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The following is a joint letter signed by 30 organisations from across the cultural and creative sectors, sent to EU member states’ research Ministries in the framework of the trilogue discussions on the EU’s future Horizon Europe programme:

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are writing to you as a group of organisations from across the cultural and creative sectors in the framework of the ongoing discussions on the ‘Horizon Europe’ proposal.

We firmly believe that the new Framework Programme for Research and Innovation needs to better integrate one of Europe’s most valuable assets, its cultural and creative sectors.

We fully support the proposal by the European Parliament, as adopted in plenary on 12 December with near unanimity, to introduce a cluster 'Inclusive & Creative Society' to support research on cultural and creative sectors, including EU's cultural heritage.

Cultural and creative industries account for 4.4% of the EU’s GDP and 12 million full-time jobs. Their economic, social and cultural contribution is huge; they are growing fast and have potential to grow far more. They are one of Europe’s strongest assets, and the significant spillover effects they generate for other industrial sectors are now well documented.

And yet, they are not being sufficiently taken into account in the EU’s programmes and support measures.

Creative Europe, the support programme for Cultural and Creative sectors, is a great programme, but at 0,16%of the EU’s budget, it’s a drop in the ocean.

Creative risk-taking and innovation are at the heart of creative industries. Today, much of the research and development (R&D) taking place in the creative industries is not recognised and does not qualify for R&D support schemes.

We need to recognise the essential role of R&D in driving innovation and growth in the cultural and creative sectors.

As the EU discusses its future Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF), we should seize the opportunity to better integrate Europe’s cultural and creative industries in the EU’s budget and in its programmes for Research and Innovation – Horizon Europe.

In this respect, and in light of their innovation-driven and risk-taking nature, we believe that cultural and creative sectors should benefit from a dedicated cluster within the framework programme and we urge you to support the Parliament's proposal to introduce a cluster 'Inclusive & Creative Society' and secure a strong overall budget.

We also call for synergies to be found between programmes designed for the cultural and creative industries and the framework programme for research and innovation – Horizon Europe.

Finally, we fully agree that Horizon Europe should support new technologies which contribute to overcoming obstacles, that prevent the access and the full participation of persons with disabilities.

Yours sincerely,

AER (Association of European Radios)

Animation Europe

CEDC (European Coalition for Cultural Diversity)

CEPI (European Coordination of Independent Producers)

CEPIC (Centre of the Picture Industry)

EBU (European Broadcasting Union)

ECSA (European Composer and Songwriter Alliance)

EPC (European Publishers Council)

Eurocinema

Europa Distribution

Europe Analytica

FEP (Federation of European Publishers)

FERA (Federation of European Film Directors)

FIAD (International Federation of Film Distributors' Associations)

FIAPF (Fédération Internationale des Associations de Producteurs de Films)

FSE (Federation of Screenwriters in Europe)

GESAC (European Grouping of Societies of Authors and Composers)

ICMP (The Global Voice of Music Publishing)

IFPI (representing the music industry worldwide)

IMPALA (Independent Music Companies Association)

IMPF (Independent Music Publishers International Forum)

ISFE (Interactive Software Federation of Europe)

IVF (International Video Federation)

KEA

Mediapro

Mediarte

Pearle* (Live Performance Europe)

UNIC (International Union of Cinemas)

UNI MEI (UNI global union - Media and Entertainment International)

VAUNET – German Media Association