On 29 September 2025, Culture Action Europe published “Towards the Culture Compass: A Sector Blueprint”. The paper is the outcome of months of dialogue, research and co-creation between 30 cross-border European cultural networks, including Creative FLIP.
The Blueprint is intended as a complementary vision to the European Commission’s new cultural strategy (expected in November 2025) and serves as a useful point of orientation for future culture advocacy and actions in the cultural sector. At the same time, it is a discussion paper to be referenced and shared with decision-makers to ensure that the needs and challenges of the European cultural sector are addressed in future policy making.
The paper envisages a stronger future for culture in Europe across 10 interconnected policy areas: 1) artistic freedom; 2) working conditions; 3) artistic research, culture and innovation; 4) international cultural relations; 5) culture and health and well-being; 6) culture and sustainability; 7) cultural participation; 8) access to cultural and arts education; 9) culture and security; 10) culture and digital.
Creative FLIP authored the chapter on Working Conditions, which calls for a respective EU Charter in the Cultural Sector. In the brief, the context is set, and dedicated proposals are given. The need for a clear framework to ensure fair working conditions for all those who work in the cultural and creative sectors is also highlighted.
“The topic of working conditions is a continuing saga of sector needs and ambitions to improve the precarious living conditions of artists and workers in the cultural and creative sectors versus the willingness of the European Commission and EU Member States to take decisive actions in the right direction.”
Some common trends across the different briefs include:
- recognising culture as a foundational element of democratic and civic infrastructure, and access to culture and cultural participation as a fundamental right;
- calling for stronger analysis and mutual learning in cultural fields, including the consolidation of studies, research, and expertise in the cultural sector;
- advocating for stronger EU-level protections for culture, including the Artistic Freedom Act and the EU Charter on Working Conditions in the Cultural Sector;
- guaranteeing strong funding and resources for culture in the next long-term EU budget, both in AgoraEU and other funding instruments;
- embracing international cultural relations as a key strand of EU cultural policy, backed by a new strategy and sufficient funding;
- opposing the instrumentalisation of culture, and ensuring artistic freedom, better working conditions, and public support in the process.
You can learn more about “Towards the Culture Compass: A Sector Blueprint”
here. The paper is also part of
our resources.
Thank you to Culture Action Europe and all the other partners for this fruitful collaboration!
