Brussels, 21st November 2019
Dear President of the European Council, Dear Member States representatives,
We are writing as a group of 90 organisations from across Europe’s cultural and creative sectors ahead of the European Council discussions on the future EU budget.
At this key juncture of the negotiations on a future EU Multi-Financial Framework (2021-2027), we call on you to support the European Parliament’s proposed budget for the Creative Europe Programme 2021-2027(1), the only EU framework Programme dedicated to cultural and creative sectors.
Today, Creative Europe represents a mere 0,15% of the overall EU Budget. This is by no means proportionate to our sectors’ contribution to the EU economy, which stands at €509bn in value added to GDP and over 12 million full-time jobs (7.5% of the EU’s work force)(2).
Our culture and our talents support artistic freedom and media pluralism, which are crucial for maintaining open, inclusive and creative societies. Yet, culture is low on the EU’s political agenda, and these sectors remain structurally underfinanced. The financing gap for Europe’s cultural and creative SMEs alone is estimated to be somewhere between €8bn and €13bn(3).
This is why we welcome the European Parliament’s proposal to increase the Creative Europe budget to €2.8bn. We call on the Council to support this much-needed boost to the future of Europe’s arts, culture and heritage, and the values they promote.
The contribution of Europe’s cultural and creative sectors to the social, economic and artistic development of Europe fully justifies the added value of EU investment in culture.
Our common values and our unique cultural diversity lie at the center of our collective European project and are the best ambassadors for the EU’s global influence in the world.
Investing in our culture is investing in our future. Let’s show a high level of ambition and shape a brighter future for Europe.
(1) Proposal for a regulation establishing the Creative Europe programme (2021 to 2027) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1295/2013 (COM(2018) 366 final)
(2) European Parliament report on a coherent EU policy for cultural and creative industries (2016/2072(INI))
(3) European Commission Impact assessment accompanying the Proposal for a Regulation establishing the InvestEU Programme. SWD(2018) 314 final
The undersigned organisations
- AEC – Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen
- AEPO ARTIS
- AER – Association of European Radios
- ANIMATION in EUROPE
- b.creative – the global network for cultural & creative entrepreneurs
- CEM – Centre Européen de Musique
- CEPI- EUROPEAN AUDIOVISUAL PRODUCTION
- CEPIC – Centre of the Picture Industry
- CICAE – Confédération Internationale des Cinémas d’Art et d’Essai
- CAE – Culture Action Europe
- CEATL – European Literary Translators
- CILECT – International Association of film and television schools
- Circostrada Network
- Cumulus
- EAA – European Association of Archaeologists
- EAS – European Association for Music in Schools
- EBU – European Broadcasting Union
- ECCD – European Coalition for Cultural Diversity
- E.C.C.O. – European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers’ Organisations
- ECF – European Cultural Foundation
- ECSA – European Composer & Songwriter Alliance
- EDN – European Dance Network
- EFA – European Festivals Association
- EFAITH – European Federation of Associations of Industrial and Technical Heritage
- EFFORTS
- EGDF – European Games Developer Federation
- EIFB – European and International Booksellers Federation
- ELIA – European League of Institutes of the Arts
- EMA – European Museum Academy
- EMC – European Music Council
- EMCY – European Union of Music Competitions for Youth
- EMEE – European Music Exporters Exchange
- EMMA – European Music Managers Alliance
- EMU – European Music School Union
- ENCATC – European Network on cultural management and policy
- ENCC – European Network of Cultural Centres
- ERIH – European Route of Industrial Heritage
- ETC – European Theatre Convention
- European Choral Association – Europa Cantat
- Eurocinema
- Europa Cinemas
- Europa Distribution, The European Network of Independent Film Publishers and Distributors
- Europa International
- European Jazz Network
- Europa Nostra
- Europavox
- European Heritage Alliance 3.3
- European Mozart Ways
- EUYO – European Union Youth Orchestra
- Eurozine – European Network of Cultural Journals
- ESNS
- EWC – European Writers’ Council
- FEDEC – European Federation of Professional Circus Schools
- FEP – Federation of European Publishers
- FERA – Federation of European Film Directors
- FIA – International Federation of Actors
- FIAD – International Federation of Film Distributors’ Associations
- FIAPF – International Federation of Film Producers Association
- FIM – International Federation of Musicians
- FSE – The Federation of Screenwriters in Europe
- GESAC – European Grouping of Societies of Authors and Composers
- gigmit
- IAMIC – International Association of Music Information Centres
- IAO – International Artist Organisation of Music
- ICMP – International Confederation of Music Publishers
- ICOMOS – the International Council on Monuments and Sites
- IETM – International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts
- IFPI – International Federation of the Phonographic Industry
- IMPALA – Independent Music Companies Association
- IMPF – Independent Music Publishers International Forum
- IMMF – International music managers forum
- IMZ International Music + Media Centre
- INES – Innovation Network of European Showcase Festivals
- IN SITU – European Platform for Artistic Creation in Public Space
- Interpret Europe
- ISFE – The Interactive Software Federation Europe
- IVF – International Video Federation
- JM International
- Live DMA – European Network for Live Music Associations
- Liveurope – The Live Music Platform for New European Talent
- Mad’in Europe
- MCA – Michael Culture Association
- NEMO – Network of European Museum Organisations
- On the Move
- Pearle*- Live Performance Europe
- REMA – European Early Music Network
- SAA -Society of Audiovisual Authors
- SEE Network – South East European Network
- SHAPE platform
- Sistema Europe
- TEH – Trans Europe Halles
- UNIC – International Union of Cinemas
- UNIMEI – UNI – Media, Entertainment & Arts