The COVID-19 pandemic will not only have long-lasting severe effects on the cultural and creative industries, which are strategic sectors for Europe’s citizens and its economy, but also on cultural diversity in Europe, the Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament has warned.

It is against this backdrop that Renew Europe has launched its proposals for a comprehensive European cultural recovery plan. It incorporates, inter alia, the need for sufficient and easily accessible financial assistance for the sector, proposes concrete steps to sustainably revive Europe’s tourism and to thrive in the digital single market, and calls for a comprehensive and ambitious European Cultural Policy that reflects the significant role that culture plays for our European identity.

Laurence Farreng MEP, Coordinator of the Committee on Culture and Education, said:

"Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world of culture is at a standstill. We must not abandon culture and those who make it. Culture is a vital part of our European identity and an important sector of our economy. This is why we need a strong commitment to the revival of European culture: for Renew Europe, there is no Europe without culture."

“Our cultural diversity in Europe is unique. We must promote it, and above all, we must maintain a permanent link and exchange with the citizens of Europe on this – the upcoming Conference on the Future of Europe will provide great opportunities to do so.”

The Renew Europe position paper “A European Cultural Recovery” is available here.