Mapa das Ideias joins Culture Action Europe in its strong appeal to European Union leaders to recognise and integrate culture as an essential pillar of public policy. At a time when Europe faces complex and interdependent challenges, it is imperative to value the vital role of culture in strengthening democracy, boosting competitiveness and promoting collective security.

Culture is not only an expression of European identity, but also a powerful tool for building a more resilient, cohesive and innovative Europe. However, for culture to fully fulfil this mission, action must be taken on three fundamental principles: asking, paying and trusting artists.

Ask for artists' experience – Artists and cultural professionals should be included in policy decisions from the outset, contributing their creativity, critical thinking and innovative approaches.

Pay for work – It is essential to ensure decent working conditions, fair remuneration and the protection of intellectual property rights, recognising the economic and social value of cultural creation.

Trust in the process – The unpredictable nature of art is not a limitation, but a strength. The arts deliver transformative results, even if they do not always obey traditional metrics.

A Strategic Contribution to EU Priorities: The European cultural sector proposes a set of concrete measures that reinforce the contribution of culture to the main objectives of the European Union:

Competitiveness:

• Establish a common definition for professionals in the cultural and creative sector, accompanied by minimum standards that ensure fair working conditions.
• Recognise artistic research as a legitimate form of knowledge production, integrating it into European funding programmes such as Horizon Europe and the Competitiveness Fund.
• Ensure that regulations on Artificial Intelligence, including the implementation of the new AI Law, protect the rights of creators, guaranteeing the ethical use and adequate remuneration of their works.

Democracy:

• Allocate, in the next MFF (2028-2034), at least 2% of the budget to cultural creation and strengthening the European democratic ecosystem, with a particular focus on a reinforced Creative Europe programme.
• Integrate artistic freedom into the EU Rule of Law Report as a way of monitoring freedom of expression and the independence of cultural organisations.
• Recognise cultural democracy and the role of socially engaged arts as strategic priorities in future European cultural policy guidance documents.

Safety:

• Include culture as a component of the European Democracy Shield, the EU Internal Security Strategy and the ReArm Europe plan, promoting it as a tool against disinformation, hybrid threats and psychological manipulation.
• Incorporate culture into the European Preparedness Strategy and EU mental health policy, mobilising communities and increasing social resilience.
• Support Ukraine's cultural recovery by allocating 2% (around €4 billion) of frozen Russian assets to the reconstruction and revitalisation of its cultural heritage.

We believe that by adopting these measures and principles, the European Union can ensure that culture occupies a central place in the formulation of its policies. Culture is more than entertainment — it is a strategic infrastructure of immeasurable value for the future of Europe.

Join us in this campaign HERE.