Commission evaluates a decade of Creative Europe

The European Commission published the final evaluation of the 2014–2020 Creative Europe programme together with the interim evaluation of the current 2021–2027 programme. These confirm that Creative Europe has successfully contributed to safeguarding cultural diversity and strengthening competitiveness in the audiovisual sector.

While preparing the evaluation report, the European Commission, drew on an external study that ECORYS Europe and KEA European Affairs conducted. 

The evaluation used a broad set of data collection and analytical techniques. It examined the results and impact of the programme’s three structural elements – Culture, MEDIA and Cross-sectoral – during the 2014-2023 period.

Findings of the evaluation on the Culture sub-programme/Strand

The Culture sub-programme (under Creative Europe and the Culture strand (under Creative Europe 2021-2027) supported over 1 800 cultural projects in Europe and beyond between 2014 and 2023 that participated in the creation of a European culture ecosystem.

Fostering cross-border partnerships

Through its intrinsic European dimension, the Creative Europe programme played an important role in fostering cross-border partnerships, with 4 200 organisations getting involved in transnational projects between 2014 and 2020, and 2 500 between 2021 and 2023.

Reinforcing the capacity and skills in cultural and creative sectors

Creative Europe’s support to mobility, cultural networks and platforms helped reinforcing the capacity and skills in cultural and creative sectors and internationalising the careers of many cultural professionals. The Programme funded almost 300 000 mobility days between 2014 and 2020, and more than 160 000 between 2021 and 2023.

Encouraging cultural diversity

It encouraged cultural diversity and the circulation of European cultural works, with over 4 500 translations of literary works between 2014 and 2023.

Attracting new audiences

The programme helped cultural and creative sectors attract new audiences, beyond national and linguistic borders. During the 2014-2020 period, cultural activities supported by the Culture sub-programme were accessed at least 91.5 million times.

Contributing to the EU’s broader efforts

Creative Europe also participated in the EU’s efforts in tackling major issues such as sustainability, social inclusion and gender equality and it contributed to the EU’s diplomatic efforts in the field of culture. It showed a great capacity of adaptation when different crisis hit the cultural and creative sectors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.

Creative Europe Desks

Creative Europe Desks have proven to be great promoters of the programme and a valuable support to potential applicants, especially smaller organisations with limited capacities.

Looking into the future

Thanks to the valuable lessons drawn from the evaluation exercise, both the remainder of the Creative Europe Programme and its successor will be able to build on these achievements to target higher ambitions.