Europe is launching an initiative focused on promoting culture across the continent, called Culture Compass. The main objective of this initiative is to ensure that culture is a key point of discussion and appreciation in the policies of European nations. The formulation of this document seeks to provide clear guidance to governments, institutions, and professionals in the sector on how to strengthen and further encourage cultural diversity. And by receiving support from European cities, the project gains momentum to influence the cultural future of the entire region.
Culture Compass to be a guide in times of change
The Culture Compass project was created to address some of the challenges present in European society, which have become even more urgent over the years. Among these challenges, the most prominent are the difficulties faced by artists and the unequal access to cultural activities. In addition, the pressures that technology exerts on the cultural sector, especially artificial intelligence, are also noteworthy. The European Commission aims to offer strategic support to countries and cities within the European bloc.
Recent data makes this need clear: according to Eurobarometer, 87% of Europeans believe that culture and heritage should play a prominent role in the European Union, which is evidence that the public sees value in the role of culture in strengthening democracy, maintaining the well-being of the population, and also in the economy.
By way of example, the document defines four areas of action: defending cultural values, supporting artists and professionals in the sector, strengthening European competitiveness and cohesion, and encouraging international cultural relations. Each of these four points should influence policies in the coming years, in order to ensure that culture is effectively an integral part of the structure of European cities.
The direct impact on European cities
The participation of several cities in the Culture Compass demonstrates the level of importance that governments place on culture as a tool for their countries’ development. In many parts of the continent, cultural tools such as museums, theaters, creative centers, and community projects already play an important role in urban regeneration and job creation. With the Compass, these initiatives can gain political support to expand their reach.
Another positive aspect is that the proposal encourages cities to adopt more inclusive practices, guaranteeing increased opportunities for groups that have historically been excluded from cultural decisions. These groups include younger people, migrant communities, and artists who face difficulties financing their work.
The power of museums in the new cultural vision
Museums, which are strong points in the European cultural context, actively participated in the drafting of the Culture Compass, mainly through NEMO, which represents around 30,000 European museums. In a continent like Europe, it was fundamental that the document recognized the independence of cultural institutions as well as their social role. This is because museums are places of education, historical preservation, and the construction of collective memory.
Artistic freedom as a pillar of European democracy
Finally, it is important to mention the special attention given to artistic freedom. The contemporary world is marked by strong polarizations and political tensions, both internal and external to each nation. In this context, the protection of the right to creation and freedom of expression is fundamental to guaranteeing a democratic environment, positioning culture as an instrument for critical reflection and the construction of dialogue.
The launch of Culture Compass signals that Europe wants to build better-defined cultural policies that are more inclusive and connected to the future. By uniting cities, institutions, and professionals, the continent demonstrates the importance of culture in people’s daily lives and in maintaining democracy. With this initiative, the European continent should invest in new projects and strengthen cultural rights.