(EIS) algatatud kooskõlastamine

EN EN

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 16.7.2025

COM(2025) 550 final

2025/0550 (COD)

Proposal for a

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

establishing the 'AgoraEU' programme for the period 2028-2034, and repealing

Regulations (EU) 2021/692 and (EU) 2021/818

{SEC(2025) 547 final} - {SWD(2025) 550 final} - {SWD(2025) 551 final}

EN 1 EN

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL

• Reasons for and objectives of the proposal

The EU is a community of values ingrained in Europe's history and identity and anchored in

the EU Treaty. As set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU), these are

common to all Member States and encompass democracy, respect for human rights, non-

discrimination, equality, the rule of law, and pluralism, with cultural diversity, freedom of

expression, including media and artistic freedom and pluralism, also being enshrined in the

Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.

Citizens’ participation and engagement, transparency and accountability in decision-making,

as well as respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law contribute to the vitality of

European democracy. Media plays a crucial role in fostering public opinion and free debate.

Audiovisual content and all other forms of artistic, cultural and creative expressions,

including cultural heritage, are essential to Europe’s diversity and to forging societal

resilience and mutual understanding. Beyond their intrinsic value and social impact, they are

powerful drivers of sustainable economic growth and competitiveness, innovation and

employment, and soft power, making them essential to Europe’s future.

The importance of an EU financial intervention in these areas lies in their ability to foster

inclusive and participatory governance, facilitate informed and active citizenship, safeguard

and promote fundamental rights, promote equality and non-discrimination, and celebrate

cultural diversity and all types of artistic expressions. Europe’s thriving creative and media

sectors, its audiovisual industry and the richness of its cultures and heritage are central to its

identity. However, these policy areas face serious challenges that require a holistic Union

response.

Union values are the object of internal and external pressures, such as challenges to the rule of

law, inequalities, discrimination, violations of fundamental rights, declining trust in

democratic institutions as well as weakened confidence in democratic processes. Structural

inequalities persist as well as violence and discrimination on the grounds of sex, racial or

ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, often shown in racism

and other forms of intolerance. Meanwhile, the traditional role of independent civil society

organisations in counterbalancing these trends is challenged by a weakening of financial and

political support.

The European media industries are a beacon of quality and creativity, but today they compete

with global online platforms for the attention of citizens and consumers. Circulation of EU

audiovisual content continues to be fragmented along national lines, and non-EU players

capture most of the box office and streaming subscriptions. While the video game industry

has gained a strong foothold in contemporary digital culture (more than half of the EU

population regularly plays video games), the Union’s video game market continues to be

largely dominated by global competitors. Finally, the integrity of the information space is at

risk through the spread of disinformation and the growth of foreign information manipulation

and interference by hostile actors, such as Russia. Threats against media pluralism are

compounded by phenomena such as concentration of media ownership. In parallel, news

media experience declining advertising revenues and sales, as digital competitors have

captured an increasing share of revenue and shaped consumption habits. As a result of all

these factors, media viability is under pressure.

EN 2 EN

Culture and the cultural and creative sectors and industries in the Union are fragmented as

well along national and linguistic lines, reflecting our rich diversity. This limits transnational

artistic collaboration, audience reach, the development of innovative practices, as well as the

sectors’ resilience and potential for competitiveness, and strengthening societal wellbeing.

Culture and creative sectors’ professionals struggle to work across borders and to access new

opportunities and markets, which exacerbates geographical imbalances and reduces the

circulation of European cultural works. The limited cross-border mobility and cooperation

hinders networking, economies of scale, pooling expertise, and co-creation, all that is crucial

for sustaining careers and strong culture and creative sectors. Meanwhile, Europe’s rich

cultural heritage faces threats from a combination of budgetary constraints, vulnerability to

pollution, climate change and natural disasters, as well as misappropriation or destruction.

Finally, societal, creative, cultural and media sectors experience common technological

dependencies and could benefit from common activities. They are impacted by financial

weaknesses, obstacles to accessing finance, difficulties in using and uptaking applied

innovation, lack of adaptation to new sets of skills and digital transformation. Meanwhile,

non-EU tech giants increasingly influence the civic, media, and cultural landscape, shaping

content consumption through algorithmic recommendations, automated distribution and AI-

generated content.

These are challenges of a transnational nature that cannot be effectively addressed without

joint EU-level solutions, coordination, steering and support. EU actions can help enable

cooperation, capacity building, and mutual learning, as well as optimise and combine the

potential of these sectors to contribute to economic growth, societal development and cultural

diversity.

EU support to address challenges affecting culture, media, and equality, citizens, rights and

Union values has been provided through different funding programmes over the years. In the

2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), support to culture, the cultural and

creative sectors and the audiovisual industries was addressed by Creative Europe, with the

objectives of safeguarding, developing and promoting European cultural and linguistic

diversity and heritage and contributing to the competitiveness of these sectors, notably the

audiovisual sector. Meanwhile, the promotion and protection of rights and Union values as

enshrined in the Treaties, the Charter and the applicable international human rights

convention were primarily the object of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV)

programme. CERV has supported civil society organisations working at European, national,

regional and local levels, including grassroots, in their work to protect and promote Union

values. The Union support in some areas, such as news media and countering disinformation,

was fragmented across different programmes. The cross-sectoral strand of Creative Europe

included specific actions on media pluralism, literacy, and media collaborations, while the

Multimedia actions line supported the provision of information on EU topics. Tackling

disinformation has so far been funded through Digital Europe.

The 2028-2034 MFF proposal aims at addressing ‘complexities, weaknesses and rigidities’

currently present in the EU’s budget, and provides a framework that is more focused, simpler,

with fewer and more impactful programmes. For this reason, and to increase the budget’s

flexibility and ability to respond to changing realities and emerging problems, this proposal

seeks to streamline the EU intervention in the areas of culture, media and equality, citizens,

rights and values, exploiting connections and synergies where relevant, while respecting the

singularity and specific needs of each of these policy areas.

In the area of equality, citizens, rights and values, the proposal will contribute to upholding

democracy and the rule of law, fundamental rights and equality, reducing discrimination and

EN 3 EN

empowering civil society. The new Programme will contribute as well to fighting against

gender-based violence, violence against children and other groups at risk. In addition, it will

contribute to enhancing democratic resilience and participation.

Media is a driver of democratic values, cultural diversity and economic growth. The media

sector encompasses inter alia content such as films, series, video games, news and

information, immersive reality and multimedia, as well as services including theatrical

exhibition, television and radio broadcasting, print and online publishing, online videos and

podcasts. To be socially relevant, the audiovisual and media industries need to be resilient and

competitive. The proposal will support a free, competitive and diverse media and audiovisual

space. It will on one hand enhance the production, circulation, IP exploitation and

consumption of audiovisual works and other forms of media content, such as gaming. On the

other hand, it will contribute to protecting the viability and pluralism of the information

market, notably by supporting news media and media independence including at regional and

local levels. It will also contribute to tackling disinformation and foreign information

manipulation and interference.

Culture and the cultural and creative sectors are great assets for Europe, projecting the image

of a dynamic continent on the world stage. Encompassing inter alia performing arts, literature

and book publishing, music and visual arts, tangible and intangible cultural heritage,

architecture, archives, libraries and museums, artistic crafts and design, they produce

meanings on various mediums and through multiple formats. The EU intervention in the field

of culture will contribute to increasing cross-border cultural creation and cooperation, cultural

participation and accessibility to a diversity of European cultural expressions and to

protecting and preserving cultural heritage. The proposal will also help increase the

circulation of a diversity of cultural works and the mobility of professionals, as well as

promote inclusiveness and intergenerational fairness through culture. Finally, it will

strengthen the social, economic and external dimensions of the cultural and creative sectors.

Finally, the EU should promote synergies among the media, culture, and civic spheres,

bringing together public and private entities as well as promoting cross-sectoral cooperation,

and innovation, to address common challenges and contribute to societal resilience and

democratic participation.

On this basis, the EU financing intervention will be best equipped to enhance and scale up

existing successful schemes, to better address transnational challenges, and to fill gaps

impossible to address at Member States level. It will also provide wider coherence and better

alignment between regulatory policy and funding instruments, as well as between internal and

external policies. Therefore, the proposal will contribute to reinforcing Europe’s societies,

media and culture, and foster Union values and democratic participation and help unlock the

full potential of the Union as a source of progress, sustainable development and growth.

The policy areas covered by this legal proposal are firmly anchored in the EU Treaties, which

provide the legal bases for EU action through Union funding programmes, and they contribute

to the Union’s long-term objectives. The proposal provides for a date of application as of 1

January 2028.

• Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area

Fundamental rights, EU values and democracy

The proposal is fully in line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European

Union, and all relevant EU policy and legislative frameworks in the field of equality and non-

discrimination. It also contributes to the Union of Equality strategy. A core ambition of the

EN 4 EN

European Union is to ensure, through a multi stakeholder and intersectoral approach, that all

people, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion or

belief, can live free from discrimination and participate fully in society.

The European Union’s commitment to equality is anchored in numerous key communications

and action plans. The European Commission’s 2020 Strategy for the Equality of LGBTIQ

People and the 2021 Gender Equality Strategy underscore the EU’s dedication to tackling

discrimination and promoting equality across all aspects of society. Both strategies will be

renewed, as the current ones end in 2025. These are complemented by the upcoming EU Anti-

Racism Strategy 2026-2030, the EU Roma Strategic Framework for Equality, Inclusion and

Participation (2020–2030), the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2021–

2030), and the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, the EU Strategy on combating

antisemitism and fostering Jewish life (2021-2030) and the work strand on combatting anti-

Muslim hatred. The upcoming Intergenerational Fairness Strategy is also of relevance in this

context.

The first EU comprehensive framework on democracy has been developed through the 2020

European Democracy Action Plan, the 2021 package of measures to reinforce democracy and

protect the integrity of elections and the 2023 Defence of Democracy Package in synergy with

the External Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2027. The most recent

legislation in this context includes the Regulation on transparency of political advertising, and

the EU law protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded

claims or abusive court proceedings ('strategic lawsuits against public participation').

The upcoming European Democracy Shield will seek to further protect and strengthen

democracy and democratic resilience. It will seek to address the increasing threats to

democratic institutions, systems and processes within the EU and to enhance citizens’ trust

and participation in democracy. The upcoming EU Civil Society Strategy will seek to further

protect and empower civil society, sending a strong signal of recognition to the work carried

out by civil society and their contribution to EU policies.

Media and audiovisual

This legal proposal also builds upon the EU media and audiovisual framework, where

regulation, funding and policy effectively support each other, thereby facilitating democratic

debate, enriching our culture, and driving the digital transformation with competitive EU

media players.

It will accompany EU single market policies in the audiovisual and media sectors, and its

design will complement and reinforce existing legislative instruments. The Audiovisual

Media Services Directive (AVMSD) has laid down a common regulatory framework for

audiovisual media services across the EU, including provisions such as the promotion of

European and independent works, protection of minors, and regulation of audiovisual

advertising. Together with AVMSD, the proposed Programme will strengthen the capacity of

European audiovisual players to finance, produce and disseminate works that can be

sufficiently visible on the different media available and are attractive to audiences in an

increasingly open and competitive market within Europe and beyond.

The recently adopted European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) provides safeguards for

media freedom and pluralism, including protections against political interference, enhanced

transparency of media ownership, and obligations on the independence of public service

media. The proposed Programme will complement EMFA by providing financial support to

news media outlets and strengthening editorial independence.

EN 5 EN

It will also build on the Code of conduct on countering hate speech online, the 2018 Action

Plan against disinformation, and the Code of Conduct on Disinformation recently

integrated within the co-regulatory framework of the Digital Services Act (DSA), by

enhancing media literacy and reinforcing situation awareness on the online information space

across Member States.

Culture

Concerning culture, cultural heritage and the cultural and creative sectors, the initiative will

accompany the upcoming Culture Compass for Europe, which is intended as a strategic

policy approach aiming to embed culture and the CCS in the Union’s overarching policy

goals and to guide and harness their multiple dimensions.

The initiative builds on several key policy initiatives, including the European Agenda for

Culture, the Council’s Work Plans for Culture, the EU Strategy for International

Cultural Relations, and the European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage,

which all plea for a stronger role for culture and the CCS in the further social, economic and

international development of our Union. It aligns with European initiatives such as the New

European Bauhaus, the European Capitals of Culture action and the European Heritage

Label action. It is also in line with the Rome Declaration of March 2017, where the Member

States and EU institutions envisioned a Union “where citizens have new opportunities for

cultural and social development and economic growth [...]; a Union which preserves our

cultural heritage and promotes cultural diversity”.

Furthermore, it is consistent with the Commission Communication on Strengthening

European Identity through Education and Culture, which states that it is in the shared interest

of all Member States “to harness the full potential of education and culture as drivers for jobs,

economic growth, social fairness, active citizenship as well as a means to experience

European identity in all its diversity”. The initiative is also in line with the 2005 UNESCO

Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, to

which the Union and its Member States are parties.

Finally, the initiative is to be seen in the context of the upcoming EU Strategy on sustainable

Tourism, aiming among others to support visitors in discovering lesser-known cultural routes

and heritage sites across Europe, thus fostering economic development and promoting local

jobs.

• Consistency with other Union policies

The initiative is aligned with the overarching Commission’s 2024-2029 policy priorities,

namely in terms of 1) Supporting people, strengthening our societies and our social model; 2)

Protecting our democracy, upholding our values; 3) Europe’s sustainable prosperity and

competitiveness; and 4) a global Europe.

Consistency with policies supporting people, strengthening our societies and our social model

In the context of the Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034), synergies will be

fostered between media, culture, equality, rights and values initiatives and the future

intervention in the fields of skills, education, social inclusion, solidarity, intergenerational

fairness, youth and social and territorial cohesion. These synergies, such as in media literacy,

digital skills, civic engagement and civic education and skills development and inclusion

through creativity and the arts will be promoted in line with the objectives of the European

Youth Strategy and the EU Citizenship Report. The initiative may also seek synergies and

EN 6 EN

complementarities with future interventions under shared management aimed at strengthening

social and territorial cohesion within the EU.

The initiative complements some initiatives promoting the principles of the European Pillar of

Social Rights, including through employment and social policies, as well as of the European

Child Guarantee. This includes promoting equal access to rights and fostering diversity,

including at the regional and local level, as means to support social inclusion and fair labour

markets, and to tackle child poverty. As key actors in shaping public discourse and fostering

democratic engagement, culture and media are central to building inclusive, resilient societies.

In the context of the Union of Skills, the initiative will actively contribute to the upskilling

and reskilling of professionals in the cultural and creative industries (CCIs), supporting their

adaptability in the face of digital and green transitions and labour market shifts. Furthermore,

by reinforcing the competitiveness of cultural and creative sectors, the Programme favours the

creation of jobs in these sectors. At the same time, the initiative will enhance capacity-

building for civil society organisations (CSOs) working in the field of equality, rights and

values.

In light of increasing risks linked to natural hazards, health emergencies, technological

accidents, evolving security threats, and other disruptions, this initiative will enhance the

resilience of vital societal functions, and build a more resilient, secure, and prepared Union, in

line with the objectives of the EU Preparedness Union Strategy.

Consistency with justice policies

The alignment between justice policies and the rule of law creates a robust framework that

ensures accountability, promotes legal coherence across and within Member States, and

protects fundamental rights, thereby enhancing trust and cooperation within the Union. The

relationship between fundamental rights and justice policies is key in shaping fair and

equitable societies. Fundamental rights – ranging from the right to a fair trial, freedom from

discrimination to the protection of privacy – define the essential standards that justice systems

must uphold, and translate abstract principles into concrete legal measures and practices. For

instance, anti-discrimination laws enforce the principle of equality before the law.

