The European Union's new approach to culture, known as the Culture Compass for Europe, was approved by the College of Commissioners on W...
The European Union's new approach to culture, known as the Culture Compass for Europe, was approved by the College of Commissioners on Wednesday. This framework marks the first time the EU will adopt a unified strategy towards cultural matters.
Created by European Commissioner for Culture, Youth and Sports Glenn Micallef, it serves as a progressive tool to collect information, encourage effective methods, and influence upcoming legal focuses within the field.
"It's the approach that has been eagerly awaited by the industry, organizations, the parliament, and the council, but most importantly by artists," Micallef says in an exclusive interview with Euronews after the text was approved.
It is a plan that represents a long-term goal for what we aim to accomplish in the cultural field.
The schedule for this output is suitable, given its emphasis on protecting creative liberty and its contribution to maintaining democratic values.
When artists are free to express themselves, when they have the freedom to creatively convey their perspectives, then democracy has a voice," he states. "Therefore, our goal is to enhance artistic freedom. We aim to provide individuals with the chance to [...] easily access our culture and heritage in Europe, as this is one of the most powerful defenses we have against division and extremism.
Reports keep coming in about attacks on artistic freedom, such as censorship and inappropriate interference, which impact the autonomy of cultural organizations. Against these challenges, cultural institutions have been advocating for European Union measures to safeguard creative expression.
One of the pledges outlined in the Compass is the regular release of a "Report on the State of Culture in the EU," seen as the cultural equivalent to the EU's "Rule of Law Report."
This will be supported by an EU cultural data hub that will observe changes and gather top methods, while advancements will be monitored through an EU high-level forum on this issue.
The Cultural Compass — a tool designed to collect information, encourage effective methods, and influence upcoming legal agendas — is anticipated to be endorsed by all three EU bodies in 2026.
AI concerns
Europe is well-known globally for its rich cultural heritage and variety, but until recently, policy development in this area was scattered. The concept of placing culture at the forefront of policy discussions became more prominent last year when Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the Commission's priorities for 2024-2029, emphasizing Europe's cultural diversity and heritage as crucial to its future.
Furthermore, an EU strategic framework for culture was called for by the European Parliament and European Council. There is also widespread public backing to enhance the region's cultural scene: a recent Eurobarometer poll on culture revealed that 87% of participants believed culture should hold a "very significant position" within the EU.
The Compass seeks to enhance the acknowledgment of the sector's social and economic significance. "This is an industry that adds €200 billion each year to our economies," Micallef points out.
40% of our tourism is related to cultural experiences. Therefore, these play a major role in supporting our communities, our democratic values, and also our competitive edge.
One of the key modern issues that the Culture Compass highlights is the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Micallef points out that digital technologies are reshaping cultural and creative sectors and industries — particularly emphasizing AI's contribution to changing cultural production.
He states, 'We must adopt these technologies. In the cultural field, these are innovations that are making a significant difference. They present a major opportunity for the sector, but only when the right circumstances are in place.'
The primary issue arising from these technologies concerns intellectual property rights. Numerous creators have voiced their dissatisfaction with AI systems utilizing protected material without obtaining consent. This has led to lawsuits being filed against various organizations.
This week, a German court made a significant decision, stating that OpenAI is required to pay a fee for using protected song lyrics in its artificial intelligence (AI) systems, such as ChatGPT.
Micallef highlighted the EU's current regulatory, legally enforceable structures that establish guidelines for this technology, such as the Digital Services Act, the AI Act, and the Copyright Directive.
"These are instruments that assist in protecting the rights of creators and guarantee they receive compensation if their work is to be utilized. However, we must move further than this," he states.
The Culture Compass thus suggests creating a new AI approach for the cultural and creative industries, considering their unique requirements in upcoming digital policies.
The emphasis will be on encouraging cooperation between artists and the digital industry, advocating for the responsible application of AI, and determining the assistance and changes required to safeguard content and creators.
Culture must pay rent
Nearly 8 million individuals work in cultural and creative businesses across the EU — representing approximately 4% of the region's workforce — covering a broad spectrum of roles. This proportion is comparable to that of the agricultural industry.
"People shape culture, and there can be no art, no culture without artists and creative professionals, and the Culture Compass makes this evident. They are the ones who give vitality to the cultural sector," Micallef states.
Although the sector plays a vital role, artists encounter challenges related to unstable working environments. Cultural jobs often do not provide a satisfactory income, leading many to take on additional employment to make ends meet. Moreover, freelance and self-employment are more prevalent compared to other industries, and job contracts tend to be less secure.
"Half of the individuals employed in this field report experiencing unfavorable working conditions. If we keep permitting this situation, it will become extremely challenging for the cultural sector to draw in and maintain skilled professionals," explains the European Commissioner.
So, if we aim to harness the potential that culture can offer to our society, as well as to our economies, this needs to shift. Culture must be able to cover its expenses.
To enhance the working environment for artists, the Compass suggests establishing an EU Artists Charter. This initiative aims to not only suggest pledges for equitable working conditions but also to boost adherence and responsibility.
We aim to initiate that conversation right away in December during the high-level round table focused on artists' working conditions," he states. "Here, we will convey a clear message of our dedication to enhancing the situation.
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