The European Commission’s major Agora EU project, which combines support for culture, information and citizens’ associations, is raising concerns about transparency, media independence and the risk of diluting the funding allocated to artistic creation. On September 25, the European Commission presented to the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (“CULT Committee”) its plan for a far-reaching reform of its aid programs for the cultural sector. Dubbed Agora EU, this new scheme is set to succeed the Creative Europe program and the MEDIA audiovisual strand from 2028, while integrating the current SERV program as well as a novel area: support for news media. Behind the stated ambition to strengthen the Union’s ability to respond to the « geopolitical, social and economic » challenges of the coming years, several grey areas are raising serious questions from parliamentarians, but also civil society and national institutions. Creative Europe: a success Before detailing the future architecture of Agora EU, the Commission representatives took stock of current schemes. For the non-audiovisual cultural sector, Georg Haeusler of the Commission’s DG EAC defended a program deemed « effective, efficient, relevant, and bringing high added value to the EU ». He explained that, according to the program’s mid-term evaluation, which is currently being published, many artists have been able to travel thanks to these funds, cross-border projects have seen the light of day, and some careers…
