On February 4, 2025, cultural policymakers, civil society representatives, and European Union officials gathered online for the annual Cultural Deal for Europe Policy Conversation. Organized by Culture Action Europe (CAE), Europa Nostra, and the European Cultural Foundation (ECF), in collaboration with Bozar, the event came at a pivotal moment for European cultural policy.

With the EU on the verge of reshaping its strategic and financial priorities, discussions centered around the upcoming Culture Compass—a policy framework guiding the role of culture in Europe—and the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Find here MCA main takeaways. 

Context and Objectives: Why Culture Matters Now More Than Ever

This conversation took place at a crucial moment: the European Commission is about to embark on a new strategic direction – following the EU 2024 elections – and the EU budget is under revision. The Culture Compass, set to be introduced by Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture, and Sport, is meant to offer a structured approach to cultural policymaking. The policy conversation aimed to define what this strategy should encompass and how it will reflect Europe’s values and ambitions.

The Cultural Deal for Europe (CDEU)—a campaign launched by Culture Action Europe, Europa Nostra, and the European Cultural Foundation to ensure that culture remains at the heart of EU policymaking. The initiative started in response to concerns that cultural funding was being sidelined in broader EU financial planning. One of its core demands is the 2% cultural funding allocation, advocating that at least 2% of the EU budget should be dedicated to culture across all programs.

A great ensemble passed on the scene: members of the European Parliament from all parties and Committees, representatives from cultural institutions, EU cultural ministries and Commissioner Micallef himself.

Key Takeaways from the Policy Conversation

Culture is About Values, Not Just Economy – Georg Häusler

Georg Häusler, Director at the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport, and Culture (DG EAC), emphasized that cultural policy should not be reduced to economic metrics but should reflect the democratic values Europe wants to uphold. The Culture Compass, he told to the audience, will be structured around five core pillars:

• Freedom of Expression – Ensuring artistic and media independence.
• Safeguarding Cultural Heritage – Protecting heritage sites, especially in Ukraine.
• Access to Culture in the Regions – Ensuring inclusivity in cultural policies.
• Intellectual Property & AI – Addressing AI’s impact on cultural creation (MCA is active in this domain with Action Group on Digital & AI coordinated with CAE)
• Working Conditions for Artists – Improving fair pay and social security for cultural workers.

Häusler called for genuine debate, stressing that the Culture Compass should not just be a rhetorical exercise but a tangible framework for action.

Poland’s Presidency Takes a Strong Stand on Culture

Marta Cienkowska, Deputy Minister of Culture and National Heritage of Poland, outlined the priorities of the upcoming Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Even if the Presidency of the Council will be focused on the topic of security, culture will be the object of 4 key actions:

1. Council Conclusions on Young Artists and Working Conditions, addressing fair pay and sustainability for emerging artists that struggle to start.
2. Council Conclusions on AI in the Cultural and Creative Sectors (CCS), developing an EU-wide strategy on AI’s impact on cultural work.
3. Rebuilding Ukraine with EU cultural funds, ensuring culture is central to reconstruction efforts.
4. Helping the Commission with the drafting of the Culture Compass

Cienkowska passionately argued that culture is Europe’s “soft power” and a critical force in democratic resilience, particularly for nations like Ukraine and Georgia.

Commissioner Micallef: Europe’s Cultural Values are at Risk

Glenn Micallef, the new European Commissioner for Culture, delivered a strong message about the role of culture in preserving European democracy. He warned that fundamental cultural values are under threat and reaffirmed his commitment to engaging with civil society.

Commissioner Micallef is remarkable for his openness to dialogue and his willingness to listen. The readiness in terms of knowledge with which he arrived to the conversation was heartwarming. His support for structured civil society consultations was well received, offering a renewed sense of collaboration between policymakers and the cultural sector at large, in all its variety.

He said:

We need to take care of the cultural sector and its working conditions. We need to see the opportunities and challenges of emerging technological development and AI. We also need to see culture as a catalyst and an enabler in different policy areas” said the Commissioner.

Nela Riehl: Culture Must Work for Democracy

Nela Riehl, Chair of the Culture and Education Committee in the European Parliament, made a compelling case for integrating culture into broader policy areas. She emphasized that culture is a fundamental European value and should contribute to democratic strengthening. She affirmed she is committed to mainstream cultural policy in other sectors (e.g., social policy, digital regulation), seeing this as a priority. She then reiterated that improving working conditions for artists is non-negotiable and the effort of the previous years should be kept up. She defined herself an “ally” of the Culture Deal for EU – a much appreciated statement that paves the way for future collaboration and dialogue.

Beyond what has been said & what we need

Thanks to the conversation, audience realized the importance of an holistic approach to cultural funding. While Creative Europe remains a vital program, the discourse about cultural financing should not be limited to it. The 2% demand means that cultural considerations should be embedded across all EU funding streams, from regional development to digital innovation, from Erasmus+ to Horizon Europe.

Additionally, structured dialogue between policymakers and civil society is fundamental: policy discussions should not be limited to official statements but should allow for real debate and exchange of ideas. The organization of the Culture Compass and the actions of the EU parliament must happen in concertation with a diverse group of cultural stakeholders and civil society organizations. This seems the direction key policy makers hinted to and MCA salutes it.

As the Culture Compass takes shape and the MFF discussions progress, the key question remains: Will Europe prioritize culture as an essential part of its future? The policy conversation made it clear that culture is more than just an economic sector—it is a pillar of democracy, social cohesion, and European identity. The challenge now is ensuring that the momentum from this discussion translates into tangible policy commitments. Civil society organizations like MCA will need to maintain pressure to ensure that culture remains at the core of the EU’s strategic vision.