The European Union’s unique system of democracy invites EU citizens to play an active role in steering their future. Indeed, the push for European democracy is one of the core priorities of the current European Commission (2019-24).

Through its Creative Europe programme the European Commission supports artists, designers, filmmakers, musicians and theatre professionals in a wide range of initiatives that help consolidate and give expression to this precious democracy.

Creative Europe supports the digital arts in offering exciting opportunities to reach new audiences. These have a wider range of ages and socio-economic backgrounds than traditional theatres, art galleries and concert venues. Such new media have the potential to democratise our very idea of what ‘culture’ means to different Europeans.

The rapid expansion of new media also masks potential threats to our democracy. Creative Europe-supported projects also explore this, as the following stories reveal.