Why the EU Is Turning Culture Into a Strategic Tool for Europe’s Future

The European Union has adopted its first-ever joint declaration on culture, setting out the direction of the bloc’s cultural policy for the years ahead. The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU have jointly signed the “Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe” declaration, recognising culture not only as a field of creativity but also as an important component of democracy, the economy and European identity.

The move represents an attempt to change the role culture plays in the EU’s political agenda. In recent years, Brussels has largely focused on issues such as security, migration, energy, defence and competitiveness. Culture has often remained a secondary priority, despite its role in shaping social values, supporting local communities and influencing how Europe presents itself to the world.

The new declaration describes culture as a “public good” and recognises its “intrinsic, societal, civic and economic value”. European institutions argue that culture has significance beyond artistic expression, contributing to social cohesion, individual well-being and regional development.

At the same time, the declaration is not a legal act and does not create automatic financial obligations for EU member states. It does not mean immediate increases in artists’ salaries, new budgets for theatres or guaranteed support for cultural organisations. Its importance lies in the political signal it sends: for the first time, all three main EU institutions have jointly acknowledged the challenges facing the cultural sector and placed them within Europe’s strategic agenda.

One of the central issues addressed in the declaration is the situation of cultural workers themselves. The EU recognises that many artists operate under unstable conditions, facing irregular incomes, limited access to social protection and fewer opportunities for professional development. The document calls for fairer remuneration, stronger social guarantees and better conditions that allow creativity to remain a sustainable profession rather than simply a personal vocation.

Artistic freedom is another key focus. European institutions emphasise that artists should be able to work without censorship or political pressure. Within the EU framework, freedom of artistic expression is seen as part of a broader democratic system alongside freedom of speech, pluralism and the right to public debate.

The declaration outlines 12 principles that should shape future EU cultural policy. These include protecting cultural rights, strengthening links between culture and education, supporting emerging creators, preserving cultural heritage, improving access to culture for different groups of society and recognising culture’s role in promoting health and well-being.

The new approach is part of the broader Culture Compass for Europe strategy, presented by the European Commission at the end of 2025. The document is intended to serve as a long-term roadmap for EU cultural policy, replacing the previous New European Agenda for Culture, adopted in 2018.

One of the biggest changes is that culture is no longer viewed solely as a matter of public funding or heritage preservation. The EU increasingly connects culture with economic resilience, innovation and global influence. Cultural and creative industries — from film and publishing to design and digital content — are becoming part of Europe’s competitiveness agenda.

Artificial intelligence is another important element of the new cultural framework. The EU aims to find a balance between technological progress and protecting creators’ rights. The declaration states that artificial intelligence should support human creativity rather than replace it. It also highlights the need to ensure fair compensation for creators whose works are used in the digital economy and to strengthen intellectual property protection.

For Europe, the declaration matters beyond the cultural sector itself. Amid growing political polarisation, the spread of disinformation and debates over the future of European identity, Brussels is increasingly viewing culture as a tool for democratic resilience.

However, the changes will not be immediate for artists. The declaration does not solve funding challenges or precarious working conditions overnight. Its significance lies elsewhere — it changes the place culture occupies within European policymaking.

For the first time, culture has received joint political recognition at the highest EU level not as an additional field, but as one of the foundations of Europe’s future alongside security, economic development and digital transformation.

Source: European Parliament, European Commision, EURACTIV