On 26 May, the Commission has launched new actions to support the cultural and creative sectors in Europe and beyond, following the adoption of the work programme for the first year of the Creative Europe 2021-2027programme.

The total programme budget of €2.4 billion over seven years has increased by 63% compared to the previous one. Creative Europe also aims to increase the competitiveness of cultural sectors, while supporting their efforts to become greener, more digital and more inclusive. Special attention is given to reinforcing the resilience and recovery of the cultural and creative sectors in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Creative Europe programme in 2021 sets out common goals for the cultural and creative sectors. It puts a stronger emphasis on transnational creation, global circulation and promotion of European works, innovation across sectors, and ease of funding access through higher EU co-financing rates. All funded actions and projects should respect gender equality and the EU’s environmental commitments in the design and implementation of their activities.

Actions covered by Creative Europe include:

• A scheme to support the translation of literary works and the development of publishing partnerships;
• EU Prizes in the fields of literature, music, architecture and cultural heritage, as well as the European Capitals of Culture and European Heritage Label initiatives;
• Strengthening the accessibility and visibility of European audiovisual works across platforms and borders;
• Creative Innovation Lab – encouraging innovative approaches to content creation, distribution, and promotion across different sectors;
• Promotion of media literacy, pluralism and freedom, as European values.

For more information

Press release

Creative Europe 2021-2027 factsheet

Creative Europe 2021 annual work programme