With a budget of €380 million, in 2026 Creative Europe will ensure continuity in its actions, while providing appropriate and relevant support to the cultural and creative sectors.
Creative Europe will contribute to the protection of democracy, the green and digital transitions and the strengthening of social and economic resilience.
Its general objectives remain to safeguard cultural diversity and strengthen the competitiveness of the cultural and creative sectors.
Priorities in 2026
The priorities of the new College of Commissioners provide a special role for culture and media. These priorities include protecting democracy, boosting societal resilience, upholding values and safeguarding the rule of law.
Creative Europe will keep on contributing to the EU’s overarching priorities to support
- the greening efforts
- the digital transition of the cultural and creative sectors
- inclusion and gender equality practices
- the role of culture in the EU international relations
Funding is provided though 3 strands.
Culture strand
The call for European cooperation projects, with a budget of €60 million, will be published in the first quarter of 2026 and will be open to small-scale and medium-scale projects. The call for the Circulation of European literary works will be published in autumn 2025.
3 new calls for proposals will be introduced:
- the third edition of Perform Europe for 2026-2027
- the implementation of the European Heritage Label until 2029
- a new action based on the model of the European Spaces of Culture
Support to cultural prizes, networks, platforms, Pan-European cultural entities and to Creative Europe’s mobility scheme, Culture Moves Europe, will continue.
MEDIA strand
Several funding actions have been adapted, drawing on the experience gained in implementation and responding to market trends.
Support of high-quality content
- European Slate Development
- European Mini-Slate Development
- European Co-development
- Video Games & Immersive content development
Support of business collaborations
- European Film Distribution
- European Film Sales
- Innovative tools and business models
- MEDIA Stand
Support of reaching wider audiences
- Network of European Cinemas
- Films on the move
- Networks of European festivals
- VOD Networks and Operators
- Subtitling cultural content
Other actions remain unchanged.
Business cluster
- Talent and skills
- Markets and Networking
Policy support
- European Board for Media Services (EMFA)
- European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO) membership and cooperation
- Communication and engagement
- Audience outreach and awareness campaigns
- MEDIA Carbon Calculator
- renewalMediaInvest
Cross-sectoral strand
Actions adjusted
- Creative Innovation Lab
- Media Literacy
Actions unchanged
- Journalism Partnerships
- Media Pluralism Monitor
- European Board for Media Services
Find information about funding opportunities
Potential applicants should regularly visit
- The European Education and Culture Executive Agency’s website
- The CulturEU Funding Guide
- Creatives Unite on funding opportunities
To get more information on EU funding opportunities.
Annual work programmes
2026 Annual Work Programme for the implementation of the Creative Europe Programme / English | PDF