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Culture and Creativity

Cultural policy cooperation at the EU level

Cooperation on cultural policy between the European Commission and the 27 EU countries occurs in the Council of the EU’s related preparatory bodies –  the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council – and its Cultural Affairs Committee.

The commission is accountable to the European Parliament and, in the field of culture, to its Committee on Culture and Education.

This cooperation also requires dialogue with civil society organisations, cultural stakeholders and other actors, such as cities and regions or international organisations, including the Council of Europe, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).Cooperation on cultural policy between the European Commission and the 27 EU countries occurs in the Council of the EU’s related preparatory bodies –  the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council – and its Cultural Affairs Committee.

The commission is accountable to the European Parliament and, in the field of culture, to its Committee on Culture and Education.

This cooperation also requires dialogue with civil society organisations, cultural stakeholders and other actors, such as cities and regions or international organisations, including the Council of Europe, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Cooperation with the EU countries

The Open Method of Coordination (OMC) is a practical and structured way to bring together representatives from EU countries to encourage the exchange of good practices regarding the design of policies and funding schemes. The method fosters a common understanding of issues and helps to build consensus on solutions and their implementation.

Voices of culture: dialogue with cultural and creative sectors

The European Commission maintains regular dialogue with European organisations from the cultural and creative sectors and industries, as part of its activities in the field of culture.

From 2015 until 2023 the Commission organised a structured dialogue, called Voices of culture, as part of the New European Agenda for Culture. It provided a framework for discussions between civil society stakeholders and the Commission. It was implemented by the Goethe-Institut on behalf of the Commission following a call for tender.