Council conclusions on the Work Plan for Culture 2019-2022

Member States define their priorities for cultural policy making at EU level in multi-annual Work Plans adopted in form of conclusions by the Council of the EU. Next to the New European Agenda for Culture and in line with its strategic orientation, the Work Plan is established as a strategic and dynamic instrument of EU cultural cooperation that addresses current political developments and sets priorities, with due regard for the EU principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. The current Work Plan for Culture is the EU’s third, building on the previous 2015-2018 and 2011-2014 work plans.
For 2019-2022 there are 6 priorities for European cooperation in cultural policy-making: 1) Sustainability in cultural heritage; 2) Cohesion and well-being; 3) An ecosystem supporting artists, cultural and creative professionals and European content; 4) Gender equality; 5) International cultural relations; 6) Culture as a driver for sustainable development. 18 key topics and corresponding actions are defined under each of these priorities for the Member States, the presidencies of the Council as well as for the European Commission.
Regarding the ”Cohesion and well-being” priority, the policy document mentions that access to culture and participation in cultural life promote individual empowerment, democratic consciousness and social cohesion through exchanges with other people and civic engagement. Cross-sectoral cooperation with other areas, such as education, social care, healthcare, science and technology, and regional and urban development, has a significant effect on cohesion and well-being.
The topics addressed under the ”Cohesion and well-being” priority of the Work Plan:
- Social cohesion. After reviewing the report of the OMC group on ‘Fostering the contribution of culture to social inclusion’ (2017/18), a follow-up OMC group will be given a new mandate to explore specific topics of particular interest in more depth, such as the need to include culture as a cross-cutting issue in the fields of social policy, health policy and local development, among others. A conference will be organised to disseminate the results.
- High-quality architecture and built environment for everyone, which will be dealt with by on OMC expert group followed by a conference hosted by Austria and possible Council conclusions. Innovative and inclusive processes to deliver and preserve quality architecture are needed to develop an integrated approach contributing to the well-being of all citizens.
- Understanding digital audiences
- Young creative generation
- Citizenship, values and democracy
The Council invites the Member States and the Commission to work together on the priorities of the Work Plan for Culture, which is implemented by a dynamic rolling agenda. The Work Plan for Culture requires monitoring by the Presidency of the Council and, if necessary, may be adjusted by the Council in light of results achieved and/or policy developments at European level.