Introduction to Agoraeu
The European Commission (EC) has proposed to double the budget for Agoraeu, a potential initiative that includes the Creative Europe program, starting from 2027. This new program, which was published on Wednesday, July 16, as part of the multi-annual financial framework (MFF), assigns a proposed budget for Agoraeu, combining Creative Europe with citizens, equality, rights, and values (Cerv).
Proposed Budget
The proposed budget for Agoraeu represents more than twice the combined current budgets of Creative Europe (EUR 2.44 billion) and Cerv (EUR 1.5 billion). This is the first proposal of the Commission, which now enters into a negotiating process between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, representing the governments of EU member states.
Negotiation Process
The negotiations are expected to begin this autumn and continue during 2026-2027. From 2021 to 2027, the cultural sector, which constitutes 33% of Creative Europe, receives an increase of € 123% as part of the Commission’s proposal, with € 805.9 million allocated to Creative Europe.
Program Structure
The Agoraeu program will have three strands: the Creative Europe – cultural strand; the media+ strand; and the democracy, citizens, equality, rights, and values strand (previously Cerv). The media strand, which accounts for 58% of Creative Europe, receives an increase of € 126% from € 1.4 billion to € 3.2 billion.
Industry Reaction
The International Federation of Film Distributors’ and Publishers’ Associations (FIAD) welcomed the proposed increase in budget. However, it expressed concern that the merging of Creative Europe with Cerv could lead to a "delay of focus from the film and audiovisual ecosystem." Robert Heslop, General Secretary of FIAD, stated that the media strand in the Creative Europe program was decisive in supporting the efforts of film arrangements to combine European films with a diverse audience.
Call to Action
FIAD calls on EU policymakers to maintain a strong and focused media+ strand in the future Agoraeu program, which improves the competitiveness of theatrical distribution and promotes cultural diversity. The organization also urges legislators to increase the proportion of the budget proposed for media+. In May, a letter signed by 16 organizations representing the film industry stated that strengthening the media initiative is "only possible by maintaining a specific program."
