Culture must be recognised as a strategic resource for democracy, social cohesion, competitiveness and territorial development, while local and regional authorities must be fully involved in shaping Europe's future cultural policies. These were the key messages raised by EPP-CoR members during the meeting of the Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture (SEDEC) held in Trnava, where members discussed the draft opinion on the Culture Compass for Europe.
Presenting her draft opinion, rapporteur Tanya Hristova (BG/EPP), Mayor of Gabrovo and First Vice-Chair of the SEDEC Commission, stressed that the success of the Culture Compass would depend on its ability to deliver tangible results in Europe's cities and regions. “Because culture happens in places, it is essential that local and regional authorities are recognised not simply as implementers, but as strategic partners and co-creators in the design, implementation and evaluation of cultural policy,” she said.
Hristova underlined that culture and cultural heritage are strategic resources for democratic resilience, social cohesion and territorial development. She called for a strong territorial dimension in the Culture Compass, warning against excessive centralisation, while emphasising culture's role as a foundation of democracy, the need to ensure access to culture for all citizens, and the importance of matching ambitions with adequate and accessible funding for local communities and cultural actors.
Patrik Schwarz-Kiefer (HU/EPP), Member of the County Council of Baranya Vármegye, highlighted the fundamental importance of culture and cultural heritage for regions and cities, particularly their contribution to democracy, social cohesion, rural development and strong local communities. He stressed that local and regional authorities play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage and ensuring citizens' access to culture. “Local and regional authorities are at the forefront of safeguarding and promoting Europe's cultural diversity,” he emphasised, while also calling for stronger recognition of Europe's cultural and linguistic diversity, including regional identities and languages.
Neil Feighery (IE/EPP), Councillor of Offaly County Council, welcomed the rapporteur's approach and stressed the need to translate the ambitions of the Culture Compass into practical action on the ground. “The Culture Compass must deliver real benefits for communities at national, regional and local level,” he said. Feighery also highlighted the importance of supporting artists and cultural workers and underlined how Europe's cultural and historical heritage helps promote European values and strengthen the Union's international engagement.
József Berényi (SK/EPP), Vice-Chairman of the Trnava Self-Governing Region, called for greater recognition of traditional national and minority languages as an integral part of Europe's cultural heritage. He supported amendments aimed at strengthening the protection and promotion of linguistic diversity and minority communities within the European Union. Berényi stressed the importance of ensuring that national and minority languages are fully recognised as part of Europe's cultural richness and diversity.
The Culture Compass for Europe is the European Commission's new strategic framework for culture, establishing a long-term vision and key directions to guide EU policymaking in the cultural sector. It sets out four main priorities: building an EU that upholds and strengthens European values and cultural rights; empowering artists and cultural professionals while supporting citizens' participation in culture; drawing on culture and cultural heritage to make Europe more competitive, resilient and cohesive; and strengthening international cultural relations and partnerships. The initiative is accompanied by flagship actions aimed at ensuring that culture contributes to Europe's democratic, social, economic and global objectives.