On July 16th, the European Commission unveiled its proposals for the long-term EU budget (2028-2034). The Commission proposed a newly created AgoraEU Programme, introducing significant structural changes by merging the Creative Europe Programme with the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, creating a broader funding instrument that encompasses different spheres of culture.
In a statement, CEPI regrets the dismantling of the current Creative Europe Programme and the fragmentation of its MEDIA strand into a wider structure. While recognizing the importance of the proposed budget increase for AgoraEU, the European Confederation calls on policymakers to ensure that the future programme maintains a clear and explicit commitment to supporting independent production.
Read the full statement here.