EU4Culture II

EU4Culture II strengthens the role of culture as a driver for economic growth, social development and resilience across the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and People of Belarus). 

The programme promotes sustainable creative ecosystems, empowers cultural and creative sectors (CCS), and deepens cooperation with European networks through targeted support, professional development and international cooperation programmes. 

The programme is a flagship action under European Commission’s Culture Compass for Europe, under the startegic direction for international cultural relations and partnerships.  Guided by the principle “Enabling peace, working in partnership,” the strategic framework highlights the importance of culture in fostering dialogue, trust, and social cohesion, particularly in times of global uncertainty.

The programme is implemented following a Team Europe approach and by engaging European National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) members active in the region.

Key Activities:

• Establishing Creative Collaborative Platforms (applying the Living Lab methodology)
• Supporting Cultural Intermediary Organisations
• Cultural Impact Assessment
• Internationalisation
• Capacity-Building

The EU4Culture II – Sustainable Creative Ecosystems programme was officially launched on 12 March 2026 during an online kick-off event that brought together representatives of the European Commission, EU Delegations, and key strategic partners involved in its implementation.

The event marked the formal start of the programme and provided an opportunity to introduce its vision,objectives and main areas of activity. During the meeting, the programme team presented the overall framework of EU4Culture II, outlining how the initiative will support the development of sustainable creative ecosystems and strengthen cooperation between cultural actors in the region and European networks.
Funded by the European Union, EU4Culture II will be implemented from 2025 to 2029 and will support cultural and creative sectors in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine, as well as Belarusian cultural community in exile.

Building on the achievements of the previous EU4Culture programme, the new phase aims to strengthen culture as a driver for economic growth, social development and resilience across Eastern Partnership Region. Through targeted support, capacity development, networking opportunities and international cooperation initiatives, EU4Culture II seeks to empower cultural professionals and organisations across the region.

The launch event also provided an opportunity for participants to exchange views on the importance of cultural cooperation in the Eastern Partnership region following the Team Europe approach and to explore opportunities for collaboration within the framework of the programme.

With its official launch, EU4Culture II begins a new journey of supporting stronger, more connected, and resilient creative sectors across the region.