Thus, the synergy between fundamental rights and justice policies ensures that legal systems

not only prevent abuses but also actively promote dignity, equality, and freedom. This

synergy is essential for building public trust in legal institutions, fostering social cohesion,

and ultimately ensuring that justice is accessible and meaningful for all individuals. To this

end, in the context of the Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034), synergies will be

fostered between this Programme and the future Justice programme.

Consistency with policies for the Single Market and competitiveness

By contributing to the competitiveness of media, audiovisual and the cultural and creative

sectors, the initiative will complement the EU policy framework on industrial policy and

economic competitiveness. Notably, it builds on the 2024 Single Market and Competitiveness

Report, which adopts an ecosystem-based approach to strengthen the resilience and strategic

autonomy of key industrial sectors, including cultural and creative industries. It also reflects

the objectives of the Competitiveness Compass, which sets out clear benchmarks to improve

the EU’s long-term productivity and resilience and promote innovation.

In addition, the initiative relates to the 2020 Commission Communication “An SME Strategy

for a sustainable and digital Europe”, which aims to unleash the power of Europe’s SMEs to

lead the twin transitions, based on three pillars: capacity-building and support; reducing

regulatory burden and improving market access; and improving access to financing. The

EN 7 EN

initiative also contributes to the European Commission’s new Savings and Investments Union

Strategy, which aims to enhance financial opportunities for businesses.

Research and innovation are essential to developing inclusive, rights-based cultural, creative,

and media systems. The initiative will strengthen synergies with the future Framework

Programme for research and innovation and the future European Competitiveness Fund. The

latter includes support for multidisciplinary research on a variety of topics, including

democracy, values, equality, and disinformation, but also on digital and industrial topics

closely linked to the culture and creative sectors and cultural heritage. Synergies and

complementarities will need to be strengthened to reinforce the European research ecosystem,

so that the cultural and creative sectors and civil society fully benefit from the advances of

European research and innovation areas. The Programme will thus contribute to the take-up of

the results of research and innovation actions funded under the Research Framework

Programme.

Moreover, the proposal contributes to addressing Europe’s digital transformation, in line with

the objectives of the Digital Decade 2030. It will complement it by supporting actions that

promote digital preparedness, skills development and applied innovation in the societal,

culture and media sectors, such as the AI Continent Action Plan and the Apply AI strategy. It

will also accompany existing regulation, such as the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets

Act and the AI Act by increasing the audiovisual and media content access, strengthening

media literacy, encouraging fair competition and platform-neutral access to audiences. Cross-

border collaborations and availability of audiovisual content would also strengthen

interoperability of digital products.

Consistency with policies for a global Europe

The proposed Programme will, once adopted, complement actions financed through the

Union’s external actions. For instance, by promoting cultural exchanges and supporting Union

creative industries, media and audiovisual content globally including through international

collaborations, it will open new markets, attract global talent, enhance the EU’s influence and

attractiveness on the world stage. The future intervention will include participation of third

countries in the Programme and support for international collaborations, allowing for

synergies with EU’s policies on external action.

2. LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY

• Legal basis

The proposal is based on Articles 19(2), 21(2), 24, 167(5), 168(5) and 173(3) of the Treaty on

the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), to achieve the Programme’s general

objectives in a comprehensive way.

Article 19(2) TFEU provides for the adoption of incentive measures to support Member State

action in combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief,

disability, age or sexual orientation.

Democratic engagement, civic participation and the fostering of civil society are essential

building blocks of the notion of Union citizenship. They constitute crucial factors and

facilitators of the right to move and reside freely in the Union.

Article 21(2) TFEU provides for Union measures to facilitate the exercise of citizens’ rights

to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States. Actions to inform citizens

and authorities about citizens voting rights when residing in another Member State can also be

EN 8 EN

covered by this Article, since in practice they also facilitate the exercise of a citizen’s right to

move and reside freely.

Article 24 TFEU obliges the European Parliament and the Council to adopt provisions for the

procedures and conditions required for a citizens’ initiative within the meaning of Article 11

TEU. This has been done by adopting Regulation (EU) 2019/788 of the European Parliament

and of the Council1. The Programme should support the financing of technical and

organisational support for the implementation of that Regulation, thereby underpinning the

exercise by citizens of the right to launch and support European citizens’ initiatives. Together

with the other rights set out in Article 24 TFEU, that right ensures citizens’ direct

participation in the democratic life of the Union.

Article 167(5) TFEU tasks the Union to adopt incentive measures to contribute to the

flowering of the cultures of the Member States, while respecting their national and regional

diversity and by bringing forward the common cultural heritage. The actions by the Union

shall encourage co-operation between Member States and supplement their actions in areas

such as improvement of the knowledge and dissemination of the culture and history of the

European peoples and conservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage of European

significance.

Article 168(5) TFEU provides a legal basis for the adoption of incentive measures designed

to protect and improve human health. Violence, including against children and women,

constitutes a danger to physical and mental health. Children are vulnerable citizens and need

an increased level of protection against these dangers, which often include cross border

threats. Violence against women also constitutes a serious threat to the physical and mental

health of victims, who are in need of a high level of protection.

Article 173(3) TFEU states that the Union may decide on specific measures in support of

action taken in the Member States to ensure that the conditions necessary for the

competitiveness of the Union's industry exist, including taking action to encourage an

environment favourable to initiative and to the development of undertakings.

• Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence)

The promotion and protection of culture, media and Union values requires transnational

cooperation and coordinated efforts that extend beyond national borders. These are areas

where the complexity of the challenges makes it difficult for Member States to address them

sufficiently on their own. Coordinated action at EU level allows for more coherent and

impactful responses to address transnational and common challenges that slow down progress

and allow systemic impact through the identification and the resolution of structural gaps not

prioritised by Member States. The EU budget plays a key role in enabling these collective

responses. Such an approach also ensures greater coherence between internal policies and the

Union’s promotion of its values and international standards abroad.

By reason of the scale and effects of the proposed programme, a Union-level action brings

added value, as these objectives cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States acting

alone. For instance, it strengthens a sense of EU citizenship and mutual understanding by

facilitating cross-border activities that foster civic engagement, solidarity, and wider

participation in culture and media. It also ensures consistent and high standards across the EU

and effective application of rights enshrined in EU law across Member States, which is

essential for the protection of EU citizens. Moreover, EU action reinforces the Single Market

1 OJ L 130, 17.5.2019, p. 55–81

EN 9 EN

by promoting fair access and mobility, while enabling more efficient delivery through

coordinated frameworks and larger-scale joint projects. By addressing fragmentation,

promoting collaboration across Member States and pooling resources at EU level, the

initiative ensures that creative industries, audiovisual and media companies and creators can

fully benefit from the Single Market. It improves access to diverse cultural and creative

content, supports media pluralism, and increases the competitiveness of the European

audiovisual industry.

The added value of EU funding in these policy areas was highlighted by a vast majority of

respondents to the open public consultation carried out by the Commission for the new EU

programmes (see below).

• Proportionality

The proposal complies with the principle of proportionality, in that it does not go beyond the

minimum required to achieve the stated objectives at EU level and what is necessary for those

purposes.

• Choice of the instrument

The new ‘AgoraEU’ Programme builds primarily on the Creative Europe Programme (2021-

2027), the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme (2021-2027) and

existing prerogative lines, bringing together EU financial support to sustain culture, media

and Union values. The new instrument takes into account the specific features of the different

sectors, their different target groups, and particular needs, while ensuring synergies and

complementarities.

3. RESULTS OF EX-POST EVALUATIONS, STAKEHOLDER

CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

• Ex-post evaluations/fitness checks of existing legislation

The Commission has taken into account the results of the final evaluation of the Creative

Europe programme 2014-2020 and interim final evaluation of the Creative Europe

programme 2021-2027, as well as the interim evaluation of the CERV programme and the

final evaluations of the Europe for Citizens programme and the Rights, Equality and Citizens

programmes, which were carried out over the period 2023-2025.

These evaluations assessed the performance of the programmes, based on their effectiveness,

efficiency, relevance, coherence, sustainability and EU added value.

The results of these evaluations indicate that the existing programmes have largely delivered

on their policy objectives and provided EU added value, while highlighting areas for

improvement in terms of design.

The evaluation of Creative Europe underscores the contribution of the Programme to the

general objective of supporting cultural and linguistic diversity and cultural heritage by

increasing people’s access to a variety of content coming in particular from beyond national

borders and to the objective of competitiveness by helping audiovisual and other creative and

cultural operators to improve their skills and scale up at European level. It has a unique place

as the only source of funding for transnational cooperation, exchange of good practices,

circulation and mobility in these sectors.

The interim evaluation of the CERV programme confirmed that the programme occupies an

otherwise largely empty space in the values and fundamental rights funding landscape, as the

EN 10 EN

dedicated EU instrument to safeguard and promote fundamental rights, equality and non-

discrimination, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. The evaluation also showed the key

role played by the programme in supporting civil society organisations working on rights and

values, including those at the grassroots level, who would often lack other funding sources

and forms of support.

The evaluation of the Multimedia Actions line (2021-2023) confirms that it was effective in

strengthening news coverage on EU affairs from a European perspective. The actions

supported the production of a high volume of original content, achieving a notable audience

reach.

• Stakeholder consultations

A public consultation informed the impact assessment for EU programmes in the domains of

cross-border education, youth, culture, media, values and civil society under the post-2027

MFF. It was conducted between 12 February and 7 May 2025. In total, the consultation

gathered 5,845 valid replies.

The responses revealed a clear affirmation of the EU’s continued role in fostering cross-

border cooperation and supporting culture, media, democracy and fundamental rights. For

example, the proportions of respondents finding it ‘very important’ or ‘important’ to ‘protect

democracy and democratic standards’, to ‘promote respect of fundamental rights (including

children’s and women’s rights)’, to ‘promote media independence and media pluralism, fight

against disinformation’ and to ‘promote cultural and creative diversity’ were respectively at

91%, 88%, 85% and 78%.

The responses to the public consultation also confirmed that EU funding provided added

value compared to funding at national, local or regional level in the areas it covered. For

example, 66% of respondents considered that ‘Protecting democracy and promoting

democratic standards’ is an area where EU funding provides significant added value. Nearly

two thirds of respondents mentioned support to the audiovisual and media sectors as an

“important” policy objective. Finally, approximately 80% of respondents see an added value

in EU funding going to ‘Promote cultural and linguistic diversity’ and ‘Promote and preserve

cultural heritage and European remembrance’ and 74% to ‘Ensure widespread access to

culture and cultural heritage’.

Asked to evaluate the obstacles preventing the EU budget from fully delivering on its

objectives in the policy areas, respondents generally welcomed the Commission’s focus on

greater efficiency in funding, but not at the cost of “identity” and “trust”, preserving thematic

clarity and stakeholder ownership.

Quantitative results show that the most frequently cited obstacles across all groups were

administrative burden (identified by 51% of citizens and 56% of organisations) and complex,

fund-specific compliance rules (49% of citizens and 52% of organisations). These issues

reflect concerns not only with regulatory complexity but also with fragmentation between

instruments and inefficiencies in delivery. Additional barriers included lack of flexibility to

reallocate resources in response to emerging needs (45% of citizens and 50% of

organisations), delays in programme implementation and funding disbursement, and

insufficient communication or clarity about funding opportunities. Public authorities and

NGOs in particular emphasised delays as a source of reduced impact and local credibility.

• Collection and use of expertise

The proposal has been informed by external reports and assessments.

EN 11 EN

The proposal has been informed by a wealth of studies and reports, such as from the European

Parliament, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights and the European Institute for Gender

Equality, which point towards the growing and serious challenges testing fundamental rights

and values in the EU as well as the resilience of our democratic institutions2.

In the field of media and audiovisual, it has relied on the conclusions of the 2023 European

Media Industry Outlook3, which provided valuable insights into the structural challenges of

the media and audiovisual industries (incl. gaming). Media companies in the EU are under

increasing pressure from global competitors for users’ attention and revenue. Consumer

spending and media consumption have stagnated since the COVID-19 pandemic, with digital

platforms aggregating more content and capturing more ad revenue than traditional media. The sectors also struggle with high technology adoption costs, limited private investment, and

heavy dependence on non-EU technologies. In addition, the report revealed that, in the EU,

the circulation of audiovisual works across borders is limited, hindering the industry’s

potential. Meanwhile, the viability of news media is increasingly at risk, with declining

revenues, shrinking employment, and limited consumer trust.

In the field of culture and creative sectors, the proposal has been informed by thematic

meetings, findings of independent studies, Council conclusions4, resolutions from the

European Parliament5, the evaluation of the European Heritage Label action6 and the first

interim evaluation of the European Capital of Culture action for the year 2020-20337, as well

as recommendations made by experts from Member States in the context of the Open Method

of Coordination on culture8. These various sources underline the persisting relevance of the

Culture strand of Creative Europe while pointing at areas of improvement, in particular in

connection with the digital and green transitions and the surge of AI, working conditions of

artists and cultural and creative professionals, as well as the international context.

2 Including the EP 2021/2103(INI) on “The shrinking space of civil society in Europe”; the FRA Report

on “Protecting civil society – update 2023”; the EIGE Gender Equality Index 2024: Tackling violence against

women, tackling gender inequalities. 3 The second edition of the Media Industry Outlook will be published in July 2025. 4 In particular, Council conclusion of May 2025 on supporting young artists and cultural and creative

professionals in starting their careers, Council Conclusions of November 2024 on improving and fostering access

to culture, Council conclusions of May 2024 on empowering the cultural and creative sectors through data-

driven audience development and Council Conclusions of May 2023 on at-risk and displaced artists. 5 European Parliament resolution of 17 January 2024 on cultural diversity and the conditions for authors

in the European music streaming market (2023/2054(INI)), European Parliament resolution of 16 January 2024

on the implementation of the Creative Europe Programme 2021-2027 (2023/2003(INI)), European Parliament

resolution of 21 November 2023 with recommendations to the Commission on an EU framework for the social

and professional situation of artists and workers in the cultural and creative sectors (2023/2051(INI)), European

Parliament resolution of 14 September 2023 on the future of the European book sector (2023/2053(INI)),

European Parliament resolution of 14 December 2022 on the implementation of the New European Agenda for

Culture and the EU Strategy for International Cultural Relations (2022/2047(INI)), European Parliament

resolution of 20 October 2021 on the situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU (2020/2261(INI) 6 Evaluation of the European Heritage Label (EHL) action for the period 2018-2024,, conducted by PPMI

for the European Commission (July 2025). 7 First Interim Evaluation of the European Capital of Culture Action 2020–2033, conducted by Ecorys

and KEA European Affairs for the European Commission (July 2025). 8 In particular, OMC Working Group of Member States’ experts of June 2023 ‘The status and working

conditions of artists and cultural and creative professionals’ and OMC Working Group of Member States’

Experts of 4 June 2021 entitled ‘Towards gender equality in the cultural and creative sectors’.

EN 12 EN

• Impact assessment

This proposal was subject to an impact assessment. Commission services have explored

several alternative policy options to address the challenges of the sectors concerned and

determined which option served better the policy areas and the priorities of the Commission.

The various options were mutually exclusive. One option was to continue the existing

Creative Europe and CERV programmes as stand-alone programmes, while introducing some

incremental improvements. A second option consisted of bringing together the programmes

aimed at protecting Union values, media and culture. A third option was a full integration

under a single instrument of policies covered today by CERV, Creative Europe, together with

those covered by Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC).

