The Council of the European Union has outlined its stance on the draft budgets proposed earlier this summer by the European Commission.
The European Commission had recommended €352 million for the Creative Europe Programme, a 5.2% increase from last year. The Council’s draft budget for 2025 leaves this proposal mostly intact, with only a slight reduction of €123,000 in support expenditure.
However, other programmes are facing more significant cuts. Erasmus+ could see a reduction of €294.83 million, while the Citizens, Equality, Rights, and Values (CERV) programme may lose €33.69 million.
Horizon Europe has to deal with a proposed cut of €400 million, including a €10 million reduction for Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity, and Inclusive Society. This would lower the initial commitment appropriations from €303.33 million to €293.03 million.
The agreement was reached by EU member state ambassadors, and the Council is expected to formally adopt its position through a written procedure concluding on 13 September 2024. The budget will then move to negotiations with the European Parliament.
© Rob Wilkinson / Alamy Stock Foto