The European Commission has unveiled the Culture Compass for Europe, a comprehensive new framework that will guide EU cultural policy well beyond the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Presented in Brussels on 12 November 2025, the initiative establishes a renewed political vision for culture as a driver of democracy, social cohesion, competitiveness and resilience.
For the European Theatre Convention (ETC), the announcement marks a particularly meaningful achievement: the launch of a new European Prize for Performing Arts - a long-awaited recognition for the sector and a result that goes even further than ETC’s longstanding call for a dedicated European Theatre Prize.
After years of advocacy, including key policy inputs such as the Opole Recommendations, the Commission has not only responded to the need for greater visibility and professional recognition for theatre, but elevated the ambition to the full performing arts field. This new prize, set to be launched on the second quarter of 2027, represents a significant step forward in acknowledging the richness, skills, and interdisciplinary innovation of Europe’s performing arts ecosystem.
A New Compass for Culture in Europe
The Culture Compass is the European Commission’s new long-term vision designed to shape EU cultural policy and to place culture at the centre of the EU’s political and societal project.
The Culture Compass will guide EU policies in four key directions, for an EU that:
- upholds and strengthens European values and cultural rights;
- empowers artist and cultural professionals, and supports people;
- draws on culture and cultural heritage to become more competitive, resilient and cohesive;
- and champions international cultural relations and partnerships.
Europe is a global cultural powerhouse - a rich tapestry of languages, traditions, art, architecture, and music. With over 500 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Europe has more heritage sites than any other region in the world. Today, I am incredibly proud to present the Culture Compass for Europe. The Culture Compass points to what keeps Europe human, harnessing the power of art, culture and creativity, celebrating our differences. The Compass’ strategic vision – ‘Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe’ - sets into motion 20 flagship actions driven by four key directions. It connects culture to Europe’s future – where culture creates and inspires without borders, where culture works for its artists, and empowers its sectors, and connects us to the world.
Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport
The Four Directions of the Culture Compass
- Values and Rights
This direction focuses on protecting cultural rights, strengthening access, and showcasing artistic excellence. - Artists and People
Here, the Commission seeks to improve the working lives of artists and cultural workers and to support citizens’ wellbeing through culture. - Competitiveness, Resilience and Cohesion
This set of actions addresses how culture can contribute to Europe’s future competitiveness and societal resilience. - International Cultural Relations and Partnerships
The fourth direction reinforces Europe’s cultural presence globally.
A Win for European Theatre
The announcement of the European Prize for Performing Arts marks a rare and significant moment: an EU-level recognition designed specifically for the performing arts sector.
For ETC and its members, this is an important advocacy success:
- It exceeds the scope of the European Theatre Prize that ETC has been lobbying for.
- It recognises the entire performing arts field, creating space for interdisciplinary excellence and new artistic forms.
- It strengthens sector visibility at European level, addressing long-standing concerns about recognition, mobility and professionalisation.
As the performing arts navigate new challenges, from AI to sustainability, from fair working conditions to democratic resilience, the establishment of this prize signals a renewed commitment to supporting artistic creation at the heart of Europe’s cultural identity.
The Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council (Culture and sport) - Consilium will take place on Friday 28 November 2025. The agenda points will address, among others, culture and democratic resilience, as well as the AgoraEU programme.
The Council will seek to approve conclusions on the strategic role of culture, cultural heritage and audiovisual works in upholding European values and democratic resilience.
The conclusions highlight the specific and essential role of culture and cultural diversity in fostering cohesion, identity and democratic resilience in European societies.
The Council will also be invited to take note of a progress report prepared by the Danish presidency on the proposed regulation establishing the AgoraEU programme for 2028-2034.
The proposal, which was published on 16 July 2025 in the context of the multiannual financial framework, brings together €8.6 billion in funding from Creative Europe and the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme.
Cover photo: Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, and Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport © Copyright European Union - 2025
