Fifth Cultural Deal for Europe policy conversation calls for culture and heritage to be at the core of Europe’s strategic vision
The fifth edition of the annual Cultural Deal for Europe policy conversation, entitled ‘Culture: The Compass for Europe’s Future’, took place on 4 February 2025 at BOZAR in Brussels, welcoming 120 participants on-site and over 1,000 joining online. The event reaffirmed the vital role of culture and heritage in shaping Europe’s future, particularly in the context of democracy, security, and sustainability.
Co-organised by Europa Nostra, Culture Action Europe, and the European Cultural Foundation, the three founding partners of the Cultural Deal for Europe, the event continued the campaign’s call to prioritise culture and heritage in EU policies, develop a robust cultural strategy, and allocate 2% of the EU funding to culture.
First up 👉 Nicolas Schmit, former Cssr for Jobs & Social Rights 💬
“What makes us European is our cultural belonging, solid values we cannot lose – especially in these turbulent times filled with challenges”
Join online: https://t.co/deUBMHjkg5#CDEU2025 pic.twitter.com/PWppignuOB
— Europa Nostra (@europanostra) February 4, 2025
Bringing together key policymakers, representatives of civil society, and local and regional authorities, the event featured high-level interventions from Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture & Sport; Nela Riehl, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT); and four Members of the European Parliament – Laurence Farreng, Hannes Heide, Zoltan Tarr, and Hélder Sousa Silva representing the Committees on Culture and Budget. Also present were representatives from the EU Council Presidency, including Poland’s Deputy Minister for Culture and Heritage, Marta Cienkowska.
Time to turn the spotlight on funding 🔦 We’re calling for 2% of the EU budget for #culture & #heritage. Follow the panel with Georg Hauesler, Director of DG EAC, MEP Hélder Sousa-Silva, & Jeanne Brunfaut from @centreducinema 👉 https://t.co/deUBMHjkg5#CDEU2025 pic.twitter.com/ZbGeAkOLTV
— Europa Nostra (@europanostra) February 4, 2025
This year’s discussion marked the first public exchange on the Culture Compass, the EU’s new Strategic Framework for Culture, and took place ahead of the European Parliament’s debate on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The strong engagement, both in the room and online, underscored a resounding message: culture and heritage are not merely a reflection of Europe’s past but a guiding force for its future.
“Our culture is intrinsically linked to our values – those of diversity, inclusion, and democracy. In challenging times, this relationship becomes even more valuable,” stated Commissioner Glenn Micallef.
#CDEU2025 is coming to an end. In the closing session, our SG sat down with the new chair of the #CULT committee 👇
💬 Nela Riehl stated: “I am committed to working hand in hand to build a dialogue within @EPCulture & other EP committees & civil society for #culture to flourish” pic.twitter.com/RZIE687M5J
— Europa Nostra (@europanostra) February 4, 2025
“Europe needs a reliable compass – not just for security or competitiveness, but above all, a CULTURAL COMPASS, one that guides and connects all other strategic priorities,” emphasised Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra.
A strong Cultural Deal for Europe can only be realised through collaboration. The commitment of Nela Riehl, Chair of the CULT Committee, was clear as she pledged to “work hand in hand to build a dialogue within the CULT Committee, other EP committees, and civil society for culture to flourish.”
Key insights and policy messages from the Cultural Deal for Europe policy conversation 2025 have been compiled in a comprehensive report, reinforcing the call for culture and heritage to be placed at the heart of Europe’s strategic vision.
Europa Nostra’s contribution to this event took place under the framework of the network project Europa Nostra Heritage Agora (2025-2028), co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
