This week, the European Commission (EC) unveiled its proposal for the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which includes the launch of AgoraEU, a newly integrated funding programme designed to support culture, media and civil society. The initiative would merge the existing Creative Europe and Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programmes into a single structure with three distinctive strands: Creative Europe – Culture, Media+, and Democracy, Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV+).

The proposed budget allocates €8.6 billion to AgoraEU – more than double the current combined budgets of Creative Europe (€2.44 billion) and CERV (€1.5 billion), which stand at a total of €3.94 billion. This substantial increase reflects the EC’s ambition to strengthen European cultural and democratic values, enhance artistic and media freedom, and reinforce the resilience of civil society.

Under the new plan, the Culture strand would receive €1.796 billion, marking a 123% increase from its current allocation (€805.9 million), whilst the Media+ strand is set to grow by 126%, from €1.416 billion to €3.194 billion. The proposal, however, does not include a cross-sectoral strand – currently representing 9% of Creative Europe – suggesting a streamlining of priorities within the new structure.

AgoraEU aims to serve as a dynamic platform where European citizens can meet, exchange ideas and express themselves freely, with particular attention paid to cultural and linguistic diversity, the mobility of artists and creative professionals, international partnerships, and audience development beyond national borders. The Culture strand is expected to build upon the current structure of Creative Europe, retaining key schemes such as European cooperation projects, networks, platforms, mobility actions, and flagship initiatives like the European Capitals of Culture and the European Heritage Label.

The Media+ strand, meanwhile, will focus on reinforcing the competitiveness and diversity of the European audiovisual sector, supporting content development, distribution, film literacy and co-production initiatives.

The EC’s proposal now enters a negotiation phase involving the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, which represents member states. Discussions are expected to begin in autumn 2025 and continue until the end of 2027, with the Danish presidency set to present a first negotiating framework in December 2025.

While the cultural sector has broadly welcomed the increased investment, organisations such as Culture Action Europe have described the proposed figures as “the bare minimum” needed to sustain and develop Europe’s cultural ecosystem. They are urging EU institutions to further boost allocations and maintain the visibility and autonomy of the Culture strand during negotiations.

The total planned MFF spending amounts to €1,984.6 billion, equivalent to 1.26% of the EU’s gross national income, compared to the current MFF’s €1,211 billion (1.13% of gross national income). The MFF will be primarily funded through member state contributions, with additional revenue sources proposed, including new levies on emissions, e-waste, tobacco and large corporations.

As the EU enters a critical phase of budgetary negotiation, the cultural sector’s role in advocating for robust support for culture and media remains crucial. The outcome will shape the next chapter of European cultural co-operation and democratic engagement.