Creative Europe 2026: €60 million EU call for 150 European cultural and creative projects

The European Commission has published the new call for European cooperation projects for 2026 under Creative Europe , the main European Union programme dedicated to supporting the cultural and creative sectors. The initiative represents one of the strategic tools through which Brussels intends to strengthen the role of culture as a driver of innovation, economic growth, and social cohesion on the continent.

The call for proposals provides €60 million in funding to support approximately 150 international cooperation projects , with the aim of promoting new synergies between artists, cultural institutions, and creative organizations from the countries participating in the program. Through these resources, the European Union aims to strengthen cultural dialogue and foster the mobility of professionals in the sector, encouraging the creation of innovative projects capable of enhancing Europe's cultural wealth.

Cross-border cooperation and innovation in the cultural sectors

Projects funded through the 2026 call will be able to develop a wide range of cultural and creative activities, with a particular focus on cross-border cooperation , professional skills development, and the promotion of new artistic talent. The program supports initiatives that contribute to making the European cultural landscape more dynamic, inclusive, and globally competitive.

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The initiatives may involve organizations active in numerous fields within the Culture strand of Creative Europe , including theater, dance, music, cultural heritage, architecture, literature, design, and fashion. This multidisciplinary approach aims to foster artistic cross-fertilization and collaboration between different sectors, stimulating new forms of expression and models of cultural production capable of adapting to contemporary challenges.

A central element of the initiative is also the support for innovative practices , which include the use of digital technologies in cultural production, new management models and strategies for broadening audience participation in artistic activities.

Deadlines and methods for participating in the call

Cultural operators interested in participating in the call must submit their proposals by 5 May 2026. Organisations and institutions from countries participating in the Creative Europe programme can apply, through partnerships involving multiple international stakeholders.

The European Commission aims to foster the creation of transnational cultural networks capable of sharing skills, knowledge, and best practices. In this way, the program aims to strengthen the resilience of the European cultural sector by supporting collaborative models that can generate lasting impacts, both artistically and economically and socially.

The words of European Commissioner Glenn Micallef

Commenting on the publication of the call, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Equity, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef, underlined the strategic importance of the initiative for the future of European culture.

According to Micallef, the 2026 call for cooperation projects represents a strong commitment from the European Union to strengthening collaboration between the cultural and creative sectors , supporting initiatives that enhance cultural diversity and promote inclusion.

The Commissioner emphasized how the funding fits into the vision of the "cultural compass for Europe ," a strategic tool aimed at guiding European cultural policies toward more sustainable, resilient, and interconnected models. Projects supported by the program must contribute to building a European cultural ecosystem capable of addressing future challenges, while promoting equity between generations and access to culture for an increasingly wider audience.

Culture as a pillar of European development

Creative Europe's new call for proposals confirms the central role culture plays in European Union policies. Beyond their artistic and identity-building value, the cultural and creative sectors represent one of the continent's most dynamic economic sectors , employing millions of people and making a significant contribution to growth and innovation.

Through instruments like Creative Europe, Brussels intends to support not only cultural production but also the ability of arts organizations to adapt to a rapidly changing global context. International cooperation, digitalization, and social inclusion thus become key elements in building a future in which culture continues to be a major driver of European cohesion and development.