The EU plays a key role in supporting and promoting culture across EU countries, recognising its importance to society, the economy and international relations. 

Through various initiatives and funding programmes, the EU works to preserve Europe’s rich cultural heritage, foster favourable ecosystems for cultural and creative industries, and promote cultural diversity. While individual EU countries are responsible for their own policies for the cultural sector, the EU helps address common challenges such as the impact of digital technologies, changing models of cultural governance and the need to support the cultural and creative sectors in innovating.

The Creative Europe programme is the main source of EU funding for the culture and creative sectors. Since 2014, it has supported projects that foster cultural diversity, promote artistic expression, and boost the economic potential of the creative industries. The programme is divided into 2 strands, Culture and MEDIA, and supported by a cross-sectoral strand promoting innovative actions and collaboration across different cultural and creative sectors. 

Under the Culture strand, initiatives like Culture Moves Europe support cultural mobility in Europe and beyond. This initiative offers mobility grants for artists and cultural professionals across 40 participating countries, covering the sectors of architecture, cultural heritage, design and fashion design, literature, music, performing arts and visual arts. There are 2 types of grants, for individual mobility and residency hosts. The latest call for individual mobility is open for submission of applications until 30 November 2024.

There are many other EU funding programmes that support culture and creativity. Anyone looking to apply can use the CulturEU funding guide. This interactive webtool presents available funding opportunities for the cultural and creative sectors in EU programmes 2021-2027.

To increase the visibility of Europe’s culture and audiovisual sectors, the EU supports a variety of actions, initiatives, and prizes. These are designed to reward achievement and raise awareness of Europe’s culture and heritage. Initiatives like the European Capitals of Culture, an annual designation for cities demonstrating a strong cultural offering, boost local economies and increase tourism. European Heritage Label promotes sites of symbolic European significance. The European Union Prize for Literature and the EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture celebrate excellence in literature and architecture, respectively. Music Moves Europe serves as the framework for the Commission’s initiatives and actions in support of the European music sector.

By investing in culture, the EU not only strengthens European identity and unity but also contributes to economic growth, social cohesion, and the well-being of its citizens.