Other alternatives were also considered yet discarded at an early stage. One was the

discontinuation of the EU funding in the fields currently covered by CERV and Creative

Europe, but it was rejected given the importance of the problems affecting the sectors

concerned, the prominence given to these policies in the Political Guidelines and the

assessment of the continued relevance and added value of the EU funding intervention,

underpinned by the respective mid-term evaluations. The option of alternative merging of

programmes (e.g. only the Media strand of Creative Europe with the CERV programme) was

also abandoned at an early stage, as it would not have effectively aligned with political

priorities or adequately catered for the challenges of the sectors concerned.

The main potential impacts of the three shortlisted options (continuity, full integration, and

objective-based merger) were analysed across various social, economic and environmental

dimensions. Where relevant, the analysis also covered costs and benefits, impacts on

competitiveness and SMEs and on digitalisation, as well as their contribution to the United

Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The three policy options were assessed based

on their effectiveness, efficiency, coherence and proportionality, applying the Social Multi-

Criteria Evaluation (SMCE).

The evaluation of the options and their impacts highlighted that an integration based on policy

objectives (objective-based merger) would offer better potential compared to the two

alternatives. It would allow for reinforced coordination, targeted flexibility, and a more

impactful use of the EU budget – without sacrificing policy focus or accessibility. It would

offer the optimal balance between simplification and policy relevance. It is also congruent

with stakeholders’ calls, who ask for the simplification of access to funding, flexibility of

resource allocation and the application of common rules. In line with the Political Guidelines,

it follows a ‘funding-follows-policy’ principle, bringing together programmes aiming at

protecting culture, media and Union values. It will build on the success of current

programmes, best practices of the current MFF, as evidenced by evaluations, better addressing

transnational and common challenges, filling funding gaps at Member States level, and

enhancing coherence between internal and external policies, while enhancing synergies,

efficiency and effectiveness, and reducing overlaps. It will pay due visibility to each of the

policy areas included in the merged programme in full respect of the horizontal provisions

detailed in Regulation (EU, Euratom) [202X/XXX, Performance Regulation] applicable to all

Union programmes. It will also increase action on cross-cutting priorities and synergies

affecting the societal, media and cultural and creative sectors (e.g. sectoral skills, access to

finance, innovation uptake, etc.).

Based on the Better Regulation guidelines, this impact assessment report was submitted for

quality scrutiny to the Regulatory Scrutiny Board (RSB). The RSB gave an opinion on the

impact assessment on 13 June 2025. The RSB made a series of comments and

recommendations on scope, problem definition and the use of evaluations, intervention logic

EN 13 EN

and objectives, comparison of options and cost-benefit analysis, governance, coherence and

future monitoring and evaluation. The impact assessment accompanying this legal proposal

was reviewed in accordance with the Board’s comments.

• Regulatory fitness and simplification

The initiative will streamline EU management, governance and implementation of EU

programmes to improve efficiency for applicants, beneficiaries and EU institutions.

Application and reporting procedures will be simplified and further harmonised, through the

introduction of common or aligned rules, making it easier for applicants to apply to calls

addressing complementary policy objectives.

To simplify implementation and reduce administrative burden for beneficiaries, the use of

simplified forms of funding (including financing not linked to costs and lump sums) will

become the standard form of contribution for reimbursing grants. The use of financial support

to third parties, which has proven efficient in making EU funding more accessible to small

organisations, will also continue and could be extended where appropriate. Moreover,

increasing the use of multi-annual grants will also have a positive impact. Obstacles

encountered by grassroots organisations and first-time applicants will be addressed through

targeted simplification measures addressing their circumstances, enhanced communication,

and promotion of funding opportunities. The pooling of resources, including in areas such as

monitoring, internal and external communication will bring economies of scale and enhance

the predictability of EU funding more widely among beneficiaries, stakeholders and EU

citizens.

• Fundamental rights

Building on the previous Creative Europe and Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV)

programmes and pre-existing prerogative lines, the new instrument aims at promoting Union

values, including respect for fundamental rights, equality, democracy, as well as culture and

media.

It is in line with and promotes the values set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union.

The objectives of the new Programme are closely linked to the promotion of fundamental

rights and are thus in line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. In particular, this

proposal will contribute to the promotion and protection of the rights and principles enshrined

in Articles 8 (protection of personal data), 11 (freedom of expression, rights to information,

media freedom and pluralism), 12 (freedom of assembly and of association), 13 (freedom of

the arts and science), 15 (freedom to choose an occupation and right to engage in work), 20

and 21 (equality and non-discrimination), 22 (cultural and linguistic diversity), 23 (equality

between women and men), 24 (rights of the child), 26 (rights of persons with disabilities), 31

(fair and just working conditions), 32 (prohibition of child labour and protection of young

people at work), 33 (family and professional life), 39 to 46 (citizens’ rights) of the Charter.

4. BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS

see Annex

5. OTHER ELEMENTS

• Implementation plans and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements

This initiative will be monitored through the performance framework for the 2028-2034

budget defined in Regulation (EU) [XXX]* of the European Parliament and of the Council

EN 14 EN

[Performance], which also details the specific rules regarding evaluations. The evaluation

shall be conducted in accordance with the Commission's Better Regulation Guidelines and

will be based on indicators relevant to the objectives of the Programme.

A part of the Programme will be implemented by an Executive Agency under the supervision

of the Commission services responsible for the Programme.

• Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal

The general objectives of the Programme are to promote cultural and linguistic diversity and

heritage, to increase the competitiveness of the cultural and creative sectors, in particular the

media and audiovisual industries, to safeguard artistic and media freedom, and to protect and

promote equality, active citizenship, rights and values as enshrined in the Treaties and in the

Charter, thereby enhancing democratic participation and societal resilience within the Union.

Within this general objective, the Programme shall have three separate strands:

First, the ‘Creative Europe – Culture’ strand, which will implement the following specific

objective:

(a) Contribute to cross-border cultural creation, cooperation, participation and

accessibility, and cross-border circulation of a diversity of cultural works, while

strengthening the social, economic and international dimensions of the cultural and

creative sectors.

Second, the ‘MEDIA+’ strand, which will implement the following specific objectives:

(a) Contribute to the cultural diversity and competitiveness of the audiovisual and video

games industries, notably by enhancing creation and cross-border distribution of

European content and its access by citizens.

(b) Contribute to a free, viable and diverse Union information ecosystem, notably by

supporting free and independent journalism and news media, enhancing citizens’

access to trustworthy information and tackling disinformation.

Third, the Democracy, Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (‘CERV+’) strand, which will

implement the following specific objectives:

(a) Contribute to protecting and promoting fundamental rights, equality and non-

discrimination and Union citizens’ rights enshrined in the Treaties including free

movement of citizens, and empowering civil society.

(b) Contribute to fighting against gender-based violence, violence against children and

other groups at risk of such violence.

(c) Contribute to enhancing democratic participation and upholding the rule of law.

To maximise impact and enhance synergies across the strands, the Programme shall support

cross-cutting and horizontal activities contributing to the general objective, notably by

developing synergies between the cultural, media and civic spheres and promoting cross-

sectoral collaboration and innovation.

To be effective, the Programme should take into account the specific nature of the different

policies, their different target groups and their particular needs through targeted approaches.

EN 15 EN

2025/0550 (COD)

Proposal for a

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

establishing the 'AgoraEU' programme for the period 2028-2034, and repealing

Regulations (EU) 2021/692 and (EU) 2021/818

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular

Articles 19(2), 21(2), 24, 167(5), 168(5) and 173(3) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee9,

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions10,

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure

Whereas:

(1) Pursuant to Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), the Union is founded on

the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law

and the respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to

minorities, which are common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism,

non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men

prevail (‘Union values’). The Union values are reflected in the rights, freedoms and

principles set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the

‘Charter’). Article 3 TEU further mandates the Union to promote the protection of the

rights of the child. Article 10 TEU further states that the functioning of the Union shall

be founded on representative democracy, that citizens are directly represented at

Union level in the European Parliament and that citizens have the right to participate

in the democratic life of the Union. Article 20 establishes Union citizenship and sets

out important rights that citizens of the Union shall, inter alia, enjoy.

(2) Culture and media and promotion and respect of Union values are all crucial

components of a free, fair, diverse, inclusive and cohesive Union. Citizens’

participation and engagement, in due respect of Union values, constitutes the basis of

the democratic life of the Union, with media playing a crucial role in shaping public

opinion and free debate. Audiovisual works and all other forms of cultural and creative

expressions, including cultural heritage, are essential to Europe’s diversity and to

forging societal resilience and mutual understanding among European citizens and

communities.

9 OJ C , , p. . 10 OJ C , , p. .

EN 16 EN

(3) The ‘AgoraEU’ Programme (the ‘Programme’) will provide a significant contribution

to the attainment and realisation of these objectives, rights and values.

(4) The Programme should succeed the Creative Europe Programme established by

Regulation (EU) 2021/818 of the European Parliament and the Council11 and the

Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme, established by Regulation (EU)

2021/692 of the European Parliament and of the Council12. It should streamline

various funding actions in support of media freedom and pluralism, fight against

disinformation in support of the provision on information on Union affairs. Free and

pluralistic media and civil society are among key watchdogs of the Union’s

democratic systems, playing a crucial role for democratic resilience, and should be

supported. The Programme should also support the cultural, creative and media

sectors, harness the power of culture and cultural diversity, enhance the information

space, and support the Union’s efforts to strengthen a rights-based, inclusive, equal

and democratic society. This Regulation lays down an indicative financial envelope

for the ‘AgoraEU’ Programme13. For the purpose of this Regulation, current prices are

calculated by applying a fixed 2% deflator.

(5) To be effective, the Programme should take into account the specific nature and

challenges of the different policy areas and sectors, their different target groups and

their particular needs through targeted approaches.

(6) In a fast changing economic, social and geopolitical environment, the recent

experience has shown the need for a more flexible multiannual financial framework

and its programmes. To that effect, and in line with the objectives of the ‘AgoraEU’

Programme, the funding will take due account of the evolving policy needs and

Union’s priorities as identified in relevant documents published by the Commission, in

Council conclusions and European Parliament resolutions while ensuring sufficient

predictability for the implementation.

(7) The cultural and creative sectors, including performing arts (such as theatre and

dance), literature and book publishing, music, visual arts, tangible and intangible

cultural heritage, architecture, archives, libraries and museums, crafts and design

(including fashion design), serve as ‘public good’, generating meaning and embodying

the values of the Union. They are also a great asset for the Union and its regions,

attracting sustainable tourism and projecting the image of a dynamic continent on the

world stage. The Programme should take into account, on the one hand, their intrinsic

and artistic value, as well as, on the other hand, their extrinsic social and economic

contributions, including to social and territorial cohesion, well-being and health,

growth and job creation, competitiveness, creativity and innovation.

(8) The cultural and creative sectors are however fragmented along national and linguistic

lines in the Union. They also face multiple challenges, such as attacks on freedom of

11 Regulation (EU) 2021/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing

the Creative Europe Programme (2021 to 2027) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1295/2013 (OJ L 189,

28.5.2021, p. 34, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/818/oj). 12 Regulation (EU) 2021/692 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing

the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013 of the

European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EU) No 390/2014 (OJ L 156, 5.5.2021, p. 1,

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/692/oj). 13 Where relevant, the support provided by the Programme shall accelerate or boost investments by

addressing market failures or sub-optimal investment situations, in a proportionate manner, avoiding duplication

or crowding out, and by incentivising private funding, and shall have Union added-value.

EN 17 EN

artistic expression, precarious working conditions, digital transformations with the rise

of artificial intelligence, and the need to adapt to climate change. The Programme

should help those sectors respond to such challenges, untap their full potential and

project themselves resolutely into the future while ensuring the widest participation,

including from local and regional actors, through various channels and formats.

(9) Europe's cultural heritage is a shared and priceless legacy facing budget constraints,

natural and human-induced disasters, climate change, and regional conflicts. It is

important to safeguard and preserve such a legacy, enhancing access and fostering a

collective European identity. Digital preservation further ensures that future

generations can learn from, appreciate, and draw inspiration from their cultural

heritage.

(10) The Programme should also give financial support to the European Heritage Label and

the European Capitals of Culture actions, that celebrate and preserve Europe's rich

cultural diversity and heritage, connecting it to the local level and contributing to

culture-driven development strategies.

(11) Europe's media sectors hold a unique position in our democracies, culture, and

economies. They encompass, inter alia, content such as films, series, video games,

news and information, immersive reality and multimedia, as well as services including

theatrical exhibition, television and radio broadcasting, print and online publishing,

advertising online videos and podcasts. The digital transformation, notably the rise of

artificial intelligence, has accelerated media convergence, changed consumer

behaviour, disrupted business and revenue models, as well as intellectual property

management and exploitation. The Union should therefore help the Union’s media

thrive, foster innovation and access to finance, promote cross fertilisation between

news, audiovisual and other media sectors and support collaborations between

different types of media entities across the Union.

(12) The Union audiovisual sector faces challenges stemming from limited cross-border

circulation, shifting consumption habits and the dominance of non-Union players.

Given these challenges, Union intervention should support the capacity of European

audiovisual and video games industries to create, finance, produce and disseminate

European works on all platforms that are available and attractive to audiences within

the Union and beyond. It should foster transmedia adaptations of intellectual property

between different media formats, contribute to promoting collaboration among

Member States with different market capacities, and accompany the Union’s

audiovisual regulatory framework.

(13) News media outlets and journalists across the Union are under increased pressure,

notably due to the rise of global online platforms, shifting consumption habits and

growing spread of disinformation. These challenges impact news revenues and

distribution, undermining the viability and public trust in news media outlets, and

limiting citizens’ access to diverse, professionally produced European journalistic

content. The Union should support a viable, independent and diverse information

ecosystem, protect journalists under threat, promote media freedom and pluralism, and

reinforce the integrity of the information space, by promoting measures and enhancing

cooperation aimed at tackling disinformation and supporting digital and media

literacy, including for young people.

(14) Democracies in the Union are facing increasing challenges. Declining trust of citizens

in democratic institutions and processes is exacerbated by disinformation, social

EN 18 EN

polarisation and hatred impacting the electoral and other democratic processes. A

whole of society approach is needed to make European democracy more resilient.

(15) The protection and promotion of fundamental rights contributes to the construction of

a more democratic Union. Non-discrimination is a core principle of the Union

enshrined in Article 19 TFEU and in Article 21 of the Charter. Working towards an

equal and discrimination-free society contributes to untapping the potential of

individuals in their diversity and to cultural, economic and social growth. It also helps

to address important root causes of violence against vulnerable groups, which in turn

is a frontal attack on equality. Therefore, the Programme should promote actions to

address all forms of discrimination and intolerance, namely direct and indirect

discrimination, paying attention to the specific forms of structural and intersectional

discrimination, with a view to supporting relevant Union policy frameworks. The

Programme should support actions to prevent and combat all forms of xenophobia and

racism, antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia,

interphobia, intolerance and discrimination based on gender identity, intolerance

towards persons belonging to minorities including Roma, as well as hate speech. The

Programme should also contribute to enabling the Union to deliver on the commitment

taken as Party to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

adopted on 13 December 200614 to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal

enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with

disabilities.

(16) The rights to privacy and the protection of personal data, enshrined respectively in

Article 7 of the Charter and in Article 16 TFEU and Article 8 of the Charter, are

enforced through a dedicated Regulation15 and Directive16. The Union’s legal

framework lays down provisions to ensure that the right to protection of personal data

is effectively protected. These legal instruments entrust the national data protection

supervisory authorities with the task of promoting public awareness and understanding

the risks, rules, safeguards and rights in relation to the processing of personal data.

