Culture in EU Development Policies

At the beginning of June, the European Commission adopted a communication entitled ‘Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations’, which aims at enhancing the consistency of the EU’s cultural action abroad, including its development policies.

In light of this new Communication, and the New EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy for the EU, we at More Europe – external cultural relations are now sharing our thoughts on why we believe the EU should develop adequate programmes for cultural cooperation projects in the field of development. We also present recommendations to ensure the EU takes the full potential of culture into account in its development policies.

Our complete advocacy paper, entitled “Culture in EU Development Policies”, is available for download here and we share with you the main points below.

Why is it important that the EU develop adequate programmes for cultural cooperation projects in the field of development?

1. To respect the political commitments that have already been taken at the EU level in the last decades;

2. Because culture is a powerful means to achieve other development goals, such as reducing poverty, ensuring sustainable development and promoting democracy, peace and security;

3. Because culture is not a sterile and useless expense: cultural industries create employment and generate revenues. Besides, artists are catalysers of creativity in a society, and creativity favours innovation and evolution;

4. Because culture is also a substantial component of human and sustainable development, rather than merely existing as a tool for the achievement of results in other fields, and it constitutes a solid pillar for democracy and human rights through identity building, promotion of active citizenship and social cohesion;

5. To bring a European added-value to cultural cooperation projects in the development field.

What type/format of programmes and instruments are needed? How to adapt the existing programmes and instruments to the specificities of the cultural sector?

We would recommend the following:

1. Integrate third countries partners in the conception of projects,

2. Adapt the EU calls to specific needs and contexts of the cultural sectors outside the EU,

3. Support the ‘phasing-in’ and ‘phasing-out’ of projects,

4. Ensure equal partnerships between Europeans and non-Europeans,

5. Explore possibilities for re-granting through independent local institutions and other innovative financial schemes,

6. Open-up to new players,

7. Include other international organisations.

Only by consistently integrating culture in all its external policies will the EU be able to play a role in the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals that it actively contributed to shape, and promote democracy, peace and security across the globe.