Cultural and Creative Industries

  • 3.95% of EU value added
  • 8 million people
  • 1.2 million firms
  • 99.9% of which are small and medium-sized enterprises

Brussels,

As identified by the EU Industrial Strategy, the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) ecosystem is an important part of Europe’s economy.

CCIs encompass a wide variety of sub-sectors. This includes architecture, archives, libraries and museums, artistic crafts, audiovisual (including film, television, video games and multimedia), tangible and intangible cultural heritage, design (including fashion design), festivals, music, literature, performing arts, (including theatre and dance), books and publishing, radio, and visual arts.

Needs and challenges of the cultural and creative industries - Results of the 2024 survey
The European Union (EU) recognizes the significant role of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) in driving economic growth, fostering cultural diversity, and supporting social cohesion. Here are some key actions and initiatives the EU is taking to support CCIs:


1. Creative Europe Programme

The Creative Europe Programme is the EU’s flagship initiative dedicated to supporting the cultural and audiovisual sectors. The program has a budget of €2.53 billion for the 2021-2027 period. It provides financial support for:

  • Cultural projects such as cross-border collaborations and festivals.
  • Audiovisual industry, including films, TV series, and video games.
  • European networks and platforms to promote collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation in the cultural sector.

It also aims to enhance the competitiveness of European cultural sectors, while promoting Europe's cultural diversity.


2. Recovery Plan for Europe (NextGenerationEU)

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU launched NextGenerationEU, a massive recovery plan that includes targeted support for the cultural and creative sectors. The pandemic severely impacted CCIs, with events canceled and venues closed, so the recovery plan includes:

  • Funding for digital transformation and modernization of CCIs.
  • Investment in infrastructure and skills development.
  • Cultural Recovery Fund, part of the broader Recovery and Resilience Facility.

Consult the NextGenerationEU


3. Horizon Europe and Innovation in CCIs

Under Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation framework program, CCIs are included as an area of focus.

This involves:

  • Promoting technological innovation and research in the cultural sectors, such as digital heritage preservation and immersive technologies (e.g., virtual reality in cultural experiences).
  • Supporting sustainable business models and innovation in CCIs.


4. Cultural and Creative Sectors Guarantee Facility

The Cultural and Creative Sectors Guarantee Facility (CCS GF), part of the Creative Europe Programme, helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in CCIs access finance. It provides guarantees to financial intermediaries, such as banks, to incentivize lending to creative businesses, which often face difficulties securing funding.


5. Digital Single Market Strategy

The EU is working to create a Digital Single Market, which benefits CCIs by ensuring better access to digital content across Europe. It includes:

  • Copyright reform to provide fair compensation for creators in the digital environment while ensuring access to cultural content for consumers.
  • Tackling online piracy and strengthening intellectual property rights (IPR).
  • Facilitating cross-border access to digital cultural goods and services.


6. Cultural Heritage and European Capitals of Culture

The European Year of Cultural Heritage (2018) aimed to celebrate Europe’s diverse cultural heritage and support initiatives preserving it. The European Capitals of Culture initiative continues to promote the cultural richness of cities across the EU, generating economic and cultural benefits through increased visibility and tourism.


7. New European Bauhaus

The New European Bauhaus is an interdisciplinary initiative linking the European Green Deal with culture, creativity, and innovation. It promotes sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetically appealing living spaces, drawing heavily on the creativity of CCIs to address global challenges such as climate change and sustainability.


8. Cross-Sectoral Cooperation and Networks

The EU encourages collaboration between CCIs and other sectors, including education, tourism, and technology. It promotes initiatives such as:

  • Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), especially the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) Culture and Creativity.
  • European Cluster Collaboration Platform, fostering cross-border and cross-sectoral collaboration among creative and cultural businesses.


9. Support for Mobility and Cooperation

The EU facilitates mobility for artists and cultural professionals through initiatives like:

  • i-Portunus, which offers mobility grants for artists and cultural workers.
  • Promoting cross-border cooperation and exchange of cultural and creative knowledge, ideas, and experiences.

These initiatives demonstrate the EU's commitment to supporting Cultural and Creative Industries as vital contributors to Europe's economic growth, innovation, and cultural richness.