The EU Regional Policy Funds include the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund – jointly called Structural Funds – which represent the biggest source of funding for culture at EU level. The current context of EU budget 2014-2020 negotiations provides an excellent opportunity to enhance this support. Although the general regulations for the EU Regional Policy Funds are negotiated at EU level, the funds will be implemented by authorities in your countries and regions. Therefore, you have a key role to play if you want to see the support enhanced!
In October 2011 and March 2012 the European Commission published its proposals for the future EU Regional Policy Funds 2014-2020.
Culture Action Europe, in the framework of the we are more – act for culture in Europe campaign, welcomes the European Commission’s proposals for the next Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 and calls on the Member States and the European Parliament to support its overall envelope and to reinforce their commitment to economic, social and territorial cohesion. The EU Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 should support the role that cultures and arts play in local and regional development, in particular through their impact on social inclusion, education, creativity and on the individual and collective capacity to adapt to change and innovate.
Download the campaign statement (published 30 April 2012)
… and send it to the relevant authority in your country and/or region now!
In order to facilitate your advocacy work on the Structural Funds, we have also prepared a campaign guide on how to engage in the negotiations. Download the guide here!
Previous statements on this campaign objective
Download the contribution in English (published in January 2011).
Download the contribution in French (published in January 2011).
If you want to share your experiences with us, or if you have ideas or suggestions for the future EU Regional Policy funds, please do not hesitate to contact us on campaign@wearemore.eu
Links to further background reading:
European Commission – DG REGIO – the EU Cohesion Policy
Council conclusions on the contribution of culture to local and regional development