In under an hour, Europe Day 2026 begins at Pakhuis de Zwijger. Artists, journalists, policymakers, technologists and cultural organisations are gathering to explore culture and creativity as critical infrastructure for Europe.

Europe grows through sharing. Illustrations from our Fone Acts campaign for this week: Steve McCarthy, Tinna Halldórsdóttir, Tanya Korniichuk. Learn more, join or register: shorturl.at/gOVXi #europeanculturalfoundation #happyeuropeday

'Europe' appears in the spaces we move through every day. Together with Fine Acts, we are sharing a collection of illustrations that bring these moments closer to daily life. You can download them (for free) to use as postcards or as posters in your pop-up exhibition. shorturl.at/UC6wy

Culture Helps Solidarity opens its third round of Individual Grants, offering up to €1,200 in personal wellbeing support for Ukrainian cultural professionals working with displaced communities. Not for project funding. Apply by 18 May Read more: shorturl.at/pq3kE #culturehelpssolidarity

Culture shapes how people connect, participate and build a sense of belonging. On 8 May, Europe Day at Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam brings together creatives, policymakers and cultural organisations to explore culture as critical infrastructure for Europe’s future. Free entry shorturl.at/84BaX

Europe shows up in everyday gestures, people together, side by side. We are working with Fine Acts and 14 European artists to make these moments visible in daily life. This week: Mattia Riami, Barbora Keherova, Rozalina Burkova. Take part: europeday.eu #happyeuropeday #europeanculturalfoundation

EU budget decisions shape Europe’s future. In a new op-ed, Lars Ebert (Culture Action Europe), Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović (Europa Nostra) and André Wilkens (ECF) call for a Cultural Deal and 2% investment in culture. Read more: culturalfoundation.eu/stories/op-e... #europeanculturalfoundation

Our initiative, BUDDIES, is launching a Skills Audit Survey to map the skills library professionals need. If you work in a public library, take part and help shape future support. Fill in the survey: shorturl.at/65dvU #EuropeanCulturalFoundation

Opportunity: Amsterdam residency for artists, researchers, writers & designers based in Ukraine. 24 Sept – 23 Oct 2026. Explore ecological practice through the Zoöp model, with mentorship, workspace and financial support. Deadline: 27 April Apply now: shorturl.at/333xQ #EuropeanCulturalFoundation

Around 9 May, communities organise Europe Day events in libraries, streets, cultural spaces and neighbourhoods. We are bringing these initiatives together in a shared Europe Day agenda. Add your event to a collective moment shaped by dialogue, culture and participation: shorturl.at/q30jV

Europe is held together by everyday acts of trust, care and connection that often go unseen. The EU Order of Merit recognises this shared work across borders. Read more: shorturl.at/flKj0 #europeanculturalfoundation

#Opportunity: Applications are open for The Good Lobby Summer Academy 2026, bringing together practitioners to explore responsible, evidence-based engagement. 20–23 July, Bilbao. Apply: shorturl.at/QeOJE #europeanculturalfoundation

APPLY TODAY: The first round of #CultureHelpsSolidarity / Культура допомагає: Солідарність calls for Project Grants is open. Read more: culturalfoundation.eu/stories/cult... #culturehelpssolidarity

Around 9 May, communities organise Europe Day events in libraries, streets, cultural spaces and neighbourhoods. We are bringing these initiatives together in a shared Europe Day agenda. Add your event to a collective moment shaped by dialogue, culture and participation: shorturl.at/q30jV

The second call for Individual Care Grants under Culture Helps Solidarity / Культура допомагає: Солідарність is open. Up to €1,200 is available for Ukrainian cultural professionals supporting displaced communities and veterans returning from military service. Apply by 6 April: shorturl.at/8PiHf

On 21 March, Early Music Day celebrates the richness of early music worldwide. Watch a conversation with the 2026 ambassadors Lucie Horsch and Sarah Jeffery, reflecting on their artistic journeys and their vision for early music today. Broadcast at 12:00 CET: www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7JM...

