Zavod Krog signed the initiative: Call to support the European parliament’s proposal to increase the AgoraEU programme budget

A coalition of more than 500 European organizations from the the cultural and creative sectors, independent media, journalism, and civil society has issued a joint call to European institutions with a clear demand: to strengthen the budget of the AgoraEU programme in the upcoming multiannual financial framework.

Organizations operating across all EU Member States and candidate countries contribute daily to sustaining cultural production, ensuring information in the public interest, promoting democratic participation, and safeguarding access to fundamental rights. Their message is clear – Europe needs stronger and better-funded support in these key areas.

AgoraEU as a key framework for the future

The proposed AgoraEU programme brings together existing support mechanisms of EU funding programmes for the cultural and creative sector (currently under Creative Europe), media and journalism (currently under MEDIA+), and democracy, equality, and civil society (currently under CERV). This integrated approach represents an important step forward and recognizes culture, media freedom, and democracy as the foundations of European society.

Although the proposed budget represents an increase compared to previous periods, the signatories warn that it still does not reflect the true scale of the challenges Europe is facing.

Growing pressures on democracy

Europe is currently facing multiple, overlapping challenges: geopolitical instability, technological change, rising inequality, declining trust in institutions, and organized attacks on fundamental rights. The erosion of trust creates space for information manipulation and the undermining of democratic values—by both external and internal actors.

In this context, culture, independent media, and civil society are not marginal sectors, but essential pillars of democratic infrastructure. They ensure pluralism, uphold the rule of law, and strengthen social cohesion.

Funding gaps and global influences

Additional concern arises from decreasing funding by major international donors, while authoritarian regimes are increasing investments in propaganda. This creates an imbalance that directly threatens Europe’s information space and democratic resilience.

For this reason, the signatories stress that the EU must ensure stable and sufficient financial resources to protect its values. Key sectors under pressure include:

• Culture and the arts

This sector employs approximately 8.7 million people and generates nearly 4% of the EU’s GDP. Despite this, demand for funding far exceeds available resources—success rates in calls for proposals are extremely low.

• Media and journalism

Between 2019 and 2023, journalism revenues declined by approximately €7 billion annually. Local and regional media are particularly vulnerable, yet they provide some of the most trusted information.

• Civil Society

As many as 85% of organizations working in the field of fundamental rights report that lack of funding threatens their work. Their role in protecting democracy is increasing, but funding is not keeping pace.

Call to action

The signatories therefore support the European Parliament’s proposal to increase the AgoraEU budget. Even with the proposed increase, the programme would account for less than half a percent (0.5%) of the total EU budget.

They also propose innovative funding sources. Revenues from fines under the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act, and AI Act could serve as an additional funding mechanism.

An investment in the future

Europe stands at a turning point. Cultural ecosystems, the information space, and civic participation are under growing pressure. Strengthening the AgoraEU programme is not merely a budgetary decision, but a strategic investment in the future of the Union.

The signatories call on the Council and the European Commission, in cooperation with the European Parliament, to ensure an ambitious and effective programme that enables inclusive implementation across all Member States.

Joint Letter

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