Brussels, 16 July 2025 – The European Commission has presented a proposal for a new integrated programme called AgoraEU, which is expected to combine the existing Creative Europe and CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values) programmes in the next long-term EU budget (2028–2034). With a planned budget of €8.6 billion, the aim is to simplify access to European funding, increase budget flexibility, and more effectively respond to digital, cultural, and democratic challenges.

“AgoraEU brings a stronger and more flexible framework to support culture, media, and civil society. We want to reduce administrative barriers and ensure that European values, creativity, and democracy remain vibrant in the digital and global era,” stated the European Commission.

Creative Europe – Culture: Empowering Mobility and Cultural Diversity

The programme continues its tradition of supporting artists, cultural organisations, and heritage, but with new tools and more flexible funding. The focus will be on:

• Cross-border mobility of artists and cultural professionals, and improved access to new markets
• Circulation of cultural content beyond national borders, including via digital platforms
• Protection and promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity
• Digitisation and preservation of cultural heritage, including projects protecting it from climate and other threats
• Promotion of international cultural partnerships and exchanges

The programme will also continue to support initiatives such as the European Capitals of Culture and the European Heritage Label, with a stronger emphasis on inclusivity and audience participation across all ages and social groups.

MEDIA+: Strengthening the Audiovisual Industry and Media Sector

MEDIA+ introduces the most innovations within AgoraEU and combines support for film, series, video games, and media.

1. Development and Distribution of Audiovisual Works:

• Funding projects from early development to distribution,
• Strengthening independent producers and distributors, access to markets, and international co-productions,
• Innovative digital distribution and promotion of European works, including the use of AI and new business models,
• Enhancing visibility of European content on streaming platforms and new media,
• Support for green production practices and sustainable transition.

2. Media Freedom and Resilience Against Disinformation:

• Financial support for independent media and journalists, especially at the local and regional level,
• Protection of editorial independence in line with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA),
• Projects combating disinformation and foreign information interference,
• Promoting media literacy and pluralism.

MEDIA+ aims to strengthen the European audiovisual industry’s global competitiveness while defending media freedom and pluralism.

CERV+: Democracy, Rights, and Civil Society

The third pillar of AgoraEU expands the current CERV program, maintaining its mission to protect fundamental rights, equality, and democracy, with stronger infrastructure and more stable funding.

Focus areas include:

• Combatting all forms of discrimination (based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, LGBTI+ status, disability),
• Prevention and combat of gender-based violence and violence against children,
• Empowering civil society and NGOs to remain independent,
• Increasing civic participation and trust in democratic institutions,
• Fostering critical thinking and resilience to disinformation, especially ahead of elections,
• The program will also continue to support citizens in exercising rights linked to EU citizenship, such as freedom of movement, voting in local and EU elections, and using the European Citizens’ Initiative.

The European Commission, through its proposal for the AgoraEU programme, is launching the process of creating a single European Union framework for culture, media and civil society for the period 2028–2034. With a proposed budget of €8.6 billion, the programme will merge the existing Creative Europe and CERV initiatives, aiming to simplify access to funding, increase budgetary flexibility, and enable a faster response to digital, cultural and democratic challenges.

Planned adoption timeline:

• Autumn 2025 – The European Parliament and the Council of the EU present their initial positions on the proposal,
• 2026–2027 – Intensive negotiations between the institutions on the budget and implementation rules are expected,
• End of 2027 – Adoption of the final version of the programme is planned,
• 1 January 2028 – Planned start of the AgoraEU programme’s implementation.
  
  

AgoraEU is designed to bring together and strengthen three key areas:

• MEDIA+ – support for the audiovisual industry, independent media and media freedom,
• Creative Europe – Culture – strengthening the mobility of artists, cultural diversity and the preservation of European heritage,
• CERV+ – long-term support for democratic initiatives, the protection of fundamental rights and the empowerment of civil society.

With this, the European Union positions itself with a clear goal: to make the cultural and media sectors more competitive, protect democratic values, and ensure freedom of expression and resilience against disinformation in the coming decade.

More info here.

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