The Programme should contribute to raising awareness, carry out studies and other

relevant activities in this field, including through the national data protection

supervisory authorities, given the importance of the right to the protection of personal

data in times of rapid technological developments.

(17) Gender equality is a fundamental right and an objective of the Union and should be

supported by the Programme. Despite many achievements, significant challenges

remain, which require to reinforce the Union’s commitment. This includes working

towards freedom from gender-based violence, the highest standards of health,

including in particular sexual and reproductive health, equal pay and economic

empowerment, work-life balance and care, equal employment, career opportunities

and working conditions, quality and inclusive education, political participation and

equal representation, institutional mechanisms that deliver on women’s rights, actively

tackling gender stereotypes and addressing intersectional discrimination.

(18) Gender-based violence and violence against women, children, young persons and

other groups at risk, such as LGBTIQ persons and persons with disabilities, constitute

a serious violation of fundamental rights and continue to persist throughout the Union,

14 OJ L 23, 27.01.2010, p. 35-36 15 OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1-88. 16 OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 89-131.

EN 19 EN

in all social and economic contexts. Violence against women and persons belonging

to other groups at risk is a violation of human rights and a frontal attack on equality.

Thus, preventing and addressing such violence is a societal imperative and contributes

to tackling such discrimination as well as addressing the impacts of violence,

including on health. At the same time, ensuring a discrimination-free society will also

help address the root causes of violence against vulnerable groups, since they are

intrinsically linked. Therefore, the Programme should continue the longstanding

Union effort in preventing, responding to and fighting violence at all levels as well as

in protecting and supporting all direct and indirect victims and survivors of violence,

building on the five consecutive generations of the Daphne programme and strand17.

The Programme should support the achievement of the objectives of the Council of

Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women adopted in

Istanbul on 11 May 2011, the implementation of the Commission Recommendation on

developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests

of the child18, which protects children from any form of violence, as well as contribute

to enabling the Union to deliver on the commitment taken as Party to the UN

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which protects persons with

disabilities against any form of exploitation, violence and abuse.

(19) In accordance with Union acquis on equal treatment, the Member States have set up

independent bodies for the promotion of equal treatment (‘equality bodies’), which

play a key role in promoting equality and ensuring the effective application of equal

treatment legislation. Further, the Programme should support the European Network of

Equality Bodies (Equinet) composed of the national equality bodies as provided for by

Council Directive (EU) 2024/149919 and Directive (EU) 2024/1500 of the European

Parliament and of the Council20, since Equinet is the only entity which ensures

coordination of activities between equality bodies. This is of key importance for the

effective implementation of Union anti-discrimination law in the Member States.

(20) Citizens throughout the Union, many of whom regularly or at least occasionally travel

to, live, study, work or volunteer in another Member State, should feel able to enjoy

and exercise their citizenship rights and to place their trust in equal access, full

enforceability and protection of their rights without any discrimination, no matter

where in the Union they happen to be. Citizens should be more aware of their rights

deriving from citizenship of the Union, namely their right to move and reside freely in

the Union, their voting rights when residing in another Member State, their right to

petition the European Parliament in any of the official languages, their right to submit

17

Three consecutive generations of the Daphne programme ( OJ L 34, 9.2.2000, p. 1; OJ L 143,

30.4.2004, p. 1; OJ L 173, 3.7.2007, p. 19–26), and the results of the Daphne strands of the Rights, Equality and

Citizenship Programme (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 62–72 ) and the CERV Programme (OJ L 156, 5.5.2021, p. 1–

20). 18 C(2024) 2680 final (OJ L, 2024/1238, 14.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2024/1238/oj). 19

Council Directive (EU) 2024/1499 of 7 May 2024 on standards for equality bodies in the field of equal

treatment between persons irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, equal treatment in matters of employment

and occupation between persons irrespective of their religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, equal

treatment between women and men in matters of social security and in the access to and supply of goods and

services, and amending Directives 2000/43/EC and 2004/113/EC (OJ L, 2024/1499, 29.5.2024, ELI:

http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1499/oj). 20

Directive (EU) 2024/1500 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on standards

for equality bodies in the field of equal treatment and equal opportunities between women and men in matters of

employment and occupation, and amending Directives 2006/54/EC and 2010/41/EU (OJ L, 2024/1500,

29.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1500/oj).

EN 20 EN

citizens' initiatives and their right to lodge complaints with the European ombudsman

against institutional maladministration.

(21) Encouraging citizens to play a more active role in democracy at Union level will

strengthen European civil society and foster the development of a European identity.

Civil society therefore needs to be supported in promoting, safeguarding and raising

awareness of Union values and in contributing to the effective enjoyment of rights

under Union law. When Union citizens participate in the democratic life of the Union,

they contribute to making a reality representative democracy, a principle on which the

functioning of the Union is founded and which gives concrete expression to the value

of democracy enshrined in Article 2 TEU.

(22) In order to bring the Union closer to its citizens and to foster democratic participation,

a variety of actions and coordinated efforts are necessary. European citizenship and

European identity should be developed and advanced by encouraging citizens’

understanding of the policy-making process, and by promoting civic engagement in

the actions of the Union. Remembrance activities and critical reflection on Europe’s

historical memory are necessary to make citizens aware of the common history, and to

lay the foundation for a common future and shared values. Furthermore, supporting

civil society organisations at local, regional, national and transnational level in the

areas covered by the Programme will contribute to increasing citizens’ engagement in

society and ultimately to their active involvement in the democratic life of the Union.

At the same time, supporting activities that promote mutual understanding,

intercultural dialogue, cultural and linguistic diversity, social inclusion and respect for

others fosters a sense of belonging to the Union and of a common citizenship under a

European identity, based on a shared understanding of our common European values,

culture, history and heritage.

(23) Civil society organisations, and other civic space actors, such as independent human

rights bodies, equality bodies and Ombudspersons Institutions, play a vital role in

contributing to the implementation of policy, encouraging people’s participation,

holding institutions accountable, and driving positive change. The Programme should

help ensure sufficient resources and an enabling environment for them to operate

independently, freely, safely, and effectively. To this end, Union funding should

complement efforts at national level by supporting, protecting, empowering and

building their capacity, as emphasised in the European Parliament resolution of 19

April 201821, as well as Council conclusions of 10 March 202322 and 7 March 202523.

Civil society also plays an important role in ensuring an effective implementation of

Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council24 by

fostering a speak-up culture and a favourable environment for whistleblowers.

(24) The Court of Justice of the European Union has confirmed that the Union is a legal

structure that is based on the fundamental premise that each Member State shares with

21 2018/2619(RSP) (OJ C 390, 18.11.2019, p. 117–119, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal

content/EN/TXT/?uri=oj:JOC_2019_390_R_0017) 22 ST-7388/23, Council Conclusions on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; The role

of the civic space in protecting and promoting fundamental rights in the EU 23 ST-6878/25, Council Conclusions on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights: funding

to promote, protect and enforce fundamental rights 24 Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 on the

protection of persons who report breaches of Union law (OJ L 305, 26.11.2019, p. 17,

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/1937/oj).

EN 21 EN

all the other Member States, and recognises that they share with it, the common values

contained in Article 2 TEU, on which the Union is founded25. That premise is based

on the specific and essential characteristics of Union law, including the autonomy it

enjoys in relation to the laws of the Member States and to international law. That

premise implies and justifies the existence of mutual trust between the Member States

that those values will be recognised and, therefore, that the Union law that implements

them will be respected. It follows that compliance by a Member State with the values

contained in Article 2 TEU is a condition for the enjoyment of all the rights deriving

from the application of the Treaties to that Member State. The Court of Justice of the

European Union has therefore confirmed that in the areas for which the Union is

competent, it can take action to ensure respect for the values set out in Article 2 TEU.

(25) At a time when European societies face challenges that affect democracies, such as

raise of extremisms and intolerance, disinformation and foreign information

manipulation and interference by hostile actors, it is crucial that Union values such as

respect for fundamental rights, equality and democracy, continue to be actively

cultivated, protected, promoted, enforced, and shared among citizens and peoples, so

that those values remain at the heart of the Union project. A deterioration in their

protection in any Member State can have detrimental effects on the Union as a whole.

It is therefore crucial that this Programme contributes to protecting Union values,

including respect for fundamental rights, equality and democracy.

(26) In light of increasing risks linked to natural hazards, climate and environmental

disasters, health emergencies, technological accidents, evolving security threats, and

other disruptions, it is essential to enhance the Union’s and Member States’ capability

to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to crises. The Programme should therefore

support citizens’ education and engagement on crisis preparedness thus enhancing

societal resilience.

(27) Hence, the Programme should also support actions aiming at safeguarding and

strengthening democracy in the Union, reinforcing public trust in democracy and

democratic institutions, strengthening democratic preparedness and resilience,

fostering citizens’ engagement, participation and awareness of common history and

values, thereby supporting citizens’ exercise of their rights, including their electoral

rights, in full respect of Member States’ competences in the organisation of elections.

The Programme should also contribute to fostering critical thinking, civic participation

and democracy through education as a lifelong effort, so that all citizens have the skills

to recognise foreign information, manipulation and interference and disinformation.

(28) The Programme should foster synergies and complementarity with Global Europe as it

will contribute to the advancement of the Union’s international cultural relations and

to the Union’s external action objectives through cultural cooperation.

(29) The Programme should also support the financing of technical and organisational

support for the implementation of Regulation (EU)2019/788 of the European

Parliament and of the Council26, thereby underpinning the exercise by citizens of the

right to launch and support European citizens’ initiatives. Together with the other

rights set out in Article 24 TFEU, that right ensures citizens’ direct participation in the

democratic life of the Union.

25 This stems directly from Opinion 2/13, EU:C:2014:2454, paragraph 168. 26 Regulation (EU) 2019/788 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the

European citizens' initiative (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019, p. 55, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/788/oj).

EN 22 EN

(30) To ensure consistency, the budgetary guarantee and financial instruments under the

Programme, including when combined with other forms of non-repayable support in

blending operations, should be implemented in accordance with the applicable rules of

the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) InvestEU Instrument through agreements

concluded for that type of support under the ECF InvestEU Instrument.

(31) Where Union support under the Programme is to be provided in the form of a

budgetary guarantee or a financial instrument, including where combined with non-

repayable support in a blending operation, it is necessary that such support is provided

exclusively through the ECF InvestEU Instrument in accordance with the applicable

rules of the ECF InvestEU Instrument.

(32) The Commission should be able to divide budgetary commitments into annual

instalments. In that case, the Commission should commit the annual instalments

during the implementation of the Programme, taking into account the progress of the

actions that receive financial assistance, their estimated needs and the budget

available.

(33) Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council27

applies to the Programme. It lays down the rules on the establishment and the

implementation of the general budget of the Union, including the rules on grants,

prizes, non-financial donations, procurement, indirect implementation, financial

assistance, financial instruments and budgetary guarantees.

(34) In accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509, Regulation (EU, Euratom)

No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council28, Council Regulation

(EC, Euratom) No 2988/9529, Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/9630 and

Council Regulation (EU) 2017/193931, the financial interests of the Union are to be

protected through proportionate measures, including the prevention, detection,

correction and investigation of irregularities and fraud, the recovery of funds lost,

wrongly paid or incorrectly used and, where appropriate, the imposition of

administrative sanctions. In particular, in accordance with Regulations (EU, Euratom)

No 883/2013 and (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96, the European Anti-Fraud Office

(‘OLAF’) may carry out investigations, including on-the-spot checks and inspections,

with a view to establishing whether there has been fraud, corruption or any other

illegal activity affecting the financial interests of the Union. In accordance with

Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) may

27 Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September

2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (OJ L, 2024/2509, 26.9.2024, ELI:

http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509/oj). 28 Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11

September 2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and repealing

Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation

(Euratom) No 1074/1999 (OJ L248, 18.9.2013, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/883/oj). 29 Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European

Communities financial interests (OJ L 312, 23.12.95, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/1995/2988/oj). 30 Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks

and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities' financial interests

against fraud and other irregularities (OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2,

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/1996/2185/oj). 31 Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the

establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘the EPPO’) (OJ L 283, 31.10.2017, p. 1, ELI:

http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/1939/oj).

EN 23 EN

investigate and prosecute fraud and other illegal activities affecting the financial

interests of the Union as provided for in Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European

Parliament and of the Council32. In accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom)

2024/2509, any person or entity receiving Union funds is to fully cooperate in the

protection of the Union’s financial interests, to grant the necessary rights and access to

the Commission, OLAF, EPPO and the European Court of Auditors and to ensure that

any third parties involved in the implementation of Union funds grant equivalent

rights.

(35) The Programme is to be implemented in accordance with Regulation (EU) [XXX]* of

the European Parliament and of the Council [Performance] which establishes the rules

for the expenditure tracking and the performance framework for the budget, including

rules for ensuring a uniform application of the principles of ‘do no significant harm’

and gender equality referred to in Article 33(2), points (d) and (f), of Regulation (EU,

Euratom) 2024/2509 respectively, rules for monitoring and reporting on the

performance of Union programmes and activities, rules for establishing a Union

funding portal, rules for the evaluation of the programmes, as well as other horizontal

provisions applicable to all Union programmes such as those on information,

communication and visibility, while taking into account the scope and nature of the

activities and priorities.

(36) The Programme should also support the role of Programme Desks, which Member

States have the possibility to establish, and which should provide guidance and

assistance to applicants on funding opportunities and cross-border collaborations,

contributing to the Programme’s outreach visibility and dissemination in accordance

with Regulation (EU) [XXX]* of the European Parliament and of the Council

[Performance]. Programme Desks should carry out their functions independently and

without interference from public authorities in their decision making, and ought not to

have any responsibility regarding the management of the programme33 .

(37) Pursuant to Article 85(1) of Council Decision (EU) 2021/176434, persons and entities

established in overseas countries and territories are eligible for funding subject to the

ruled objectives of the Programme and possible arrangements applicable to the

Member State to which the relevant overseas country or territory is linked.

(38) Participation of third countries in the ‘Audiovisual’ specific objective requires a

certain level of reciprocity and regulatory alignment. For this reason, the situation of

their audiovisual markets, the proximity of their legal frameworks with the Union

32 Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2017 on the fight

against fraud to the Union's financial interests by means of criminal law (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, p. 29,

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2017/1371/oj). 33 In order to promote the Programme at national level, provide relevant information on the various types

of financial support available under Union policy, and assist operators to apply for support under the

Programme, the Programme shall support the establishment of Desks in participating countries. The Desks shall

implement their activities aiming to enhance outreach, visibility and dissemination of the Programme results in

accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 202X/XXXX which establishes the rules for the expenditure tracking

and the performance framework for the budget, including the rules applicable to all Union programmes

regarding information, communication and visibility obligations, including in particular obligations for

beneficiaries and implementing partners 34 Council Decision (EU) 2021/1764 of 5 October 2021 on the association of the Overseas Countries and

Territories with the European Union including relations between the European Union on the one hand, and

Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other (Decision on the Overseas Association, including

Greenland) (OJ L 355, 7.10.2021, p. 6, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2021/1764/oj).

EN 24 EN

audiovisual media acquis, in particular Directive 2010/13/EU, and the access to their

support schemes should be taken into consideration when concluding Association

Agreements. This is of particular importance concerning other European countries,

whose audiovisual works benefit from the provisions of Directive 2010/13/EU that

promote European works, notably the quotas system. In the specific case of acceding

countries, candidate countries and potential candidates, the requirement to align their

national legislations with Directive 2010/13/EU was already included in Regulation

(EU) 2021/818 establishing the Creative Europe Programme. This condition has been

an efficient incentive to accelerate their work on the overall alignment with the EU

acquis in view of accession.

