Draft report on a coherent EU policy for cultural and creative industries

In their report the European Parliament's CULT and ITRE Commitees recognised the economic impact of cultural and creative industries and defined important areas where actions to support CCIs are necessary.

It is the first joint report of the CULT and ITRE Committee, which ties the cultural and economic potential of the sectors. It points out the pillars of a European industrial and social policy for CCIs.

In the report the economic and social importance of CCIs is emphasised. 11,2% of private enterprises are from the CCIs and 7,5% of overall employment is found in this sector, which can very often not be offshored as the cultural or historical skills are tradionally or territorially bound. Because CCIs build bridges between the arts, culture, business and economy, increase youth and women employment and contribute to the GDP they should be regarded in industrial policies. Among other things this relates to copyright, long-term development of CCIs and thus their protection and promotion as a strategic objective and policy priority for the EU.

The report also asks for a clear definition of cultural and creative industries to better monitor and support their development and economic impact. Additionally, it recognises the role of CCIs in communication European Values and serving as ambassadors on a global scale.

Promoting inter-sectoral collaborations is vital to work with and for CCIs. "A coherent policy for CCIs, therefore, relies on the development of close cooperation between the cultural and creative sector and social partners in education and vocational training."

In relation to the creative content that is being shared today but does not generate as much revenue for the creators and rights-holders the report asks to consider this situation in the new copyright legislation that should help overcome the so-called "value-gap" to help re-create a healthy and fair market.

Lastly, the report demands tailor-made solutions for fincancing and funding of and for the cultural and creative industries.

The co-rapporteurs concluded that they "believe that CCIs have a key role in reindustrialising Europe, are a driver for growth and are in a strategic position to trigger innovative spillovers in other industrial sectors, such as tourism, retail, and digital technologies. The co-rapporteurs believe that the EU could take a leading role in promoting the important positive impact that the creative sectors have across Europe, to also promote policies that champion Europe’s most unique asset: its culture."

The adoption of the report will be put to a vote during a joint committee on 10 November.

The full draft report from 23 June can be found here.

Originally published on the website of NEMO - Network of European Museum Organisations