English Course

Exit Course

Lesson 2: EU Cultural and Creativity policies

You don’t have access to this lesson

Please register or sign in to access the course content.

Introduction

The European Union recognizes the pivotal role of culture in shaping identity, building cohesion, and fostering mutual understanding. Through dedicated cultural and creative policies, the EU supports the cultural and creative sectors (CCS), preserves and promotes cultural heritage, and strengthens the sense of belonging among citizens. These policies link creativity with education, economy, and innovation, demonstrating that cultural heritage is both a symbolic and practical foundation for European integration.

Approaches

EU cultural and creative policies aim to:

  • Support the cultural and creative sectors (CCS).
  • Preserve and promote Europe’s cultural heritage.
  • Foster cross-border cooperation and networking.
  • Strengthen European identity through shared values and cultural exchange.

The EU’s strategy includes promoting youth creativity, encouraging cultural literacy in education, ensuring media pluralism, and harnessing culture as a driver of social and digital transformation.

Key Programmes and Initiatives

  1. Creative Europe Programme
    • The main EU funding programme for culture.
    • Supports audiovisual arts, music, publishing, and heritage.
    • Encourages networking and cross-border projects.
  2. European Capitals of Culture
    • Annual designation of cities showcasing their cultural wealth.
    • Impacts tourism, economy, and visibility of local culture.
  3. European Heritage Label
    • Recognizes sites of symbolic European importance.
  4. European Heritage Days
    • Promotes public access to cultural heritage across Member States.
  5. EU Prizes for Cultural Achievements
    • Include awards for Literature, Contemporary Architecture, and others.
    • Celebrate excellence and raise awareness of cultural richness.
  6. CulturEU Funding Guide
    • An interactive online tool to help institutions and communities find EU funding opportunities for their projects.

Through these initiatives, the EU highlights the importance of protecting shared heritage and making it accessible to the public, thereby enhancing cultural cohesion, mutual understanding, and a shared European identity.

Special attention is given to young people’s access to culture. The EU supports their creative development and equips them with skills for the modern world, ensuring that heritage is not only preserved but also renewed across generations.

Examples

  • Creative Europe supporting a cross-border music festival that promotes both traditional and contemporary arts.
  • A city named European Capital of Culture, such as Plovdiv (Bulgaria, 2019), using the title to boost tourism and civic pride.
  • A heritage site awarded the European Heritage Label, such as the Peace Palace in The Hague, representing shared European values.

Application

Task: Select one EU cultural initiative (e.g., Creative Europe, European Capitals of Culture, European Heritage Days). Research how it has been applied in a specific country or city. Prepare a short presentation explaining:

  1. What was funded or promoted?
  2. What impact did it have locally and/or at the European level?
  3. How did it contribute to safeguarding or promoting ICH?

Reflection questions

  • How do EU cultural policies strengthen the idea of a shared European identity?
  • Which programme (Creative Europe, Heritage Label, Capitals of Culture, EU prizes) seems most effective in promoting ICH? Why?
  • How can these policies balance local uniqueness with the need for European cohesion?

Files to Download / Further Reading

Council Resolution on the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023–2026 (2022/C 466/01)

EU competences in cultural heritage

0 of 70 lessons complete (0%)