Creative Europe in 2027: New Opportunities for Culture and Cross-Sectoral Cooperation
The European Commission has published the Creative Europe Annual Work Programme for 2027, the final year of implementation of the current Creative Europe 2021–2027 programme. A total of €402.85 million has been allocated for the implementation of the programme in 2027, ensuring the continuity of existing activities while also opening up new opportunities for the cultural and creative sectors. The year 2027 will also focus on completing the current programming period and preparing for the transition to the next programme, AgoraEU, which is expected to succeed Creative Europe in the next budgetary period.
The programme continues to focus on cultural and linguistic diversity, the competitiveness of the cultural and creative sectors, international cooperation, the green and digital transitions, as well as inclusion and equality. The Work Programme builds on the priorities of the Culture Compass for Europe and other current European strategic frameworks.
The programme’s horizontal priorities continue to include the green transition, the digital transformation of the cultural and creative sectors, inclusion and gender equality, as well as strengthening the role of culture in the European Union’s international relations.
CULTURE: CONTINUITY OF EXISTING CALLS AND SEVERAL IMPORTANT NEW DEVELOPMENTS
In 2027, the Culture sub-programme largely maintains the structure of calls from the previous year, with several new activities responding to developments in the cultural and creative sectors.
EUROPEAN COOPERATION PROJECTS REMAIN A KEY FOCUS
A total of €61.19 million has been allocated to European Cooperation Projects, with the call expected to be published in the first quarter of 2027. It will once again cover small-, medium- and large-scale projects. The rule allowing each organisation to submit a maximum of three applications under the call will remain in place.
CIRCULATION OF EUROPEAN LITERARY WORKS
The call for Circulation of European Literary Works is expected to be published in the fourth quarter of 2026, with implementation of the activities continuing throughout 2027.
NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MUSIC SECTOR: MUSIC MOVES EUROPE
One of the key new developments is the new Music Moves Europe call, for which €5 million has been allocated for 2027. The call will focus on digital and technological innovation in the music sector, including the development and application of digital tools, artificial intelligence-based tools and other technological solutions.
Particular emphasis will be placed on connecting music professionals and artists with technology innovators and investors, as well as on experimenting with new technologies while respecting copyright. The call is expected to be published in the second quarter of 2027.
NEW EUROPEAN PERFORMING ARTS AWARD
A new European Performing Arts Award will also be launched in 2027, with the aim of highlighting artistic excellence and strengthening professional networking in the field of performing arts.
A total of €1 million has been allocated to this activity, with publication expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
DEDICATED CALL FOR THE CULTURAL AND CREATIVE SECTORS IN EU ENLARGEMENT AND NEIGHBOURHOOD COUNTRIES
One of the particularly significant new developments for organisations from Serbia in 2027 will be a new action: Support to Cultural and Creative Sectors in EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood Countries, with a budget of €5 million. The call will aim to strengthen cultural cooperation between organisations from countries participating in the Creative Europe programme, with a particular focus on the Western Balkans – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia – as well as Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Tunisia and Ukraine. The aim is to strengthen cooperation, competitiveness and the capacities of the cultural and creative sectors in these countries and to enhance their links with the European cultural space.
The action will have two components. The first, which will constitute its main component, will provide funding for small-scale cooperation projects through a cascading grants scheme. Such projects should bring together at least two partners, with the coordinator coming from an EU enlargement or neighbourhood country and at least one partner from an EU Member State or an EFTA/EEA country participating in Creative Europe. The focus will be on transnational co-creation, the circulation of cultural and creative works, increasing their visibility and making them accessible to new audiences outside their country of origin. At least around 70% of the action’s budget is planned to be allocated specifically to financial support for third parties, while the maximum amount per individual sub-grant will be €200,000. Particular attention will be paid to organisations operating at the local level, first-time applicants, and organisations from rural and remote areas.
The second component will focus on strengthening the capacities of the cultural and creative sectors in EU enlargement and neighbourhood countries through seminars, training, networking and other activities aimed at artists, professionals, and public and private organisations. The aim is to facilitate their activities at European level, strengthen professional links with partners from other Creative Europe countries, and increase the resilience and competitiveness of the sectors.
The call itself will be aimed at consortia including at least one organisation from an EU enlargement or neighbourhood country and at least one organisation from another country participating in the Creative Europe programme. Since a significant proportion of the funding will subsequently be distributed through cascading grants, direct applicants will be expected to have the experience and capacity to manage a larger number of smaller projects.
Expected results include stronger cultural cooperation and professional networks, increased participation in culture, support for artistic freedom and cultural diversity, strengthened organisational skills, and a stronger European dimension in the creation and circulation of artistic content.
The call is expected to be published in the first quarter of 2027, while the detailed conditions will become available once the call documentation is published.
CULTURE, HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
In line with the Culture Compass, the European Commission, in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), will develop European guidelines on culture, health and well-being aimed at policymakers and other relevant stakeholders.
A total of €500,000 has been allocated to this activity.
CULTURE MOVES EUROPE, NETWORKS, PLATFORMS AND OTHER KEY ACTIVITIES CONTINUE
In 2027, the implementation of existing multiannual activities will continue, including Culture Moves Europe, European networks of cultural and creative organisations, platforms for emerging artists, pan-European cultural organisations and European cultural awards.
The Work Programme allocates €10.75 million to the Culture Moves Europe call, with the regular implementation of the mobility programme continuing throughout 2027.
Support for the development of and dialogue on cultural policies will also continue, with this component being further strengthened to support the implementation of the priorities and new instruments of the Culture Compass.
CROSS-SECTORAL SUB-PROGRAMME – MORE ROOM FOR INNOVATION
In 2027, the Cross-Sectoral sub-programme will continue to support transnational policy cooperation, innovation, and cooperation between the cultural and creative sectors and other fields. A total of €39.19 million has been allocated to the Cross-Sectoral sub-programme, while one of its central activities remains the Creative Innovation Lab, for which slightly more than €7.18 million has been allocated. In 2027, this call will be further linked to European policies in the field of artificial intelligence, particularly through the development and application of AI solutions that can contribute to greater visibility and accessibility of audiovisual, music and literary content in the digital environment.
In response to the ongoing structural and technological challenges faced by the news media sector, funding will cover: Journalism Partnerships, the Rapid Response Mechanism to Safeguard Media Freedom, Media Literacy and the Media Pluralism Monitor.
SUPPORT FOR CREATIVE EUROPE DESKS CONTINUES
For programme beneficiaries, the confirmation of continued support for Creative Europe Desks in participating countries is particularly important in order to ensure continuity of their work and facilitate the transition to the European Union’s new budgetary period.
The Work Programme highlights their role in informing and advising potential applicants, organising information days and workshops, providing support in preparing applications, and encouraging cross-border cooperation and the exchange of good practices.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?
According to the indicative timetable for the publication of calls, the key opportunities under the Culture sub-programme include:
- Circulation of European Literary Works – Q4 2026;
- European Performing Arts Award – Q4 2026;
- European Cooperation Projects – Q1 2027;
- Support to Cultural and Creative Sectors in Enlargement and Neighbourhood Countries – Q1 2027;
- Music Moves Europe – Q2 2027;
- Culture Moves Europe – Individual Mobility – Q3 2027.
The year 2027 brings a combination of continuity in existing funding opportunities and new activities responding to current developments in the cultural and creative sectors – from digitalisation and artificial intelligence to international cooperation, audience development, connections between culture and other fields, and new approaches to culture, health and well-being.
The publication of individual calls will provide detailed information on application conditions, criteria and deadlines.