Around 9 May, communities organise Europe Day events in libraries, streets, cultural spaces and neighbourhoods. We are bringing these initiatives together in a shared Europe Day agenda. Add your event to a collective moment shaped by dialogue, culture and participation: shorturl.at/q30jV

On International Women’s Day, we recognise the women of the VETERANKA Movement. Founded by women veterans, the organisation supports women in Ukraine’s military and helps veterans rebuild their lives after service. Read more: shorturl.at/WaMbS #internationalwomensday2026 #europeanculturalfoundation

We’ve identified a fake TikTok account using the European Cultural Foundation’s name. This profile is not affiliated with us; we are working to have it removed. Please report the fake account to TikTok if you come across it Thank you for helping us protect our community. #europeanculturalfoundation

Four years since the full-scale invasion, communities across #Ukraine are rebuilding connections and everyday life. Tomorrow: Militantropos at IDFA. Tickets: shorturl.at/BtQn7 Project Grants available: shorturl.at/T7Cuf Collaboration Grants available: shorturl.at/N4piF #europeanculturalfoundation

This first round of #CultureHelpsSolidarity / Культура допомагає: Солідарність calls for Project Grants launched: culturalfoundation.eu/stories/cult... To strengthen your proposal, we invite you to two events: 🗓 March 5 — Thematic webinar. 🗓 March 9 — Online info session. #cultureofsolidarity

In the ECF supported "Handing Over the Mic" series by @bigeurope.bsky.social the mic is handed to Mexican human rights lawyer Alejandra Ancheita. Listen via culturalfoundation.eu/stories/a-gl...

When war becomes a long-term reality, communities also need culture to stay connected and make sense of their experience together. On 25 February in Amsterdam: screening of Militantropos with @idfafestival.bsky.social plus a conversation with Ukrainian partners. Tickets: shorturl.at/Pej5b

At the annual Policy Conversation 2026 at Bozar in Brussels, we discussed how culture, media and civic spaces help Europe stay connected and participatory, and why the Cultural Deal matters. Read more and watch: shorturl.at/WmFlU #culturaldealEU #europeanculturalfoundation

Today’s Cultural Deal for Europe discussion links EU budget choices to everyday life. The spaces where people connect and participate do not survive by accident. Learn more about the Cultural Deal for Europe, link in bio. #CulturalDealEU #europeanculturalfoundation

This year, the EU is deciding what it protects in its next long-term budget. We advocate for dedicating at least 2% of the MFF to culture. Learn more: culturaldeal.eu #CulturalDealEU #europeanculturalfoundation

OPEN CALL: Those supporting displaced communities also need care. Culture Helps Solidarity opens Individual Care Grants (2–23 Feb 2026), offering up to €1,200 for wellbeing support for cultural workers and veterans. Apply by 23 Feb: shorturl.at/0ANGj #europeanculturalfoundation

What keeps societies connected under pressure? At the event Films & Politics #10, the European Cultural Foundation's Director, André Wilkens, joins a panel linking culture, identity and resilience to Europe’s changing political landscape. Read more: shorturl.at/muMCc #europeanculturalfoundation

Culture isn’t Europe’s “fifth wheel,” it’s the steering wheel. As EU budget talks move, last year’s call for a Culture Compass & 2% for culture turns into real choices. Watch the video: lnkd.in/etk-ttDn #CulturalDealEU

What is the MFF and why does it matter? The EU’s long-term budget for 2028 to 2034 will shape support for culture, heritage and civil society. The Cultural Deal for Europe calls for at least 2% for culture. Read more: culturaldeal.eu #culturaldealEU

Culture belongs at the heart of European policymaking. After years of joint advocacy by Culture Action Europe, European Cultural Foundation and Europa Nostra, the focus now turns to the EU’s next long-term budget. Learn more: culturaldeal.eu #CulturalDeal2026 #CDEU2026 #europeanculturalfoundation

OPEN CALL: Culture can help people rebuild connection and belonging after displacement. Culture Helps Solidarity / Культура допомагає has opened a call for collaboration grants, supporting cross-border cultural projects with and for displaced people from Ukraine. shorturl.at/t18qa

In an interview with the Croatian portal for social and cultural issues Telegram ECF Director André Wilkens speaks about the culture war Europe is in, and the various ways in which we can or should act. Croatian: www.telegram.hr/velike-price... English: ivdragicevic.substack.com/p/how-to-fig...