(39) Since the objectives of this Regulation cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member

States but can rather, by reason of the transnational nature of the challenges, be better

achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the

principle of subsidiarity, as set out in Article 5 TEU. In accordance with the principle

of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what

is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.

(40) This Regulation establishes the Programme for 2028 to 2034, which succeeds to the

Programmes established by Regulations (EU) 2021/692 and (EU) 2021/818 for 2021

to 2027. Regulations (EU) 2021/692 and (EU) 2021/818 should therefore be repealed,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Chapter I

General provisions

Article 1

Subject matter

This Regulation establishes the ‘AgoraEU’ Programme (the ‘Programme’) and lays down the

objectives of the Programme, its budget for the period 2028-2034, the forms of Union funding

and the rules for providing such funding.

Article 2

Definitions

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definition applies:

‘award procedure’ means an award procedure, as defined in Article 2, point (3), of Regulation

(EU, Euratom) 2024/2509, as well as procedures for entrusting the implementation and

provision of support through financial instruments, for granting the budgetary guarantee, or

for providing support under the budgetary guarantee.

EN 25 EN

Article 3

Programme objectives

(1) The general objectives of the Programme are to promote cultural and linguistic

diversity and heritage, to increase the competitiveness of the cultural and creative

sectors, in particular the media and audiovisual industries, to safeguard artistic and

media freedom, and to protect and promote equality, active citizenship, rights and

values as enshrined in the Treaties and in the Charter, thereby enhancing democratic

participation and societal resilience.

(2) Within the general objectives set out in paragraph 1, the Programme shall have the

following strands, implementing the following specific objectives:

(a) the ‘Creative Europe - Culture’ Strand shall:

i. contribute to cross-border cultural creation, cooperation, participation and

accessibility, and cross-border circulation of a diversity of cultural works,

while strengthening the social, economic and international dimensions of the

cultural and creative sectors (‘culture’);

(b) the ‘MEDIA+’ strand shall:

i. contribute to the cultural diversity and competitiveness of the audiovisual and

video games industries, notably by enhancing creation and cross-border

distribution of European content and its access by citizens (‘audiovisual’);

ii. contribute to a free, viable and diverse Union information ecosystem, notably

by supporting free and independent journalism and news media, enhancing

citizens’ access to trustworthy information and tackling disinformation

(‘news’);

(c) the Democracy, Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (‘CERV+’) strand shall:

i. contribute to protecting and promoting fundamental rights, equality and non-

discrimination and Union citizen’s rights enshrined in the Treaties including

free movement of citizens, and empowering civil society (‘rights, equality,

citizens and civil society’);

ii. contribute to fighting against gender-based violence, violence against children

and other groups at risk of such violence (‘Daphne’);

iii. contribute to enhancing democratic participation and upholding the rule of law

(‘democratic participation and rule of law’).

(3) To maximise impact and enhance synergies across the strands referred to in

paragraph 2, the Programme shall support cross-cutting and horizontal activities

contributing to the general objective referred to in paragraph 1, notably by

EN 26 EN

developing synergies between the cultural, media and civic spheres and promoting

cross-sectoral collaboration and innovation.

Chapter II

Creative Europe - Culture strand

Article 4

Culture

Within the Creative Europe - Culture strand, the ‘Culture’ specific objective, covering the

cultural and creative sectors, shall focus on:

(a) fostering cross-border creation, cooperation and exchanges across

various formats, including through the mobility of artists and cultural and

creative professionals, artistic residencies, as well as partnerships

between organisations of all sizes;

(b) improving access to and participation in culture and cultural heritage for

all, notably for young people, and strengthening social resilience and

social cohesion, in particular intergenerational fairness, equality and

diversity, through cultural engagement;

(c) supporting the circulation, distribution, promotion and visibility of

diverse European cultural content through various channels across the

Union and internationally, including through European platforms for

emerging artists, support to entities aiming at training and promoting

young artists, prizes that promote artistic talent and excellence, touring

initiatives, festivals, and translation;

(d) strengthening the capacity and skills in the cultural and creative sectors to

drive innovation and competitiveness and to navigate the green and

digital transitions, including through support for networks of cultural and

creative organisations, training and peer-learning activities;

(e) promoting cultural policy development through cooperation and

exchange of good practices at Union level, and improving evidence base

through enhanced data collection, analysis, and pilot actions;

(f) advancing the Union’s international cultural relations and contributing to

the Union’s external action objectives through cultural cooperation;

(g) supporting the implementation of the Decisions No 445/2014/EU35 and

No 1194/2011/EU36 of the European Parliament and the Council of the

Union.

35 Decision No 445/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 establishing

a Union action for the European Capitals of Culture for the years 2020 to 2033 and repealing Decision No

1622/2006/EC (OJ L 132, 3.5.2014, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2014/445(1)/oj). . 36 Decision No 1194/2011/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011

establishing a European Union action for the European Heritage Label (OJ L 303, 22.11.2011, p. 1,

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2011/1194/oj). .

EN 27 EN

The implementation of the ‘Culture’ specific objective shall be carried out with full respect of

artistic freedom and diversity of cultural expressions, and contribute to the improvement of

working conditions for artists and cultural and creative professionals.

Chapter III

MEDIA+ strand

Article 5

Audiovisual

Within the MEDIA+ strand, the ‘Audiovisual’ specific objective shall focus on:

(a) supporting the creation of European audiovisual works across multiple

formats and genres, with the potential to reach diverse audiences across

borders;

(b) fostering the cross-border circulation, distribution, prominence and

visibility of European audiovisual works on all mediums across the

Union and internationally, including through coordinated distribution

strategies, marketing and promotion tools;

(c) building audiences for European audiovisual works, including through a

network of European cinemas, festivals and outreach campaigns, and

addressing in particular young Europeans and underserved communities;

(d) supporting the development and prototyping of European video games

and immersive content, including through market testing, promotion and

discoverability audience-driven strategies, and distribution across all

platforms;

(e) enhancing talent development, supporting access to finance, business-to-

business exchanges and networking, adoption of innovative tools and

business models and cross-media intellectual property exploitation

strategies, particularly in response to creative, market and technological

shifts;

(f) fostering policy dialogue, exchange of best practices, data collection and

analysis, including the payment of the contribution fee for Union

membership of the European Audiovisual Observatory;

(g) contributing to the implementation of Directive 2010/13/EU of the

European Parliament and of the Council.37

37 Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2010 on the

coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States

concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (OJ L 95, 15.4.2010, p. 1, ELI:

http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2010/13/oj).

EN 28 EN

The implementation of the ‘Audiovisual’ specific objective shall be carried out with full

respect for artistic freedom and ensuring collaboration among entities from Member States

with different audiovisual capacities.

Article 6

News

Within the MEDIA+ strand, the ‘News’ specific objective shall focus on:

(a) protecting news media outlets and journalists, especially where they face

threats, monitoring, assessing and addressing risks to media freedom and

pluralism in the internal market and promoting journalistic and editorial

standards;

(b) enhancing the production, distribution and consumption of professional

journalistic content, including coverage of Union affairs, investigative

journalism, local news, and public interest media;

(c) supporting the digital transformation of news organisations, innovative

practices, new production, distribution and business models, facilitating

access to finance and encouraging cross-border activities and the

reskilling and upskilling of news media professionals;

(d) enhancing cooperation and promoting measures aimed at monitoring and

safeguarding the online information space, including detecting and

combating disinformation and foreign information manipulation and

interference, thereby contributing to greater resilience across the Union;

(e) promoting digital and media literacy activities in order to enable citizens,

including young people, to use and develop a critical understanding of

the information ecosystem;

(f) reinforcing policy dialogue, data collection and analysis and development

of common standards, including by supporting the work of the European

Board for Media Services.

The implementation of the ‘News’ specific objective shall be carried out with full respect for

media editorial independence and professional standards.

EN 29 EN

Chapter IV

CERV+ Strand

Article 7

Rights, equality, citizens and civil society

Within the CERV+ strand, the ‘Rights, Equality, Citizens and Civil Society’ specific

objective shall focus on:

(a) promoting equality, and preventing and fighting against discrimination on the

grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or

sexual orientation, and all forms of racism and intolerance;

(b) promoting gender equality, gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment,

and protecting and promoting women’s full enjoyment of rights;

(c) promoting accessibility and protecting and promoting the rights of persons with

disabilities, supporting the EU implementation of the UN Convention on the

Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

(d) protecting and promoting the rights of the child;

(e) protecting and promoting freedom of expression, the right to privacy, the

protection of personal data as well as rights in the digital space;

(f) nurturing a vibrant civic space by building the capacity of, and providing

financial support to, civil society organisations, human rights defenders, and

other relevant actors, which are active at all levels in protecting, promoting and

raising citizen’s awareness of rights enshrined in the Treaty, promoting EU

democratic resilience, non-discrimination and equality and more broadly Union

values, such as the respect for fundamental rights, the rule of law, democracy

and in protecting and promoting respect of the Charter.

Article 8

Daphne

Within the CERV+ strand, the ‘Daphne’ specific objective shall focus on:

(a) preventing, responding to and fighting at all levels all forms of gender-based

violence against women and girls, domestic violence, and violence against children,

young and older people, LGBTIQ people, persons with disabilities and other groups

at risk;

(b) protecting and supporting all direct and indirect victims and survivors of violence as

referred in point (a);

(c) supporting the achievement of the objectives of the Council of Europe Convention

on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence in the

Union.

EN 30 EN

Article 9

Democratic participation and rule of law

Within the CERV+ strand, the ‘Democratic participation and rule of law’ specific objective of

the Programme shall focus on:

(a) protecting and promoting Union citizenship rights as well as citizens’

participation and engagement in the democratic and civic life of the Union, and

support open, resilient, rights-based, and equal societies based on the rule of

law;

(b) supporting free, fair, resilient, accessible and inclusive electoral and democratic

processes;

(c) promoting civic awareness and better understanding of the Union, its common

history, memory and diversity to foster mutual understanding and tolerance.

Chapter V

Cross-cutting and horizontal priorities and activities

Article 10

Within the general objectives set out in Article 3, the Programme shall support the following

cross-cutting and horizontal priorities and activities:

(a) cross-sectoral cooperation and innovation across the cultural, media and civic fields,

and protection of the integrity of the public discourse, thereby bolstering democratic

resilience, societal preparedness and cultural and civic engagement;

(b) a responsible use of innovative tools and content technologies, notably Artificial

Intelligence, as well as skills development and capacity-building through cross

sectoral approaches;

(c) actions for the development, implementation, and monitoring of relevant Union

legislation and policy in the culture, media and civic fields, including, where

applicable, through cooperation among national authorities and stakeholders.

(d) in line with the provisions of the Regulation (EU) [XXX]* of the European

Parliament and of the Council [Performance], the promotion of the Programme, and

its funding opportunities, including through Programme Desks, thereby enhancing

outreach, visibility and the dissemination of the Programme results;

The financing of cross-cutting and horizontal priorities and activities shall be determined by

their nature and scope.

EN 31 EN

Chapter VI

Financial provisions

Article 11

Budget

1. The indicative financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the

period 2028-2034 is set at EUR 8 582 000 000 in current prices.

2. Budgetary commitments for activities extending over more than one financial year

may be broken down over several years into annual instalments.

3. Appropriations may be entered in the Union budget beyond 2034 to cover the

expenses necessary and to enable the management of actions not completed by the

end of the Programme.

4. The financial envelope referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article and the amounts of

additional resources referred to in Article 12 may also be used for technical and

administrative assistance for the implementation of the Programme, such as

preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities, corporate

information technology systems and platforms, information and communication

activities, including corporate communication on the political priorities of the Union,

and all other technical and administrative assistance or staff-related expenses

incurred by the Commission for the management of the Programme.

Article 12

Additional resources

1. Member States, Union institutions, bodies and agencies, third countries, international

organisations, international financial institutions, or other third parties, may make

additional financial or non-financial contributions to the Programme. Additional

financial contributions shall constitute external assigned revenue within the meaning

of Article 21(2), points (a), (d), or (e), or Article 21(5) of Regulation (EU, Euratom)

2024/2509.

2. Resources allocated to Member States under shared management may, at their

request, be made available to the Programme. The Commission shall implement

those resources directly or indirectly in accordance with Article 62(1), point (a) or

(c), of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509. They shall be additional to the amount

referred to in Article 11(1) of this Regulation. Those resources shall be used for the

benefit of the Member State concerned. Where the Commission has not entered into

a legal commitment under direct or indirect management for additional amounts thus

made available to the Programme, the corresponding uncommitted amounts may, at

the request of the Member State concerned, be transferred back to one or more

respective source programmes or their successors.

EN 32 EN

Article 13

Alternative, combined and cumulative funding

1. The Programme shall be implemented in synergy with other Union programmes. An

action that has received Union contribution from another programme may also

receive a contribution under this Programme. The rules of the relevant Union

programme shall apply to the corresponding contribution, or a single set of rules may

be applied to all contributions and a single legal commitment may be concluded. If

all Union contributions are provided based on eligible cost, the cumulative support

from the Union budget shall not exceed the total eligible costs of the action and may

be calculated on a pro-rata basis in accordance with the documents setting out the

conditions for support.

2. Award procedures under the Programme may be jointly conducted under direct or

indirect management with Member States, Union institutions, bodies and agencies,

third countries, international organisations, international financial institutions, or

other third parties (‘partners to the joint award procedure’), provided the protection

of the financial interests of the Union is ensured. Such procedures shall be subject to

a single set of rules and lead to the conclusion of single legal commitments. For that

purpose, the partners to the joint award procedure may make resources available to

the Programme in accordance with Article 12 of this Regulation, or the partners may

be entrusted with the implementation of the award procedure, where applicable in

accordance with Article 62(1), point (c), of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509. In

joint award procedures, representatives of the partners to the joint award procedure

may also be members of the evaluation committee referred to in Article 153(3) of

Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.

Article 14

Third countries associated to the Programme

1. The Programme may be opened to the participation of the following third countries

through full or partial association, in accordance with the objectives laid down in

Article 3 and in accordance with the relevant international agreements or any

decisions adopted under the framework of those agreements and applicable to:

(a) members of the European Free Trade Association which are members of the

European Economic Area, as well as European micro-states;

(b) acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates;

(c) European Neighbourhood Policy countries;

(d) other third countries.

2. The Association Agreements for participation in the Programmes shall:

(a) ensure a fair balance as regards the contributions and benefits of the third

country participating in the Programmes;

(b) lay down the conditions of participation in the Union Programme, including the

calculation of financial contributions, consisting of an operational contribution

and a participation fee, to a programme and its general administrative costs;

(c) not confer on the third country any decision-making power in the Programme;

EN 33 EN

(d) guarantee the rights of the Union to ensure sound financial management and to

protect its financial interests;

(e) where relevant, ensure the protection of security and public order interests of

the Union.

For the purposes of point (d), the third country shall grant the necessary rights and access

required under Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 and Regulation (EU, Euratom) No

883/2013, and guarantee that enforcement decisions imposing a pecuniary obligation on the

basis of Article 299 TFEU, as well as judgements and orders of the Court of Justice of the

European Union, are enforceable.

3. The association agreements granting participation in the ‘Audiovisual’ specific

objective referred to in Article 3 shall take into account the situation of the

audiovisual market in the country concerned, including the proximity of their legal

framework with the Union audiovisual media acquis and the access to its equivalent

support schemes, in particular with regard to other European countries. The

agreements concluded with the countries referred to in paragraph 1 (b) shall require

the alignment of their national law to Directive 2010/13/EU to grant participation in

the ‘Audiovisual’ specific objective.

