Culture for an open and democratic Europe

We are an independent foundation working for a more democratic, inclusive and open Europe. We promote a European sentiment through culture, by developing and supporting initiatives that let us share, experience and imagine Europe. We connect people to people, grassroots to policy, and the local to the European.

Today we see that we face major challenges in the European Union: Polarization and division threaten decades of European cooperation. Economic and social inequality affect cohesion in our societies. Europe and democracy need imagination.

It is precisely at this time that a public space for dialogue and debate about the values ​​of Europe is of great importance. Artists and cultural pioneers can raise complex issues in ways that transcend the political debate.

We believe in the power of culture to connect, provide space for meeting and discovery and tell the stories of Europe.

What do we do?

Since 1954 we have been working in the spirit of the founders Robert Schuman, Denis de Rougemont and Prince Bernard on the creation of a European public space that accommodates the many voices that Europe knows. They believed passionately in culture as a vital ingredient for Europe’s post-war rebuilding and healing. They envisioned a united Europe where citizens feel proudly European, a place where they can live, express themselves, work and dream freely, in diversity and harmony.

Of course, the way in which we have done this has evolved over the past decades: from large-scale conferences for the elite in the early years to co-setting up the Erasmus program to media workshops for European young people today.

1. We distinguish ourselves in our work because we support projects throughout Europe, not just within the European Union.

2. We connect and work together with local, national and European institutions, organizations and cultural promoters.

3. Every initiative that we support- at local, national or European level - is important for Europe. Whether in a permanent collaboration, or in a project submitted on one of our open "calls for ideas".

4. We lobby for a strong European cultural policy that underlines the importance of culture in European society.

Do you share our vision and want to make a difference?

With your donation or legacy we can work together for a Europe of the future. Our funding manager Gunilla Redelius will be happy to tell you more about the options.

The European Cultural Foundation has the Dutch culturele ANBI status.