#Opportunity: Borders Calling invites high school students to photograph a border that tells a story. Learn more and apply: enrs.eu/borders-call...

Help shape the future of socially engaged arts in Europe. If your organisation works with communities, add your voice to the mapping survey by 16 Jan: shorturl.at/cd00g #europeanculturalfoundation

Our December newsletter asks how culture helps Europe stay confident when political narratives grow volatile. Inside are stories of belonging, resilience and civic imagination from across the continent. 

 Read the December newsletter: shorturl.at/P1mhq #europeanculturalfoundation 📸 : Laura Mazzei

The latest “Handing over the Mic” explores how governments and platforms shape which voices are amplified and which are silenced. Irene Khan explains why free expression now feels like a controlled commodity. Listen here: shorturl.at/cUAqQ #europeanculturalfoundation

Didi you save the date yet? Our Annual Policy Conversation - with ao. EU Commissioner #Micallef, MEP #Riehl - will take place on Febraury 3rd 2026. #CultureActionEurope, @europanostra.bsky.social, @euroculture.bsky.social in cooperation with #bozar kindly invite you. More info:

Local libraries in Latvia and Lithuania are proving that public spaces can be safe, welcoming and life-changing. Trust, listening and community care can shape a more connected Europe. Read the story: shorturl.at/1MCcq #europeanculturalfoundation #theeuropechallenge

Culture keeps Europe connected and resilient. Support the people and places strengthening democracy from the ground up. Learn more and support us: shorturl.at/FregC #givingtuesday #europeanculturalfoundation

The Culture Compass for Europe marks an important step forward for culture at the EU level. The Compass positions culture more centrally in EU policymaking and recognises the role of philanthropy, new financing tools, and structured dialogue. Read more: shorturl.at/F8Je5 📸: Illustration by Menah.

#Opportunity: Applications for the 2026–2027 Obama Leaders Europe Program from the Obama Foundation are open. The six-month programme supports values-driven leaders across Europe. Learn more: www.obama.org/programs/leaders/europe/

We congratulate curator Vasyl Cherepanyn on leading the 14th Berlin Biennale. His work has shaped Europe’s cultural imagination, including past collaborations with the European Cultural Foundation. Learn more: www.berlinbiennale.de/en/news 📸: Diana Pfammatter

In the Green European Journal, Justin O’Connor argues that decades of treating culture as a tool for economic growth have weakened the very ecosystems that sustain creative freedom, critical thinking, and community life. Read more: www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/culture-afte...

Our Head of Public Policy - Isabelle Schwarz - will be joining the Europa Power Initiative next week. Will she meet you there? Tickets are still available via www.billetweb.fr/europa-power... for you to join policymakers, industry, finance, science, culture and civil society voices.

The EU’s new Culture Compass is a milestone for everyone working to keep Europe open, creative and democratic. Now comes the essential part: resourcing it. Europe needs a stronger AgoraEU programme and at least 2 percent of the EU budget for culture: shorturl.at/IRqN8 #europeanculturalfoundation

A Culture Compass for Europe – How Culture Can Lead the Way Read the European Cultural Foundation first response to the #CultureCompass via culturalfoundation.eu/stories/cult... When Culture wins, Europe wins.

The European Cultural Foundation's November newsletter is out! It shows a different Europe: creative, connected, and quietly building trust where it is needed most. Read the full newsletter here. qr1.be/CGPH4D #europeanculturalfoundation

🎙️ BIG's latest podcast is here - we're Handing Over the Mic to @irene-khan.bsky.social, UN SR on freedom of opinion/expression. How does she assess Europe's role in shaping global tech governance? @euroculture.bsky.social Listen now 🎧⤵️ Spotify: shorturl.at/WUz5Y Apple podcasts: shorturl.at/TREXG

Eurozine (@eurozine.bsky.social)’s “Funding cuts on the rise” shows how cultural opportunities have been shrinking since 2008 and how political pressure and international withdrawals are reshaping the cultural landscape. Read more: shorturl.at/V8bl3 Photo: Roman Wimmers on Unsplash