The European Commission’s objective is to develop a more strategic approach to cultural policy, ensuring that culture is woven into policy making across the board, and that more Europeans have access to culture. To make this happen and to guide and harness the multiple dimensions of culture, the commission is putting forward an overarching strategic framework, the Culture Compass for Europe.

The European Commission plans to put forward a political communication in the fourth quarter of 2025, together with a draft joint declaration to be agreed between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.

The Culture Compass for Europe will replace the 2018 New European Agenda for Culture. This and its accompanying staff working document currently provide the framework for cooperation on culture at the EU level. These focus on the positive contribution that culture brings to Europe’s society, its economy and international relations. The 2018 documents also set out enhanced working methods with EU countries, civil society organisations and international partners.

Work Plans for Culture

EU countries define their priorities for cultural policy making at EU level in multi-annual Work Plans adopted in form of conclusions by the Council of the EU. 

Together with the New European Agenda for Culture and in line with its strategic orientation, the Work Plan is established as a strategic and dynamic instrument of EU cultural cooperation that addresses current political developments and set priorities, with due regard for the EU principles of subsidiarity and proportionality.

The current Work Plan for Culture covering the period 2023-2026 sets out four priorities for European cooperation in cultural policy-making:

1. artists and cultural professionals: empowering the cultural and creative sectors
2. culture for the people: enhancing cultural participation and the role of culture in society
3. culture for the planet: unleashing the power of culture
4. culture for co-creative partnerships: strengthening the cultural dimension of EU external relation

21 actions are defined under each of these priorities for the Commission, the Member States and for the presidencies of the Council.

Their working methods and target outputs are clearly defined (including the Open Method of Coordination for expert groups.

The current plan continues the European Union’s actions taken up until now in the field of cultural heritage, including

• protection against climate change
• natural and human-made disasters and trafficking
• the working conditions of artists
• the role of culture for health and well-being
• access to culture, cultural participation and democracy
• the role of libraries
• the sectors’ green and digital transitions
• quality built environment
• international cultural relations, including Ukraine

The current Work Plan for Culture is the EU’s fourth, building on the previous ones: (2019-2022), (2015-2018) and (2011-2014).

European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage

The European Commission proposed the first-ever European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage in December 2018. The Framework’s aim is to capture and scale-up the success of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 and to ensure a lasting impact. 

• Find out more about the European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage

Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations

In 2016, the EU High Representative and Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Navracsics presented the Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council - Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations. Its aim is to put cultural cooperation at the centre of the EU's diplomatic relations with countries around the world.

• Find out more about the EU strategy for international cultural relations