral collaborations lies in the fact that it can unlock the sectors' full potential in contributing to the EU's broader transformative goals.
The 2019-2024 Agenda for Culture was adopted in 2018 as a follow-up to the European Agenda for Culture of 2007. The two differed significantly, reflecting a shifting perspective in the EU institutions on the role of culture in European society. Whereas the 2007 EU Agenda for Culture was developed under the framework of enhancing cultural cooperation among Member States, focusing on the promotion of cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue, culture as a catalyst for creativity, and culture in external relations, the 2018 Agenda reflected new trends such demographic changes, the digital revolution, and evolving geopolitical landscapes. It placed a stronger emphasis on the potential for culture to contribute to wider societal and economic objectives, such as fostering social inclusion, driving innovation, and strengthening the EU's international standing through cultural diplomacy.
Significant crises affecting European societies, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, required urgent support for the CCS and led to updated approaches to cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations, as well as related multilevel governance. Long-term structural issues such as precarious working conditions in the CCS, the regulation of the digital environment, and the green transition demanded a different kind of attention. Policy priorities emphasise sustainability, climate neutrality, inclusiveness, and affordability as crucial digital and green transition elements.
The main objectives of the term were to safeguard democracy and pluralism, strengthen the socio-economic resilience of CCS actors, ensure a fair online ecosystem for culture and media, stimulate a green and just transition in and with CCS, support innovation in and with CCS, highlight the role of culture for well-being, and respond with culture to changing geopolitical frameworks and conflicts.
The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) and the anti-SLAPP Directive were adopted to "safeguard media independence and protect journalists.". The CCS were increasingly recognized for their role in promoting well-being, innovation, and sustainable development, with strategic frameworks highlighting the importance of culture in driving positive societal change.
Additionally, on the level of Digital technology, key policy instruments like the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), the Digital Services Act (DSA), and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) took steps to create a fairer digital market and protect Media pluralism. The strategic framework for the EU's cultural policy is implemented through various documents, including the New European Agenda for Culture, Work Plans for Culture, the European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage, and the EU strategy for international cultural relations. The audiovisual and media sectors are also covered by the European Democracy Action Plan (EDAP) and the European Media and Audiovisual Action Plan (MAAP).
Other key EU institutions and bodies involved in CCS policy development include the Council of the EU, the European Commission, and various international organizations and EU agencies. The EU's policy approach utilizes a range of instruments, such as regulatory frameworks, financial support programmes, and structured dialogue mechanisms.
The study recommends the strategic goal of supporting the CCS as an investment in creating better futures in the 2024-2029 legislative term. It underlines the importance of a "comprehensive and holistic approach" beyond the current "fragmented efforts." This includes integrating the CCS into broader transformation policies, recognizing the power of storytelling and artistic expression in driving societal change, and improving cross-sectoral cooperation capacities between the CCS and other sectors. In the words of the report to "embed CCS elements into the EU's broader transformation agendas" beyond the cultural sphere.
The study outlines several concrete policy proposals for the EU's approach to the CCS in the 2024-2029 legislative term.
Supporting the CCS as an investment in creating better futures
This includes integrating the CCS into broader transformation policies, recognizing their power in driving societal change, and embedding CCS elements into the EU's broader transformation agendas beyond the cultural sphere. The report calls for improving cross-sectoral cooperation capacities between the CCS and other industries.
Updating CCS ecosystems to build sustainable ground
This involves addressing structural deficits and ensuring fair working conditions for CCS professionals, investing in democratic culture and media institutions, and enabling better international cooperation in and with the CCS.
Providing safe spaces to nourish cultural interaction and cohesion
This includes addressing access barriers to physical, digital, and hybrid spaces for artistic creation and cultural interaction, preventing aggression and harm in these interaction spaces, and ensuring the well-being of individuals through cultural and media expressions.
Enhance cooperative governance options
This entails improving horizontal governance between EU institutions to better integrate the CCS, as well as enhancing multilevel governance with other strategic partners to support the CCS.
The EU culture and creative sectors policy study was presented to the CULT committee of the European Parliament on Wednesday, September 4.
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Image: Cathal Duane for Fine Acts