Article 15

Implementation and forms of Union funding

1. The Programme shall be implemented in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom)

2024/2509, under direct management or under indirect management with entities

referred to in Article 62(1), point (c) of that Regulation.

1. Union funding may be provided in any form in accordance with Regulation (EU,

Euratom) 2024/2509, in particular grants, prizes, procurement and non-financial

donations.

2. Where Union support is provided in the form of a budgetary guarantee or a financial

instrument, including where combined with non-repayable support in a blending

operation, it shall be exclusively provided through the ECF InvestEU Instrument and

implemented in accordance with the applicable rules of the ECF InvestEU

Instrument through agreements concluded for that type of support under the ECF

InvestEU Instrument.

3. Union support in the form of a budgetary guarantee shall be provided within the

maximum amount of the budgetary guarantee established by the ECF Regulation.

4. Where the Programme makes use of the ECF InvestEU Instrument, it shall provide

the provisioning for the budgetary guarantee and the financing to financial

instruments, including when combined with non-repayable support in the form of a

blending operation.

5. Where Union funding is provided in the form of a grant, funding shall be provided as

financing not linked to costs or, where necessary, simplified cost options, in

accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509. Funding may be provided in

the form of actual eligible cost reimbursement only where the objectives of an action

cannot be achieved otherwise.

EN 34 EN

6. For the purposes of Article 153(3) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509, the

evaluation committee may be composed partially or fully of independent external

experts.

7. Entities applying for a funding under the Creative Europe - Culture strand of the

Programme that have received over 50% of their annual revenue from public sources

over the last two years, shall be considered as having the necessary financial,

professional and administrative capacity to carry out activities under the Programme.

They shall not be required to present further documentation to demonstrate that

capacity.

Article 16

Eligibility

1. Eligibility criteria shall be set to support achievement of the objectives laid down in

Article 3, in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 and shall apply

to all award procedures under the Programme.

2. In award procedures under direct and indirect management, one or more of the

following legal entities may be eligible to provide or receive Union support:

(a) entities established in a Member States;

(b) entities established in an associated third country;

(c) international organisations;

(d) other entities established in non-associated third countries where the funding of

such entities is essential for implementing the action and contributes to the

objectives laid down in Article 3.

3. In addition to Article 168(2) and (3) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509,

associated third countries referred to in Article 14(1) of this Regulation may, where

relevant, participate in and benefit from any procurement mechanisms set out in

Article 168(2) and (3) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509. Rules applicable to

Member States shall be applied, mutatis mutandis, to participating associated third

countries.

4. Award procedures affecting security or public order, in particular concerning

strategic assets and interests of the Union or its Member States, shall be restricted in

accordance with Article 136 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.

5. The work programme referred to in Article 110 of Regulation (EU, Euratom)

2024/2509 may further specify the eligibility criteria set out in this Regulation or set

additional eligibility criteria for specific actions.

6. An operating grant may be awarded without a call for proposals to the European

Network of National Equality Bodies (Equinet), to cover expenditure associated with

the permanent work programme of Equinet.

EN 35 EN

Article 17

Work programme

The Programme shall be implemented by work programmes referred to in Article 110

Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509. The work programmes shall set out, where applicable,

the activities and related amounts of Union support to be implemented through the ECF

InvestEU instrument.

Chapter VII

Final provisions

Article 18

Repeal

Regulations (EU) 2021/692 and (EU) 2021/818 are repealed with effect from 1 January 2028.

Article 19

Transitional provisions

1. This Regulation shall not affect the continuation or modification of the actions

concerned, until their closure, under Regulations (EU) 2021/692 and (EU) 2021/818 ,

which shall continue to apply to the actions concerned until their closure.

2. The financial envelope for the Programme may also cover technical and

administrative assistance expenses necessary to ensure the transition between the

Programme and the measures adopted under Regulations (EU) 2021/692 and (EU)

2021/81.

Article 20

Entry into force and application

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in

the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 1 January 2028.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the European Parliament For the Council

The President The President

EN 1 EN

LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL AND DIGITAL STATEMENT

1. FRAMEWORK OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE ................................................. 3

1.1. Title of the proposal/initiative ...................................................................................... 3

1.2. Policy area(s) concerned .............................................................................................. 3

1.3. Objective(s) .................................................................................................................. 3

1.3.1. General objective(s) ..................................................................................................... 3

1.3.2. Specific objective(s) ..................................................................................................... 3

1.3.3. Expected result(s) and impact ...................................................................................... 3

1.3.4. Indicators of performance ............................................................................................ 3

1.4. The proposal/initiative relates to: ................................................................................. 4

1.5. Grounds for the proposal/initiative .............................................................................. 4

1.5.1. Requirement(s) to be met in the short or long term including a detailed timeline for

roll-out of the implementation of the initiative ............................................................ 4

1.5.2. Added value of EU involvement (it may result from different factors, e.g.

coordination gains, legal certainty, greater effectiveness or complementarities). For

the purposes of this section 'added value of EU involvement' is the value resulting

from EU action, that is additional to the value that would have been otherwise

created by Member States alone. ................................................................................. 4

1.5.3. Lessons learned from similar experiences in the past .................................................. 4

1.5.4. Compatibility with the multiannual financial framework and possible synergies with

other appropriate instruments ....................................................................................... 5

1.5.5. Assessment of the different available financing options, including scope for

redeployment ................................................................................................................ 5

1.6. Duration of the proposal/initiative and of its financial impact .................................... 6

1.7. Method(s) of budget implementation planned ............................................................. 6

2. MANAGEMENT MEASURES................................................................................... 8

2.1. Monitoring and reporting rules .................................................................................... 8

2.2. Management and control system(s) ............................................................................. 8

2.2.1. Justification of the budget implementation method(s), the funding implementation

mechanism(s), the payment modalities and the control strategy proposed .................. 8

2.2.2. Information concerning the risks identified and the internal control system(s) set up

to mitigate them............................................................................................................ 8

2.2.3. Estimation and justification of the cost-effectiveness of the controls (ratio between

the control costs and the value of the related funds managed), and assessment of the

expected levels of risk of error (at payment & at closure) ........................................... 8

2.3. Measures to prevent fraud and irregularities ................................................................ 9

3. ESTIMATED FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE ............ 10

3.1. Heading(s) of the multiannual financial framework and expenditure budget line(s)

affected ....................................................................................................................... 10

EN 2 EN

3.2. Estimated financial impact of the proposal on appropriations ................................... 12

3.2.1. Summary of estimated impact on operational appropriations.................................... 12

3.2.1.1. Appropriations from voted budget ............................................................................. 12

3.2.1.2. Appropriations from external assigned revenues ....................................................... 17

3.2.2. Estimated output funded from operational appropriations......................................... 22

3.2.3. Summary of estimated impact on administrative appropriations ............................... 24

3.2.3.1. Appropriations from voted budget .............................................................................. 24

3.2.3.2. Appropriations from external assigned revenues ....................................................... 24

3.2.3.3. Total appropriations ................................................................................................... 24

3.2.4. Estimated requirements of human resources.............................................................. 25

3.2.4.1. Financed from voted budget....................................................................................... 25

3.2.4.2. Financed from external assigned revenues ................................................................ 26

3.2.4.3. Total requirements of human resources ..................................................................... 26

3.2.5. Overview of estimated impact on digital technology-related investments ................ 28

3.2.6. Compatibility with the current multiannual financial framework.............................. 28

3.2.7. Third-party contributions ........................................................................................... 28

3.3. Estimated impact on revenue ..................................................................................... 29

4. DIGITAL DIMENSIONS .......................................................................................... 29

4.1. Requirements of digital relevance .............................................................................. 30

4.2. Data ............................................................................................................................ 30

4.3. Digital solutions ......................................................................................................... 31

4.4. Interoperability assessment ........................................................................................ 31

4.5. Measures to support digital implementation .............................................................. 32

EN 3 EN

1. FRAMEWORK OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE

1.1. Title of the proposal/initiative

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council establishing

the ‘AgoraEU’ Programme and repealing regulations (EU) No 2021/692 and No

2021/818 for the period 2028-2034

1.2. Policy area(s) concerned

Culture, audiovisual and media, fundamental rights, equality and non-discrimination,

the rule of law, civil society, democratic participation.

1.3. Objective(s)

1.3.1. General objective(s)

The general objectives of the Programme are to promote cultural and linguistic

diversity and heritage, to increase the competitiveness of the cultural and creative

sectors, in particular the media and audiovisual industries, to safeguard artistic and

media freedom, and to protect and promote equality, active citizenship, rights and

values as enshrined in the Treaties and in the Charter, thereby enhancing democratic

participation and societal resilience within the Union.

1.3.2. Specific objective(s)

The Programme will underpin the following specific objectives:

a) contribute to cross-border cultural creation, cooperation, participation and

accessibility, and cross-border circulation of a diversity of cultural works, while

strengthening the social, economic and international dimensions of the cultural and

creative sectors (‘culture’);

b) contribute to the cultural diversity and competitiveness of the audiovisual and

video games industries, notably by enhancing creation and cross-border distribution

of European content and its access by citizens (‘audiovisual’);

c) contribute to a free, viable and diverse Union information ecosystem, notably by

supporting free and independent journalism and news media, enhancing citizens’

access to trustworthy information and tackling disinformation (‘news’);

d) contribute to protecting and promoting fundamental rights, equality and non-

discrimination and Union citizen’s rights enshrined in the Treaties including free

movement of citizens, and empowering civil society (‘rights, equality, citizens and

civil society’).

e) contribute to fighting against gender-based violence, violence against children and

other groups at risk of such violence (‘Daphne’).

f) contribute to enhancing democratic participation and upholding the rule of law

(‘democratic participation and rule of law’).

To maximise impact and enhance synergies, the Programme shall support cross-

cutting and horizontal activities contributing to the general objectives, notably by

developing synergies between the cultural, media and civic spheres and promoting

cross-sectoral collaboration and innovation.

EN 4 EN

1.3.3. Expected result(s) and impact

Specify the effects which the proposal/initiative should have on the beneficiaries/groups targeted.

The Programme will have positive impact on cross-border cultural cooperation,

cultural participation and accessibility, and circulation of diverse cultural works. This

will come through promotion of cooperation, creation, networking and pooling of

experience in the cultural and creative sectors (CCS), support of circulation of

diverse cultural content and access to cultural diversity and heritage, and support of

mobility of artists and CCS professionals beyond national borders. Actions will

result in, among others, better equipped CCS to address key challenges, reinforced

CCS creative potential in respect of artistic freedom, a more diverse cultural content

circulating beyond national borders, more artists and CCS professionals expanding

their careers, increased and more inclusive access to more diverse cultural content

and heritage, increased international cultural partnerships and exchanges, increased

digitisation, access, preservation and reuse of digital heritage.

The Programme will have positive impact on supporting the creation, circulation and

access of EU audiovisual and media content, and a diverse information market.

Support to audiovisual works will contribute to strengthening European cultural

diversity and competitiveness, through e.g. co-productions. It will bring

improvements as well in the creation, circulation and access to video games content,

and foster cross-media IP exploitation. The integrity of the EU information market

will be protected through support to media pluralism and independence, media

viability and media literacy, and by strengthening situational awareness.

The Programme will have positive impact on the protection and promotion of

fundamental rights and non-discrimination, as well as on a thriving civic space.

Actions will have the effect to increase the visibility and awareness of fundamental

rights, reduce discrimination and harassment. Actions will also have the effect to

protect individuals, and particularly women, children and groups at risk from

violence and to support victims in addressing its consequences. Citizens and

organisations will be able to participate meaningfully in the political, economic,

social and cultural life of their societies. Citizens will be able to freely express their

views, choose their political leaders, and have a say about their future.

1.3.4. Indicators of performance

Specify the indicators for monitoring progress and achievements.

The output and result indicators for the purpose of monitoring progress and

achievements of this programme will correspond to the common indicators provided

under Regulation (EU) [XXX]* of the European Parliament and of the Council

[Performance].

1.4. The proposal/initiative relates to:

¨a new action

¨ a new action following a pilot project / preparatory action38

☒ the extension of an existing action

¨a merger or redirection of one or more actions towards another/a new action

38 As referred to in Article 58(2), point (a) or (b) of the Financial Regulation.

EN 5 EN

1.5. Grounds for the proposal/initiative

1.5.1. Requirement(s) to be met in the short or long term including a detailed timeline for

roll-out of the implementation of the initiative

The Programme will contribute to tackling specific and common challenges and

fostering synergies in the culture, media, and civic spheres while taking into account

the specific nature and challenges of the different policy areas, their different target

groups and their particular needs. By bringing together support in these areas, the

Union will be better equipped to address recurrent but also new and emerging policy

priorities, such as protecting democracies, rights and equality, fostering an enabling

space for civil society, contributing to cultural and linguistic diversity and to the

protection of cultural heritage, strengthening the cultural and creative sectors and

increasing their resilience, promoting media freedom and pluralism, and enhancing

the economic growth of the media and cultural players.

1.5.2. Added value of EU involvement (it may result from different factors, e.g.

coordination gains, legal certainty, greater effectiveness or complementarities). For

the purposes of this section 'added value of EU involvement' is the value resulting

from EU action, that is additional to the value that would have been otherwise

created by Member States alone.

Reasons for action at EU level (ex-ante)

Funding covered by the programme concentrates on activities where the EU

intervention can bring additional value compared to action of Member States alone.

In particular:

- Addressing transnational and common challenges (e.g., shrinking civic spaces,

threats to media freedom and pluralism, fragmentation of the cultural, creative and

media sectors along national and linguistic borders): these challenges makes it

difficult for Member States to address them sufficiently on their own. EU level

efforts enable cooperation, capacity building, mutual learning and the pooling of

resources, sharing of expertise and best practices.

- National-level funding and policies alone are insufficient to protect and promote

EU values and democratic standards, and to safeguard the civic space. This also

applies to the overall competitiveness and diversity of the media, audiovisual and

other cultural and creative sectors.

- EU support is essential to maintain access to audiovisual and cultural content across

all Member States and a high level of protection of fundamental rights.

- EU support fill funding and service gaps not covered at Member State level.

- EU action is critical to promote Union values at international level, implementing

international standards coherently with internal policies.

Expected generated EU added value (ex-post)

- EU-level action will enable transnational cooperation, pooling of resources, and

exchange of best practices across Member States, leading to more coherent and

impactful responses to shared challenges.

- EU support will complement national measures by supporting areas underfunded or

deprioritized nationally.

EN 6 EN

- EU action will enhance mobility of professionals and circulation, reinforcing the

functioning of the internal market and cultural and linguistic diversity.

- EU-level actions will raise awareness of rights and nurture a sense of EU

citizenship and mutual understanding, through the greater awareness and

appreciation of cultural diversity, the protection and promotion of Union values,

supporting democratic and societal resilience, and a trustworthy information space,

objectives that national interventions alone cannot fully achieve.

- EU support will foster cross border access to media, audiovisual and other cultural

and creative content to European citizens.

1.5.3. Lessons learned from similar experiences in the past

The results of the mid-term evaluations for the period 2021-2027 indicate that the

existing programmes have largely delivered on their policy objectives and provided

EU added value, while highlighting areas for improvement in terms of design. For

example, the interim evaluation of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV)

programme confirmed that the programme occupies a largely empty space in the

values and fundamental rights funding landscape. Creative Europe has contributed to

support cultural and linguistic diversity by increasing people’s access to diverse

European content as well as to help audiovisual and other creative and cultural

operators to scale up at European level and become more competitive. The

evaluation on Multimedia Actions equally confirmed the added value of supporting

independent news coverage on EU affairs.

