Last November, the European Commission unveiled its Culture Compass for Europe, a policy framework to harness culture's potential across the bloc. This marked a long-awaited policy shift, finally treating culture as a strategic resource.
By proposing governance tools to track censorship, improve artists' working conditions and help young people engage in cultural activities, the Compass recognizes culture as a pillar of democratic resilience and safeguards our shared civic and cultural space. The planned State of Culture report in 2027 will help monitor artists' rights within the European Union and send a clear message to EU membership candidates.
The EU has finally found its direction to unlock culture's vast potential, but it has yet to find the means to deliver.
The next step is to turn the Compass into a Cultural Deal for Europe, backed by a tangible political commitment and financial support.
Culture and soft power
Democratic norms are under strain, both within Europe and in neighboring countries. When culture and heritage are attacked — from the frontlines in Ukraine, by governments in Georgia and Serbia, as well as in Hungary and Slovakia, or through the narrowing of civic space within the EU — Europe's democracy and freedom of expression become the real targets.
The EU's capacity to act can't rely solely on hard power. Its strength also depends on whether Europeans experience the continent as something that inspires and shapes their lives, rather than merely regulating them.
Europe's shared culture and heritage are core elements of its power: they foster a sense of belonging among citizens and communities.
By advancing a European model of cultural policy — treating culture as a public good rather than a market commodity — Brussels can strengthen its cultural leadership and reduce the influence of external digital platforms and propaganda.
European leaders are familiar with the case: culture contributes to economic and social prosperity, sustainability and cohesion, supports health and well-being, and underpins Europe's global influence.
Culture enables societies to imagine better futures. It is precisely this European vision — based on the rule of law, free expression and the ability to create and participate in culture — that demonstrators in Hungary, Georgia and Serbia have mobilized to defend.
2% for culture
Yet while EU institutions and member states aim to strengthen democratic resilience, protect fundamental rights, counter disinformation and reconnect with citizens, they still treat culture and cultural heritage as add-ons.
This requires using the Compass as a guiding framework to transform EU policy into a Cultural Deal for Europe and establishing it as a priority in the next long-term European budget for 2028-2034. Culture must be embedded in Europe's competitiveness, research, innovation, territorial cohesion and external action.
First, the EU needs to increase the budget of the AgoraEU program, launched to encourage citizens' active participation in cultural activities. The proposed €1.8 billion over seven years is the bare minimum to keep the sector afloat. On an annual basis, this is roughly comparable to the budget of the French National Library — nowhere near the scale Europe requires.
To increase funding, one option is to channel digital fines levied on Big Tech into AgoraEU. For instance, a recent €120 million fine on X could directly support European creators and artists. Even larger amounts could come from antitrust fines.
Culture should also be financed as a dedicated component across the key instruments of the next Multiannual Financial Framework: the European Competitiveness Fund, Horizon Europe, National and Regional Partnership Plans and Global Europe.
As a starting point, a tenfold increase in dedicated investment in culture and heritage across these programs is needed. That amounts to just 2% of the overall EU long-term budget — a modest investment with far-reaching impact.
Sign up to The Parliament's weekly newsletter
Every Friday our editorial team goes behind the headlines to offer insight and analysis on the key stories driving the EU agenda. Subscribe for free here.