Creative Europe
European Commission programme supporting European cultural and creative sectors with grants for film, music, performing arts, publishing, cultural heritage, and cross-border cooperation.
Overview
Creative Europe is the European Commission's flagship programme for supporting the cultural, creative, and audiovisual sectors. With a budget of over 2.4 billion euros for 2021-2027, it operates through two main strands: the MEDIA strand for the European audiovisual and film industry, and the Culture strand for cultural and creative sectors. A cross-sectoral strand supports policy cooperation and innovative approaches. Creative Europe funds cross-border collaboration, distribution, audience development, training, and market access for European cultural operators, helping European culture and film reach wider international audiences.
What You Can Find Here
- MEDIA strand grants for European film and audiovisual - development, distribution, and international promotion of films and TV
- Culture strand grants for cross-border cultural cooperation projects between organisations from different European countries
- European Platforms scheme - supporting networks and platforms that give visibility to emerging European artists
- European Networks scheme - supporting European networks of cultural organisations working across borders
- Literary Translation grants for translating literary works from one European language to another
- Creative Europe Desk network - national contact points providing free advice on applying for Creative Europe funding
- MEDIA co-development loans via the European Film Distribution scheme
Who Should Use This
- Film production companies seeking MEDIA development or co-production funding for European feature films
- Cultural organisations (museums, theatres, festivals, music venues) pursuing cross-border cooperation projects
- Literary publishers seeking grants for translation of European literary works
- Audiovisual distributors and video-on-demand operators in the European market
- Emerging and established artists seeking European platform or network support
- Training organisations working in the film or cultural sector in Europe
How to Get Started
- Step 1: Visit culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe to read about the programme and current calls
- Step 2: Contact your national Creative Europe Desk for free advice on eligibility and application preparation
- Step 3: Find open calls on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal (ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders)
- Step 4: Create an EU Login account and register your organisation in the Participant Register to get a PIC number
- Step 5: Prepare your application following the call guidelines - partnerships typically require collaborators from at least 3 participating countries
- Step 6: Submit before the deadline via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal
Things to Check Before Applying
- Creative Europe requires most projects to involve organisations from multiple participating countries - check the minimum country requirements per call
- MEDIA strand is specifically for audiovisual works with a European qualifier - not all film projects qualify
- Culture strand grants typically cover up to 60-80% of eligible costs - applicants must provide the remainder
- The programme prioritises cross-border reach, multilingualism, and European cultural diversity in its assessment criteria
- Non-EU countries can participate in Creative Europe as associated countries - check the current list of participating nations
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MEDIA strand of Creative Europe?
The MEDIA strand supports the European audiovisual industry including film development, co-production, distribution, promotion, and training. It covers feature films, TV dramas, documentaries, animation, and video games.
Can non-EU organisations apply for Creative Europe?
Some non-EU countries are associated to Creative Europe and their organisations can apply on the same terms as EU countries. Countries with only partial association may participate as partners but not as lead applicants.
What is the minimum partnership requirement for Culture grants?
Most Culture strand cooperation projects require organisations from at least 3 different participating countries. European Networks and Platforms have different requirements - check the specific call guidelines.
How large are Creative Europe grants?
Grant amounts vary by scheme. Culture cooperation project grants typically range from 200,000 to 2 million euros. MEDIA development grants for film may be 10,000-150,000 euros. Networks and Platforms can receive up to 500,000 euros.
Where can I get help applying for Creative Europe?
Each participating country has a Creative Europe Desk that provides free information, advice, and application support. Contact your national desk before starting your application.
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