CreativeFED welcomes the Draft Joint Declaration “Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe” as an important political signal for Europe’s cultural and creative sectors and industries.
The declaration recognises culture and the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) as a strategic resource for democracy, competitiveness, cohesion, innovation, digital sovereignty, artificial intelligence, fair work, skills, sustainability and regional development. It is particularly relevant that the text explicitly refers to fair remuneration, social protection, skills development, the impact of AI on creators’ remuneration, European cultural and linguistic digital sovereignty, and continuous, dedicated funding for the cultural and creative sectors. [Source 1]
For CreativeFED, however, the declaration is not yet a structural answer.
It does not name Creative Innovation Infrastructure. It does not refer to CreativeStack, EuroStack, the European Competitiveness Fund, Horizon Europe / FP10, National and Regional Partnership Plans, LocKIC, provenance ledgers, mandatory consent and compensation for AI training data, or permanent governance seats for CCIs in AI, digital and industrial policy.
This structural translation is precisely at the centre of CreativeFED’s CreativeStack White Paper, Policy Brief and BrandBrief campaign. [Sources 2, 3, 4]
The Draft Joint Declaration marks a clear step forward in political language. It places culture and the CCIs within Europe’s wider strategic agenda and recognises their contribution to democratic resilience, competitiveness, cohesion, sustainability and innovation. [Source 1]
This aligns closely with CreativeFED’s central position: CCIs are not simply beneficiaries of cultural funding. They are part of Europe’s future capacity to innovate, adapt and shape transformation.
Yet the declaration remains at the level of principles. It recognises the importance of culture, but it does not yet translate that recognition into funding architecture, governance structures, industrial policy or AI regulation.
CreativeFED’s position is clear:
The Joint Declaration is an important step from recognition to political visibility. Now the next step must follow: from visibility to structure.
The declaration describes the cultural and creative sectors and industries as dynamic economic sectors and as a strategic resource for Europe’s competitiveness and cohesion. It links CCIs to economic growth, positive spillovers across sectors and territories, qualified jobs, and Europe’s creative and innovative edge. [Source 1]
This is a clear positive development.
It fits well with CreativeFED’s core argument that CCIs are not only part of cultural policy, but part of Europe’s strategic capacity. Culture is also positioned in the declaration as a resource for democracy, resilience, sustainable growth, identity and competitiveness. [Source 1]