The Enterprise Europe Network announces:
June 18, 2026
Europe is placing greater emphasis on the cultural and creative industries: With the joint declaration “Europe for Culture, Culture for Europe,” the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council reaffirm their political commitment to protecting, promoting, and supporting culture in Europe.
The focus is particularly on:
- artistic freedom
- cultural and linguistic diversity
- inclusion
- fair conditions for artists and cultural practitioners
In addition, the cultural and creative sectors are to receive targeted support in the areas of financing, innovation, and capacity building.
The declaration was signed on the sidelines of the European Council meeting in Brussels. On the one hand, it emphasizes the EU’s role in protecting cultural diversity and in giving greater consideration to cultural aspects across various policy areas. On the other hand, the institutions underscore the importance of the cultural and creative sectors for a shared European identity, for the EU’s fundamental values, and for Europe’s competitiveness.
The declaration is based on twelve guiding principles. These include, among other things, the protection of artistic freedom of expression, the promotion of fair compensation and decent working conditions, and an ethical, human-centered, and rights-based approach to artificial intelligence. The protection of Europe’s cultural heritage, for example through the use of digital technologies, is also part of the agreement.
The EU is thus sending a clear signal to stakeholders in the cultural and creative industries: culture is understood not only as a value that shapes identity, but also as a strategic factor for innovation, participation, and competitiveness in Europe.
Source: European Commission
In collaboration with CreativeTechHUB, the Enterprise Europe Network at Bayern Innovativ GmbH supports professionals in the cultural and creative sectors and connects them with technology experts, startups, companies, as well as universities and research institutions—including on an international level.
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