The evaluations also point to areas of improvement in terms of design. These include

expanding the reach of the programmes, easing access, simplifying management,

enhancing monitoring, strengthening synergies and avoiding overlaps with other

programmes, and increasing flexibility to address new challenges.

1.5.4. Compatibility with the multiannual financial framework and possible synergies with

other appropriate instruments

The initiative is part of the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework proposal.

The initiative is aligned with the overarching Commission’s 2024-2029 policy

priorities, namely in terms of 1) Supporting people, strengthening our societies and

our social model; 2) Protecting our democracy, upholding our values; 3) Europe’s

sustainable prosperity and competitiveness; and 4) a global Europe.

1) Synergies with policies supporting people, strengthening our societies and our

social model

Synergies will be fostered between media, culture, values and rights initiatives and

the future intervention in the fields of education, solidarity and youth. These

synergies, such as in media literacy, digital skills, civic engagement and civic

education, arts and culture education, and skills development and inclusion, will be

promoted in line with the objectives of the European Youth Strategy and the EU

Citizenship Report as well as other upcoming policy initiatives. The initiative

complements some initiatives under employment and social policies. Promoting

equal access to rights and fostering diversity will support social inclusion and fair

labour markets. The cultural and creative sectors and media industries will actively

contribute to the upskilling and reskilling of professionals, in the context of the

EN 7 EN

Union of Skills, likewise, it will likely favour the creation of jobs in these sectors.

The cultural and creative sectors will also focus on improving working conditions of

artists and of cultural and creative professionals.

2) Synergies with justice policies

The alignment between justice policies and the rule of law creates a robust

framework that ensures accountability, promotes legal coherence across Member

States, and protects fundamental rights, thereby enhancing trust and cooperation

within the Union. The relationship between fundamental rights and justice policies is

key in shaping fair and equitable societies. Fundamental rights – ranging from the

right to a fair trial, freedom from discrimination to the protection of privacy – define

the essential standards that justice systems must uphold, and translate abstract

principles into concrete legal measures and practices. For instance, anti-

discrimination laws enforce the principle of equality before the law. Thus, the

synergy between fundamental rights and justice policies ensures that legal systems

not only prevent abuses but actively promote dignity, equality, and freedom. This

synergy is essential for building public trust in legal institutions, fostering social

cohesion, and ultimately ensuring that justice is accessible and meaningful for all

individuals. To this end, synergies will be fostered between this programme and the

future Justice programme.

3) Synergies with policies for the Single Market and competitiveness

The initiative will complement the EU policy framework on Single Market and

economic competitiveness. Notably, it builds on the 2024 Single Market and

Competitiveness Report, which adopts an ecosystem-based approach to strengthen

the resilience and strategic autonomy of key industrial sectors, including cultural and

creative industries. It also reflects the objectives of the Competitiveness Compass,

which sets out clear benchmarks to improve the EU’s long-term productivity and

promote innovation.

The initiative will strengthen synergies with the future European Competitiveness

Fund and the future programme for research and innovation. This includes support

for multidisciplinary research in a variety of topics including democracy, values,

equality, and disinformation, but also on digital and industrial topics closely linked to

the cultural and creative sectors (e.g., extended reality, immersive environments, new

media). Moreover, the proposal contributes to addressing Europe’s digital

transformation, in line with the objectives of the Digital Decade 2030.

4) Synergies with policies for a global Europe

The future programme will complement actions financed through the Union external

actions. For instance, by promoting cultural exchanges and supporting EU media and

audiovisual content globally including through international collaborations, it will

open new markets, attract global talent, enhance the EU’s influence and

attractiveness on the world stage.

1.5.5. Assessment of the different available financing options, including scope for

redeployment

-

EN 8 EN

1.6. Duration of the proposal/initiative and of its financial impact

☒ limited duration

– ☒ in effect from 01/01/2028 to 31/12/2034

– ☒ financial impact from 2028 to 2034 for commitment appropriations and from

2028 to 203x for payment appropriations.

¨ unlimited duration

– Implementation with a start-up period from YYYY to YYYY,

– followed by full-scale operation.

1.7. Method(s) of budget implementation planned

☒ Direct management by the Commission

– ☒ by its departments, including by its staff in the Union delegations;

– ☒ by the executive agencies

¨ Shared management with the Member States

☒ Indirect management by entrusting budget implementation tasks to:

– ¨ third countries or the bodies they have designated

– ☒ international organisations and their agencies (e.g. UNESCO, OECD, CoE...)

– ☒ the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund

– ¨ bodies referred to in Articles 70 and 71 of the Financial Regulation

– ☒ public law bodies (eg Pillar assessed bodies)

– ☒ bodies governed by private law with a public service mission to the extent that

they are provided with adequate financial guarantees

– ☒ bodies governed by the private law of a Member State that are entrusted with

the implementation of a public-private partnership and that are provided with

adequate financial guarantees (Pillar assessed bodies)

– ¨ bodies or persons entrusted with the implementation of specific actions in the

common foreign and security policy pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on

European Union, and identified in the relevant basic act

– ¨ bodies established in a Member State, governed by the private law of a Member

State or Union law and eligible to be entrusted, in accordance with sector-specific

rules, with the implementation of Union funds or budgetary guarantees, to the

extent that such bodies are controlled by public law bodies or by bodies governed

by private law with a public service mission, and are provided with adequate

financial guarantees in the form of joint and several liability by the controlling

bodies or equivalent financial guarantees and which may be, for each action,

limited to the maximum amount of the Union support.

Comments

The programme will be implemented under direct management (with parts delegated to the

European Education and Culture Executive Agency) as well as under indirect management

EN 9 EN

through International organisations (e.g. UNESCO, OECD, CoE,...) and other Pillar assessed

bodies, which has proven to be successful in previous Multiannual Financial Frameworks

(MFFs).

EN 10 EN

2. MANAGEMENT MEASURES

2.1. Monitoring and reporting rules

(41) The monitoring and reporting rules for this programme will follow the requirements

laid down in Regulation (EU) [XXX]* of the European Parliament and of the Council

[Performance].

2.2. Management and control system(s)

2.2.1. Justification of the budget implementation method(s), the funding implementation

mechanism(s), the payment modalities and the control strategy proposed

The majority of the Programme's actions will be implemented under direct

management mode, and partly delegated to the European Education and Culture

Executive Agency (EACEA). The current implementing mode has proven effective

in the precedessor programmes, and the error rates are currently less than 2% for the

Creative Europe programme, based on preliminary results for the current MFF.

Funding will be implemented using the implementation modes offered by the

Financial Regulation, mainly grants and procurement, as this allows to better adapt

the actions to the needs of the policy and to have more flexibility to re-adjust

priorities in particular through grants. Grants will be in the form of actual costs, lump

sums, flat rates, unit costs or a combination of these. The use of scales of units costs

and other simplified measures will reduce the scope for error in cost claims. Several

measures to allow better access for example for smaller organisations, simplification

of guidelines and procedures on the basis of the Financial Regulation will be applied

(see above).

Direct management by the Commission will also allow to establish direct contacts

with the beneficiaries/contractors engaged in the implementation of activities that

serve Union policies.

2.2.2. Information concerning the risks identified and the internal control system(s) set up

to mitigate them

The Programme faces the same risks as other Commission programmes that target

beneficiaries which are diverse in nature. In particular, some beneficiaries are not

recurring or do not have extensive administrative structures. Risks are mainly related

to (1) ensuring quality of selected projects and their subsequent technical

implementation; (2) risk of inefficient or non-economic use of funds awarded, both

for grants and procurement; (3) fraud.

Most of these risks are expected to be reduced thanks to: (1) careful design of calls

for proposals; (2) guidance to applicants and beneficiaries; (3) the use of the

simplified cost options of unit costs, flat rates and lump sums, which have been

effectively applied in the current MFF and are provided in the Financial Regulation;

(4) the use of corporate procedures and systems for the management of proposals and

grants (e.g. grants vademecum, e-Grants etc.) to ensure a full alignment with best

practice in all stages of the grant and procurement lifecycles.

The control strategy is composed of different building blocks: (1) programming,

evaluation and selection of proposals to ensure that only best proposals are funded;

(2) signing and monitoring of grant agreements, subject to ex ante verification at

both financial and policy level; (3) ex post audits based on a “detection strategy”

EN 11 EN

aimed at identifying a maximum of anomalies in view of recovering undue

payments.

Parts of the Programme will continue to be implemented by the Education and

Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) which uses the same corporate procedures

applied throughout the Commission.

EACEA applies an annual ex post audit plan which covers all actions, and confirms

an error rate below 2% for the current MFF.

Currently, EACEA is supervised by its Steering Committee with DG EAC and DG

CNECT as the parent DGs regarding the Creative Europe programme as well as DG

JUST as parent DG for the CERV programme. Regular reporting via dashboards is

ensured as well as regular coordination meetings with the parent DGs.

2.2.3. Estimation and justification of the cost-effectiveness of the controls (ratio between

the control costs and the value of the related funds managed), and assessment of the

expected levels of risk of error (at payment & at closure)

The cost of controls of the programme amounts to approximately 6% of the

payments done by the Commission. This is expected to stay stable or slightly

decrease if the use of simplified cost options is further expanded. The objective for

the management and control system is to maintain the expected levels of risk of error

(at payment and at closure) below the materiality threshold of 2%.

2.3. Measures to prevent fraud and irregularities

The responsible services will continue to apply their Anti-Fraud Strategy – that are in

line with the Commission’s Anti-Fraud Strategy (CAFS) – to ensure inter alia that

their internal anti-fraud related controls are fully aligned with the CAFS and that its

fraud risk management approach is geared to identify fraud risk cases and adequate

responses.

Anti-fraud strategies of both EACEA and the Commission enable fraud risk to be

addressed, mainly via measures to prevent irregularity which are then escalated in the

event of fraud detection. The following measures will continue to be implemented,

both at the parent DGs as in EACEA: Desk monitoring, monitoring missions in

accordance with a defined monitoring strategy, clear reporting requirements in the

grant agreements with beneficiaries, kick-off meetings with new beneficiaries,

possibility to cut grants upon non-delivery of results or non-compliance with certain

funding conditions such as those linked to communication.

Beneficiaries in exclusion cases are submitted to the Early Detection and Exclusion

Database (EDES) and cases are followed up with OLAF and the European Public

Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).

EN 12 EN

3. ESTIMATED FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE

3.1. Heading(s) of the multiannual financial framework and expenditure budget

line(s) affected

• New budget lines requested

In order of multiannual financial framework headings and budget lines.

Heading of

multiannual

financial

framework

Budget line Type of

expenditure Contribution

Number

Diff./Non-

diff.

from

EFTA

countries

from

candidate

countries

and

potential

candidates

from

other

third

countries

other assigned

revenue

2

06 01 02 Support expenditure for

‘AgoraEU’

Non-diff YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO

2 06 03 01 Creative Europe - Culture

Diff. YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO

2 06 03 02 MEDIA+

Diff. YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO

2 06 03 03 CERV+

Diff. YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO

EN 13 EN

3.2. Estimated financial impact of the proposal on appropriations

3.2.1. Summary of estimated impact on operational appropriations

–  The proposal/initiative does not require the use of operational appropriations

–  The proposal/initiative requires the use of operational appropriations, as explained below

3.2.1.1. Appropriations from voted budget

EUR million (to three decimal places)

Heading of multiannual financial framework 2

Year Year Year Year Year Year Year TOTAL MFF 2028-

2034 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034

Operational appropriations

Budget line 06 03 01 Creative Europe - Culture Commitments (1a) 0,230 0,238 0,247 0,256 0,265 0,275 0,285 1,796

Payments (2a) pm pm pm pm pm pm pm pm

Budget line 06 03 02 MEDIA+ Commitments (1b) 0,409 0,424 0,439 0,455 0,472 0,489 0,506 3,194

Payments (2b) pm pm pm pm pm pm pm pm

Budget line 06 03 03 CERV+

Commitments (1c) 0,460 0,477 0,494 0,512 0,531 0,550 0,569 3,593

Payments (2c) pm pm pm pm pm pm pm pm

Of which: 06 03 03 01 Equality, Rights, Citizens

and Values

Commitments pm pm pm pm pm pm pm pm

Payments pm pm pm pm pm pm pm pm

Of which: 06 03 03 02 Democratic participation

and rule of law

Commitments pm pm pm pm pm pm pm pm

Payments pm pm pm pm pm pm pm pm

Of which: 06 03 03 03 Daphne Commitments pm pm pm pm pm pm pm pm

EN 14 EN

Payments pm pm pm pm pm pm pm pm

Appropriations of an administrative nature financed from the envelope of specific programmes3940

Budget line 06 01 02 support expenditure for

AgoraEU (3) pm pm pm pm pm pm pm pm

TOTAL appropriations Commitments =1a+1b+3

1,099 1,139 1,180 1,223 1,268 1,313 1,360 8,582

Payments =2a+2b+3 pm pm pm pm pm pm pm pm

Heading of multiannual financial framework 4 ‘Administrative expenditure’41

EUR million (to three decimal places)

DG: <EAC/CNECT/JUST>

Year Year Year Year Year Year Year TOTAL

MFF

2028-

2034 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034

 Human resources 37,070 37,070 37,070 37,070 37,070 37,070 37,070 259,490

 Other administrative expenditure 1,523 1,538 1,553 1,569 1585 1,602 1,619 10,988

TOTAL

<…….> Appropriations 38,593 38,608 38,623 38,639 38,655 38,672 38,689 270,478

TOTAL appropriations under HEADING 4 of the multiannual financial

framework

(Total

commitments

= Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

39 40 Technical and/or administrative assistance and expenditure in support of the implementation of EU programmes and/or actions (former ‘BA’ lines), indirect research, direct

research. 41 The necessary appropriations should be determined using the annual average cost figures available on the appropriate BUDGpedia webpage.

EN 15 EN

payments)

EUR million (to three decimal places)

Year Year Year Year Year Year Year TOTAL MFF

2028-2034 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034

TOTAL appropriations

under HEADINGS 1 to

4

Commitments pm pm pm pm pm pm pm pm

of the multiannual

financial framework Payments pm pm pm pm pm pm pm pm

3.2.2. Estimated output funded from operational appropriations (not to be completed for decentralised agencies)

(42) The output and result indicators for the purpose of monitoring progress and achievements of this programme will correspond to the common

indicators provided under Regulation (EU) [XXX]* of the European Parliament and of the Council [Performance].

Commitment appropriations in EUR million (to three decimal places)

Indicate

objectives and

outputs



Year 2028

Year 2029

Year 2030

Year 2031

Enter as many years as necessary to show the

duration of the impact (see Section1.6) TOTAL

OUTPUTS

Type42

Avera

ge

cost

N o

Cost N o

Cost N o

Cost N o

Cost N o

Cost N o

Cost N o

Cost Total

No

Total

cost

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE No 143…

- Output

42 Outputs are products and services to be supplied (e.g. number of student exchanges financed, number of km of roads built, etc.). 43 As described in Section 1.3.2. ‘Specific objective(s)’

EN 16 EN

- Output

- Output

Subtotal for specific objective No 1

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE No 2 ...

