Issue 140 - Summer 2025
ISSN 2315-0017
Spotlight on culture
Europe is a cultural kaleidoscope. This rich cultural diversity is something that Europeans cherish. According to a recent survey run by the European Commission, 87% of Europeans attach great importance to culture and cultural exchange in the EU. Europeans also believe their country and the EU should work more closely together on cultural policy matters, including making the arts more accessible, protecting cultural heritage sites, and ensuring artists and cultural workers have fair pay and good working conditions.
An employer of millions of Europeans, the cultural and creative sectors play an important role in our economy and society, and in our relations with the world. In the EU, each Member State is in charge of developing and managing their own cultural policies. The EU supports their actions. It aims to raise awareness of European culture and history, conserve Europe’s cultural heritage and support cultural exchanges and artistic creation.
Initiatives such as the European heritage label and the European capitals of culture showcase Europe’s diverse heritage and cultures. Since 2013, over 60 sites have been awarded the European heritage label for their high symbolic value and the role they have played in Europe’s history and culture. Since 1985, over 60 cities across Europe have been selected as ‘European capital of culture’ and have run cultural programmes that showcase our rich cultural diversity.
The Europeana digital platform allows people to explore a wealth of collections from thousands of museums, galleries, libraries and archives across Europe. The platform is an important means of safeguarding our rich cultural heritage. Additionally, as part of the European framework for action in cultural heritage, the European Union has committed to working on innovative solutions to protect endangered heritage sites.
Through funding programmes like Creative Europe, the EU supports artistic and literary creation and cross-border cooperation in the field of culture. To recognise the excellent quality of Europe’s arts and creative industries, the EU awards prizes for cultural heritage, architecture, literature, music and film. Through Creative Europe, the EU also supports the development of audiovisual works including video games, series, and immersive content.
As we mark 40 years since the nomination of Europe’s first capitals of culture, our summer newsletter puts the spotlight on the topic of culture. It also includes publications related to Denmark, as the country takes over the rotating presidency of the Council until the end of the year.
Enjoy the good reads!
Culture statistics html
Did you know that cultural and creative sectors employ 7.8 million people in the EU, representing 3.8% of the EU workforce? Eurostat’s online publication covers topics such as culture-related education, employment, business, and international trade. You can also explore household and government spending on culture and check international students’ mobility and language trends in your country!
Available in English + machine translation into all the EU official languages, Russian and Ukrainian provided by the European Commission’s eTranslation serviceEU culture and creative sectors policy PDF
Overview and future perspectives
Discover the power of culture in shaping Europe's future. Learn how the EU's policy framework supports the cultural and creative sectors. This publication explores the challenges, opportunities and policy options for both sectors for the 2024-2029 legislative cycle.
Available in EnglishShaping the future of cultural heritage PDF
Exploring the nexus between the cultural heritage cloud, the common European data space for cultural heritage, and the European open science cloud
Have you heard about the cultural heritage cloud initiative? Read about how digitalisation is transforming the cultural heritage sector and discover how the European cultural institutions preserve and share our collective memory. This publication explores the exciting opportunities for inclusion, participation and growth that emerge when heritage meets technology.
Available in English
How can European heritage be preserved with castor oil VIDEO
Did you know that cultural heritage artefacts like works of art can be affected by climate conditions, light and pollution – including corrosive gases generated by the artworks themselves? In this video on cordis.europa.eu, find out how innovations of EU-funded research projects are helping to safeguard European artworks for future generations.
Available in EnglishEuropean Education and Culture Executive Agency PDF
Meet the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), a catalyst for projects in education, training, youth, sport, audiovisual, culture, citizenship and humanitarian aid. EACEA strives to support citizen engagement and participation in a spirit of cross-border cooperation and mutual respect. Find out more about funding opportunities and grants.
Available in EnglishIn your language
Schengen PDF
Your gateway to free movement in Europe
The Schengen Agreement, signed on June 14, 1985, led 29 European countries towards building a Europe without internal borders. Find out more about the Schengen area.
Available in all official languages of the EUDenmark corner
EIB investment survey 2024 PDF
Denmark overview
Discover the latest insights into Danish businesses and their investment dynamics. What do they see as the main obstacles to investment? Learn how firms in Denmark are navigating the economic climate, climate change and digitalisation. Find out how they compare to their EU counterparts in these areas too.
Available in EnglishUnderstanding consumer food waste behaviours PDF
Findings from Denmark
The European Commission carried out a study to look at consumer behaviours concerning food waste and date marking. The study covered over 25 000 participants from across all 27 EU countries. Discover how Danes deal with food waste and how they understand the concept.
Available in English and DanishCountry report, gender equality PDF
How are EU rules transposed into national law? Denmark 2024
Read the latest report about gender equality in Denmark. This publication details Denmark’s policies to address discrimination, the gender pay gap and work-life balance.
Available in EnglishEducation and training monitor 2024 PDF/html
Denmark
Stay up to date on the latest education developments in Denmark. Read about the policy developments and discover how Denmark is addressing learning for sustainability, early childhood education, school education, vocational training, higher education and adult learning.
Available in English and DanishYou may also like
Secure access to social and affordable housing for all PDF
Providing sustainable and affordable housing today and in the future is a top priority for the EU. A home is more than just a shelter; it is the ground on which families and communities can grow and thrive. Read how the European Economic and Social Committee seeks to ensure that every citizen has a place to call their home.
Available in English and FrenchOur news
The European Data Conference on Reference Data and Semantics (ENDORSE) is coming back for its third edition on 8 and 9 October 2025 in Brussels. We invite experts, researchers, professionals and enthusiasts in the fields of reference data and semantics to register for the event by 15 September.
Organised biannually since 2021, ENDORSE aims to foster exchanges on the use of reference data and semantic technologies to ensure efficient information management and sharing. As indicated in its slogan, ‘Reference Data and AI: Transforming Data into Action across Borders and Languages’, the 2025 edition of the conference will spotlight how semantic technologies and artificial intelligence can facilitate the use and exchange of reference data.
Through presentations, posters, and panel discussions, attendees will gain insights into the latest tendencies in reference data and semantic technologies. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with experts and discuss how these emerging trends can empower effective knowledge management and shape digital policymaking.
The conference is organised by the Publications Office of the European Union and Interoperable Europe, supported by the Digital Europe Programme.
You can find out more information about ENDORSE on the conference website.
Join us this October at the European Week of Regions and Cities 2025 (#EURegionsWeek)! Discover how data is essential for the development of smart cities, enabling informed and impactful decisions with trustworthy information.
Come to our workshop, 'Cities leveraging data for impact – showcasing real-life success stories', in Brussels on 14 October 2025, from 9:30 to 10:30 CET. With real-life examples from the cities of Dublin and Warsaw, explore the critical role of data in shaping innovative and sustainable urban environments. Learn how cities can turn data into action - promoting growth, transforming public engagement and designing services that genuinely reflect citizens’ needs.
Book your place soon as space is limited!
Throughout the European Week of Regions and Cities 2025, visit our stand and hear how you can benefit from EU innovations. Find out how entrepreneurs access fair competition through TED, the official central platform providing free access to business opportunities from the EU and beyond, and the Public Procurement Data Space. See how researchers and innovators leverage EU-funded research results from CORDIS, the official gateway to information on EU-funded research results, and open data from data.europa.eu, the official portal for European data, to create more competitive, and data-driven societies.
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