European creative sector urges EU policy-makers to support Creative Europe

By Emmanuel Legrand

Ahead of the European Council discussions on the future EU budget, some 90 organisations from across Europe’s cultural and creative sectors have issued a joint letter calling on the Council and all EU Member States to support the European Parliament’s proposed budget for the Creative Europe Programme 2021-2027, which is the only EU framework Programme dedicated to cultural and creative sectors.

  "Today, Creative Europe represents a mere 0,15% of the overall EU Budget," reads the letter. "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)."

  The letter continues: "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 under-financed. The financing gap for Europe’s cultural and creative SMEs alone is estimated to be somewhere between €8bn and €13bn."

Promote European values

  The signatories "welcome" the European Parliament's proposal to increase the Creative Europe budget to €2.8bn and 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 letter concludes: "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."

  Signatories include organisation representing:
> Artists/creators (AEPO ARTIS, ECSA - European Composer & Songwriter Alliance, FERA - Federation of European Film Directors, EWC - European Writers’ Council, UNI - Media, Entertainment & Arts, FIM - International Federation of Musicians, FSE - The Federation of Screenwriters in Europe, IAO - International Artist Organisation of Music, IMMF - International music managers forum).
> Creative industries (CEPI- European Audiovisual Production, EFA - European Festivals Association, EGDF - European Games Developer Federation, EMEE - European Music Exporters Exchange, Eurocinema, The European Network of Independent Film Publishers and Distributor, EIFB - European and International Booksellers Federation, FEP - Federation of European Publishers, GESAC - European Grouping of Societies of Authors and Composers, ICMP - International Confederation of Music Publishers, IFPI - International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, IMPALA - Independent Music Companies Association, IMPF - Independent Music Publishers International Forum).
> Media (AER - Association of European Radio, EBU - European Broadcasting Union),.
> Culture advocacy groups (ECCD - European Coalition for Cultural Diversity), among others.