- Output

Subtotal for specific objective No 2

TOTALS

EN 17 EN

3.2.3. Summary of estimated impact on administrative appropriations

–  The proposal/initiative does not require the use of appropriations of an administrative nature

–  The proposal/initiative requires the use of appropriations of an administrative nature, as explained below

3.2.3.1. Appropriations from voted budget

VOTED APPROPRIATIONS Year Year Year Year Year Year Year TOTAL 2028 -

2034 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034

HEADING 4

Human resources 37.070 37,070 37,070 37,070 37,070 37,070 37,070 259,4900.000

Other administrative expenditure 1,523 1,538 1,553 1,569 1,585 1,602 1,619 10,988

Subtotal HEADING 4 38,593 38,608 38,623 38,639 38,655 38,672 38,689 270,4780.000

Outside HEADING 4

Human resources p.m.. p.m. p.m. p.m.. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

Other expenditure of an administrative nature p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

Subtotal outside HEADING 4

TOTAL

3.2.4. Estimated requirements of human resources

–  The proposal/initiative does not require the use of human resources

–  The proposal/initiative requires the use of human resources, as explained below

3.2.4.1. Financed from voted budget

Estimate to be expressed in full-time equivalent units (FTEs)

EN 18 EN

VOTED APPROPRIATIONS Year Year Year Year Year Year Year

2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034

 Establishment plan posts (officials and temporary staff)

20 01 02 01 (Headquarters and Commission’s Representation Offices)

182 182 182 182 182 182 182

20 01 02 03 (EU Delegations) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

(Indirect research) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

(Direct research) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Other budget lines (specify) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

• External staff (inFTEs)

20 02 01 (AC, END from the ‘global envelope’) 28 28 28 28 28 28 28

20 02 03 (AC, AL, END and JPD in the EU Delegations) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Admin. Support line - at Headquarters 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

[XX.01.YY.YY] - in EU Delegations 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

(AC, END - Indirect research) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

(AC, END - Direct research) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Other budget lines (specify) - Heading 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Other budget lines (specify) - Outside Heading 4 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

TOTAL 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

[XX.01.YY.YY] - in EU Delegations 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

(AC, END - Indirect research) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

EN 19 EN

(AC, END - Direct research) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Other budget lines (specify) - Heading 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Other budget lines (specify) - Outside Heading 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 220 220 220 220 220 220 220

The staff required to implement the proposal (in FTEs):

To be covered by current

staff available in the

Commission services

Exceptional additional staff*

To be financed under

Heading 4 or Research

To be financed from BA

line

To be financed from

fees

Establishment plan posts 139 43 N/A

External staff (CA, SNEs,

INT)

25 3 10

Description of tasks to be carried out by:

Officials and temporary staff

External staff

3.2.5. Overview of estimated impact on digital technology-related investments

TOTAL Digital and IT

appropriations

Year Year Year Year Year Year Year TOTAL MFF

2028 - 2034

2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034

EN 20 EN

HEADING 4

IT expenditure (corporate) 1,804 1,804 1,804 1,804 1,804 1,804 1,804 12,628

Subtotal HEADING 4 1,804 1,804 1,804 1,804 1,804 1,804 1,804 12,628

Outside HEADING 4

Policy IT expenditure on operational programmes

8,500 8,500 8,500 8,500 8,500 8,500 8,500 59,500

Subtotal outside HEADING 4 8,500 8,500 8,500 8,500 8,500 8,500 8,500 59,500

TOTAL 10,304 10,304 10,304 10,304 10,304 10,304 10,304 72,128

3.2.6. Compatibility with the current multiannual financial framework

The initiative is consistent with the proposal for the MFF 2028-2034.

3.2.7. Third-party contributions

The proposal/initiative:

–  does not provide for co-financing by third parties

–  provides for the co-financing by third parties estimated below:

Appropriations in EUR million (to three decimal places)

Year Year Year Year Year Year Year

Total 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034

EN 21 EN

Specify the co-financing

body

TOTAL appropriations

co-financed

3.3. Estimated impact on revenue

–  The proposal/initiative has no financial impact on revenue.

–  The proposal/initiative has the following financial impact:

–  on own resources

–  on other revenue

–  please indicate, if the revenue is assigned to expenditure lines

EUR million (to three decimal places)

Budget revenue line:

Appropriations available

for the current financial

year

Impact of the proposal/initiative44

Year 2028 Year 2029 Year 2030 Year 2031 Year 2032 Year 2033 Year 2034

Article ………….

For assigned revenue, specify the budget expenditure line(s) affected.

Other remarks (e.g. method/formula used for calculating the impact on revenue or any other information).

44 As regards traditional own resources (customs duties, sugar levies), the amounts indicated must be net amounts, i.e. gross amounts after deduction of 20% for collection

costs.

EN 22 EN

4. DIGITAL DIMENSIONS

4.1. Requirements of digital relevance

Reference to the

requirement Requirement description

Actors affected or

concerned by the

requirement

High-level

Processes Categories

Chapter VI – Article 11

[…] Technical and administrative

assistance for the implementation of the

Programme

European Commission;

Beneficiaries

Programme

implementation

through Direct

Grant Management

Digital solutions

Chapter V – Article 10

[…] including through Programme

Desks, thereby enhancing outreach,

visibility and dissemination of the

Programme’s results.

European Commission,

National Authorities;

Beneficiaries

Dissemination Digital solutions

Chapter II – Article 4(e) […] improving evidence base through

enhanced data collection, analysis[…]

European Commission,

Executive Agencies,

Beneficiaries

Evidence-based

policy-making,

programme

implementation

and monitoring;

evaluation

Digital solutions,

data

Chapter III – Article 5(f) Fostering […]data collection and

analysis […]

European Commission,

Executive Agencies,

Beneficiaries

Evidence-based

policy-making,

programme

implementation

and monitoring;

Digital solutions,

data

EN 23 EN

evaluation

Chapter III – Article 6(f) Focus on […] data collection and

analysis, and development of common

standards […]

European Commission,

Executive Agencies,

Beneficiaries

Evidence-based

policy-making,

programme

implementation

and monitoring;

evaluation

Digital solutions,

data

4.2. Data

High-level description of the data in scope and any related standards/specifications

Type of data Reference(s) to the

requirement

Standard and/or specification (if applicable)

Countries, organisations, budget,

participants and priorities per project

Chapter VI, Article 11

Chapter V, Article 10

Chapter II – Article 4(e)

Chapter III, Article 5(f) and

Article 6(f)

Regulation (EU, Euratom)

(202X-XXXX Performance

regulation)

eGrants and databases of any implementing body in the frame

of the programme

Alignment with the European Data Strategy

Explain how the requirement(s) are aligned with the European Data Strategy

EN 24 EN

The provisions under the proposal support interoperability, reusability, and secure data sharing, in line with the European Data Strategy.

Where personal data is processed (e.g., participants), it aligns with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The architecture is also

consistent with the Open Data Directive, as relevant aggregated, non-personal data may be made available for reuse by researchers or public

bodies.

Alignment with the once-only principle

Explain how the once-only principle has been considered how the possibility to reuse existing data explored

Dashboards established are the source of traceability and re-usability of the data available from the programme implementation. Data comes

from application forms, and final reports as well as possibly Programme desks.

Explain how newly created data is findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable, and meets high-quality standards

(43) For specific strands of the Programme, traceability and re-usability of the data available from the programme implementation will be

ensured. The data will be recorded via the project lifecycle documents and made accessible, in line with the provisions of the

Regulation (EU) [XXX]* of the European Parliament and of the Council [performance] regarding transparency of information on

programmes performance and achievements through the Single Gateway portal.

Data flows

Type of data Reference(s) to the

requirement(s)

Actor who

provides the

data

Actor who

receives the data

Trigger for the data

exchange

Frequency (if applicable)

Countries,

organisations,

budget,

participants and

priorities per

project

Chapter VI – Article 11

Chapter V – Article 10

Chapter II – Article 4(e)

Chapter III, Article 5(f)

Beneficiaries,

Programme

Desks

General public

Commission

European

Parliament

Council of the

Regulation (EU,

Euratom) [202X-XXXX

Performance

Regulation]: Article

XXX (monitoring) and

Article XXX

(implementation report

Regulation (EU, Euratom)

[202X-XXXX

Performance Regulation]

Article XXX (monitoring)

and Article XXX

(implementation report

and retrospective

EN 25 EN

and Article 6(f)

Regulation (EU,

Euratom) [202X-XXXX

Performance Regulation]

European Union and retrospective

evaluations).

Regular programme

reporting

evaluations).

4.3. Digital solutions

Digital

solution

Reference(s)

to the

requirement(s)

Main mandated

functionalities

Responsible

body

How is accessibility

catered for?

How is

reusability

considered?

Use of AI technologies

(if applicable)

Digital

solution #1 –

Direct Grant

Management

platform

Chapter VI –

Article 11

Direct Grant

Management

European

Commmission

In accordance with

Commission

Standard

// The platform shall

leverage the use

artificial intelligence

where relevant and

adhering with the

precautionary principle.

Digital

solution #2 –

Dissemination

platform(s)

Chapter V –

Article 10

Disseminate

Programme’s results

European

Commmission

In accordance with

Commission

Standard

// The platform shall

leverage the use

artificial intelligence

where relevant and

adhering with the

precautionary principle.

Digital solution #1 - Direct Grant Management platform

EN 26 EN

Digital and/or sectorial policy (when these are

applicable)

Explanation on how it aligns

AI Act When leveraging AI, the European Commission will ensure the compliance with

the AI Act.

EU Cybersecurity framework Without prejudice to Regulation (EU) 2016/679, the European Commission shall

ensure the security, integrity, authenticity and confidentiality of the data collected

and stored for the purpose of this regulation.

eIDAS Not Applicable

Single Digital Gateway and IMI Not Applicable

Others //

Digital solution #2 - Dissemination platform(s)

Digital and/or sectorial policy (when these are

applicable)

Explanation on how it aligns

AI Act When leveraging AI, the European Commission will ensure the compliance with

the AI Act.

EU Cybersecurity framework Without prejudice to Regulation (EU) 2016/679, the European Commission shall

ensure the security, integrity, authenticity and confidentiality of the data collected

and stored for the purpose of this regulation.

eIDAS Not Applicable

EN 27 EN

Single Digital Gateway and IMI Not Applicable

Others //

4.4. Interoperability assessment

Not applicable

4.5. Measures to support digital implementation

Description of the measure Reference(s) to the

requirement(s)

Commission role

(if applicable)

Actors to be

involved

(if applicable)

Expected timeline

(if applicable)

    Resolutsiooni liik: Riigikantselei resolutsioon Viide: Kultuuriministeerium /  / ; Riigikantselei /  / 2-5/25-01475

Resolutsiooni teema: "AgoraEU" 2028-2034 rahastuspogramm

Adressaat: Kultuuriministeerium Ülesanne: Tulenevalt Riigikogu kodu- ja töökorra seaduse § 152` lg 1 p 2 ning Vabariigi Valitsuse reglemendi § 3 lg 4 palun valmistada ette Vabariigi Valitsuse seisukoha ja otsuse eelnõu järgneva algatuse kohta, kaasates seejuures olulisi huvigruppe ja osapooli:

- Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing the 'AgoraEU' programme for the period 2028-2034, and repealing Regulations (EU) 2021/692 and (EU) 2021/818, COM(2025) 550.

EISi toimiku nr: 25-0446

Tähtaeg: 31.10.2025

Adressaat: Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium, Justiits- ja Digiministeerium, Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium, Rahandusministeerium, Siseministeerium, Sotsiaalministeerium Ülesanne: Palun esitada oma sisend Kultuuriministeeriumile seisukohtade kujundamiseks antud eelnõu kohta (eelnõude infosüsteemi (EIS) kaudu).

Tähtaeg: 12.09.2025

Lisainfo: Eelnõu on kavas arutada valitsuse 13.11.2025 istungil ja Vabariigi Valitsuse reglemendi § 6 lg 6 kohaselt sellele eelneval nädalal (05.11.2025) EL koordinatsioonikogus. Esialgsed materjalid EL koordinatsioonikoguks palume esitada hiljemalt 31.10.2025.

Kinnitaja: Merli Vahar, Euroopa Liidu asjade direktori asetäitja Kinnitamise kuupäev: 06.08.2025 Resolutsiooni koostaja: Elen Nurme [email protected], 693 5201  

.

5.08.2025

Ettepanek: AgoraEU (COM (2025) 550)

Otsuse ettepanek koordinatsioonikogule

Kujundada seisukoht

Kaasvastutaja sisendi tähtpäev: 12.09.2025

KOKi esitamise tähtpäev: 5.11.2025

VV esitamise tähtpäev: 13.11.2025

Subsidiaarsuse tähtpäev: -

Seisukoha valitsusse toomise alus ja põhjendus

 Algatuse vastuvõtmisega kaasneks oluline majanduslik või sotsiaalne mõju (RKKTS § 152¹ lg 1 p 2).

Vastutav ministeerium: Kultuuriministeerium

Kaasvastutajad: Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium, Sotsiaalministeerium, Justiits- ja Digiministeerium, Rahandusministeerium, Siseministeerium, Haridus- ja Teadusministeerium

Sisukokkuvõte

Euroopa Komisjon avaldas 16.07.2025 määruse eelnõu (COM (2025) 550), millega luuakse aastateks 2028-2034 AgoraEU rahastuspogramm ja mille eesmärk on toetada kultuurilist ja keelelist mitmekesisust ning pärimust, kultuuri- ja loomesektori konkurentsivõimet, kaitsta kunstilist ja meediavabadust ning edendada võrdsust ja aktiivset kodanikuühiskonda.

Eelnõuga sätestatakse programmi eesmärgid, osalemise tingimused, eelarve ja rahastusreeglid.

Eesmärgid

Eelnõu jaotab programmi meetmed kolme suunda.

Esiteks – Loov Euroopa – Kultuur, millega toetatakse piiriüleseid kultuuriprojekte, neis osalemist ja ligipääsetavust, ning kultuuri piiriülest levitamist, tugevdades kultuuri ja loovsektori sotsiaalset, majanduslikku ja rahvusvahelist mõõdet.

2

Teiseks – MEDIA+, millega toetatakse audiovisuaalsektori ja videomängude tööstuse kultuurilist mitmekesisust ja konkurentsivõimet, edendades Euroopa sisu piiriülest levi ja kättesaadavust.

Kolmandaks – Demokraatia, kodanikud, võrdsus, õigused ja väärtused (CERV+), mille kaudu panustatakse põhiõiguste, võrdsuse kaitsesse ja diskrimineerimise vastu võitlemisse, samuti EL kodanike aluslepingutest tulenevate õiguste tagamisse, nt vaba liikumise ja kodanikuühiskonna võimestamise põhimõtete elluviimisse. Sama suuna all toetatakse ka soopõhise ja lastevastase vägivalla vastu võitlemisse ning teiste vägivalla riskis olevate ühiskonnagruppide kaitsmisesse. Kolmandaks toetatakse osalemise edendamist demokraatlikes protsessides ja õigusriigi põhimõtete kaitset.

Programmi eelarve on eelnõu kohaselt 8,58 miljardit eurot ning rakendamine toimub tööprogrammide kaudu. Nähakse ette ka lisarahastuse võimalus täiendavatest allikatest, nt EL asutused, liikmesriigid, rahvusvahelised organisatsioonid, kolmandad riigid.

Kas EL algatus reguleerib karistusi või haldustrahve? Ei

Kas nähakse ette uue asutuse loomine (järelevalvelised või muud asutused)? Ei

Kas lahenduse rakendamine vajab IT-arendusi? Vajab analüüsi

Mõju ja sihtrühm

Algatus mõjutab kultuuri- ja mäluasutusi, meediateenuste ja videomängude sektori ettevõtteid, samuti kodanikuühiskonna organisatsioone.

Kaasamine

Kaasata kõik asjassepuutuvad partnerid ja huvirühmad.