What the Proposed EU Budget Could Mean for Culture

The European Commission has published its proposal for the EU’s next seven-year budget, covering 2028 to 2034. It’s only the first step in a long negotiation, but it already sets the tone for how much Europe is willing to invest in culture, media, and civil society.

So far, the signs are promising. A new programme, AgoraEU, is on the table, bringing together support for culture, media, and democracy with a proposed budget of €8.6 billion. That’s more than double what’s currently allocated. Erasmus+ also receives a significant boost, with €40.8 billion proposed for cross-border education, training, youth and sports.

But none of this is final. Member States and the European Parliament still need to negotiate and agree on the final figures, shape and spending priorities. Hard choices will be made, and culture, independent media, and civic space could come under pressure.

In an article by our Head of Public Policy, Isabelle Schwarz, we take a first look at the proposed EU budget and what it could mean for the future of Europe’s cultural ecosystem. From defending public space to expanding people-to-people connections like Erasmus+, it’s a moment to stay active, stay vocal, and stay united.