Culture is Europe’s Compass

Culture is Europe’s connective tissue. That’s the message from Isabelle Schwarz, the European Cultural Foundation’s Head of Public Policy, in a new interview with Creatives Unite on the future of Europe’s cultural strategy.

As the European Commission consults on its upcoming Culture Compass, Schwarz argues it’s time to stop treating culture as peripheral. From democratic trust to digital literacy, climate resilience to cross-border solidarity, culture is already quietly holding Europe together.

“The 2% for culture call is more than a budget request,” Schwarz says. “It’s a political statement. While others invest in dividing Europe, we must invest in holding it together—through culture.”

That’s why we co-initiated the Cultural Deal for Europe. Schwarz highlights how culture can link local energy to European ambition, from pooled philanthropy to stronger media ecosystems and cross-border programmes rooted in public values. She’s clear: culture should not only shape EU cultural policy, but also Europe’s approach to security, democracy, and digital transition. The Culture Compass must be more than a policy document. It must be a vision for how we live together.

Photo by Jose P. Ortiz on Unsplash.