European Commission unveils Creative Europe

Thousands of people working in cinema, TV, culture, music, performing arts, heritage and related areas will benefit from increased EU support under the new 'Creative Europe' programme unveiled by the European Commission. With a proposed budget of €1.8 billion for the period 2014-2020, it will be a much-needed boost for the cultural and creative industries, which are a major source of jobs and growth in Europe.

Creative Europe will build on the experience and success of the Culture and MEDIA programmes which have supported the cultural and audiovisual sectors for more than 20 years. The proposed €1.8 billion budget for Creative Europe represents a 37% increase on current spending levels. In 2007-13, the MEDIA programme received €755 million, with an additional €15 million for MEDIA Mundus which supports international co-operation in the audiovisual sector. The Culture programme was allocated €400 million in the current financial period.

Creative Europe will allocate more than €900 million in support of the cinema and audiovisual sector (the area currently covered by MEDIA) and almost €500 million for culture. The Commission is also proposing to allocate more than €210 million for a new financial guarantee facility, which will enable small operators to access up to €1 billion in bank loans, as well as around €60 million in support of policy co-operation and innovative approaches to audience-building and new business models.

"This investment will help culture and audiovisual professionals make the most of the single market and reach new audiences in Europe and beyond; without this support, it would be difficult or impossible for them to break into new markets. Creative Europe will also promote cultural and linguistic diversity, as well as contributing to our Europe 2020 objectives for jobs and sustainable growth," said Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.

The Commission estimates that the Creative Europe proposal will enable:

More than 1,000 European films to receive distribution support, enabling them to be seen by audiences throughout Europe and the world
At least 2,500 European cinemas to receive funding enabling them to ensure that at least 50% of the films they screen are European
300,000 artists and cultural professionals and their work to receive funding to reach new audiences beyond their home countries
More than 5,500 books and other literary works to receive support for translation, allowing readers to enjoy them in their mother tongue
Thousands of cultural organisations and professionals to benefit from training to gain new skills and to strengthen their capacity to work internationally.

The European cultural and creative sectors represent around 4.5% of European GDP and account for some 3.8% of the EU workforce (8.5 million people). EU support will help them make the most of the opportunities created by globalisation and the digital shift. It will also enable them to overcome challenges such as market fragmentation and difficulties in accessing financing.

The Creative Europe proposal is now under discussion by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament, who will take the final decision on the budgetary framework for 2014-2020.

To find out more about Creative Europe, visit the European Commission's website.

Publication date: 06 Dec 2011