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

Only 5 days remaining to send us a video of max 3 minutes about your vision of democracy! Submit your creation before 9 November 2025 and win a trip to Brussels 🇧🇪 to the #ActEU final conference (and add another line to your CV!) 🏆 Find out more about the contest 👉 tinyurl.com/ActEUContest

Europe’s strength depends not only on defence but on belonging. In The Parliament Magazine, the European Cultural Foundation calls for a Doppelstrategie: equal investment in hard and soft power, from culture to civic trust. Read the op-ed: shorturl.at/DPuO1 📸: Matthias Manuel / Alamy Stock

Here's our Head of Public Policy Isabelle Schwarz making a case for culture and cultural heritage as a priority at the highest level of the EU institutions during @friendsofeurope.bsky.social 'State of Europe' event. Read up on their day: bit.ly/4ndI4iX #culturaldeal Photo by Elza Löw

This week, The Europe Challenge 2025/26 was in Italy, where library and community teams from across Europe met to exchange ideas and strengthen the ties that connect people and places. Read more: shorturl.at/oqCJT #TheEuropeChallenge #LibrariesForEurope #EuropeanCulturalFoundation

Culture Helps Solidarity supports Ukrainian artists and cultural workers to sustain creativity, wellbeing, and connection during and after the war. Led by ECF with Insha Osvita, zusa, and Veteranka, the Creative Europe–funded project begins in January 2026. Read more: shorturl.at/MxIoy

Happening today at Domo in Amsterdam: Cities that Connect. Cultural and city leaders meet to explore how collaboration strengthens belonging and civic trust. Read more: shorturl.at/1hcgi. #EuropeanCulturalFoundation #CitiesThatConnect #CultureMatters #WorldCitiesCultureSummit

A European afternoon at the World Cities Culture Summit in Amsterdam. Commissioner Glenn Micallef joins city and cultural leaders for European Cities Unite: Culture in a Changing World, co-hosted by ECF, @eurocities.eu and @eitculture.bsky.social. Read more: shorturl.at/DT0hp 📸: Janiek Dam

The European Cultural Foundation met with the European Investment Bank Institute @eib.org to explore new ways of linking European investment and philanthropy. These will be developed within SHARE Europe, ECF’s initiative to connect public and private resources for Europe.

"Nobody ever asked the Europeans, are you going to go to the East or the West? Why does Africa have to pick?" A discussion about Africa's evolving relationship with Europe and the world. Listen to the episode here: shorturl.at/fR8bs #EuropeanCulturalFoundation #HandingOverTheMic

At the launch of the European Sentiment Compass 2025, European Parliament Vice-President Sabine Verheyen called for confidence and unity, reminding us: “The answer is to stand taller, to be more decisive, to embrace more Europe, not less.” Read more: shorturl.at/T3hud #europeansentimentcompass2025

We are hiring! Are you a skilled, Ukrainian speaking project administrator with a hands-on attitude and previous experience with project administration? We like hearing from you! Deadline: October 19. Full vacancy: culturalfoundation.eu/wp-content/u... Image by HajjiBaba via Wikimedia Commons.

Can culture safeguard democracy’s future? We join our partners for European Cities Unite: Culture in a Changing World, a day to imagine how culture can strengthen belonging, trust, and resilience across Europe. shorturl.at/K9qaD

Europe’s strongest army is useless if citizens do not believe in what it protects. A Doppelstrategie for Europe means equal investment in hard power and soft power. Europe's security is not just about borders. It is about belonging. Read here: shorturl.at/89EBO #europeanculturalfoundation

We are hiring! Are you a skilled, Ukrainian speaking project administrator with a hands-on attitude and previous experience with project administration? We like hearing from you! Deadline: October 19. Full vacancy: culturalfoundation.eu/wp-content/u... Image by HajjiBaba via Wikimedia Commons.

Europe’s strongest army is useless if citizens do not believe in what it protects. A Doppelstrategie for Europe means equal investment in hard power and soft power. Europe's security is not just about borders. It is about belonging. Read here: shorturl.at/89EBO #europeanculturalfoundation

Want to know what Trump's UNGA speech was all about and, more importantly, how 🇪🇺 can escape traps that are being set? read @pawelzerka.bsky.social's brilliant report "Reality Show: Why 🇪🇺 must not cave in" So good it hurts @ecfrpower.bsky.social @richardgowan1.bsky.social @jkobzova.bsky.social 👇

Is Europe stuck in a Truman-Show-style reality directed by Trump’s America? Paweł Zerka of @ecfr.eu joins @europeanspod.bsky.social podcast to explain why pro-European sentiment is growing and what leaders must do next. Listen here: www.europeanspodcast.com/all-episodes...

The European Sentiment Compass 2025 is in the spotlight. News media highlight how the Compass captures Europe’s fight against imported culture wars and its search for belonging. Read the articles and download the report: shorturl.at/4tHFP #europeanculturalfoundation

WE'RE HIRING: Executive Advisor (Directiesecretaris) to the Director. Help steer ECF’s 2025–2029 strategy, strengthen alliances, and connect daily practice with long-term vision. Fluent in Dutch and English, with governance or policy experience? Apply here: qr1.be/JFU2 #europeanculturalfoundation

The Compass shows Europe’s struggle is about meaning - who defines values, identity and belonging. We see this throughout our work with libraries, in solidarity, and in digital spaces. Read more: shorturl.at/xtacW #europeanculturalfoundation #europeansentiment #europeansentimentcompass2025

The European Sentiment Compass 2025 shows how Europeans really feel; trust, belonging, & the future are at stake. Leaders gather in Brussels this afternoon to discuss the findings. Watch the livestream: shorturl.at/OlMY4 #europeanculturalfoundation #europeansentimentcompass2025

Out today: the European Sentiment Compass 2025. A portrait of Europe at a moment when others seek to shape its story. See the report: shorturl.at/Atbyz #europeanculturalfoundation #europeansentiment #europeansentimentcompass2025