How to watch the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)

Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting ICM

Panel 1 setup and national views on Agora EU

Emma Rafowicz and 6 others

The first panel on Agora EU and Creative Europe is launched by the Chair and rapporteurs, outlining the merger logic and budget structure. National parliamentarians then present detailed concerns and proposals on access barriers, oversubscription, cultural heritage, AI, media pluralism, labour conditions and the visibility and autonomy of Creative Europe within Agora EU.

In this chapter

1. Panel 1 launch: Agora EU and Creative EuropeEmma Rafowicz
2. Agora EU: first national interventions (access, AI, heritage)Céline Calvez
3. Agora EU: further national views and sector concernsLouis-Jean de Nicolaÿ

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting ICM

Opening and MFF 2028–2034 framework

Nela Riehl Verts/ALE

The Chair opens the interparliamentary meeting, sets procedural rules and tools, and frames the focus on Erasmus+, ESC and Creative Europe. Rapporteur Sousa Silva then presents Parliament’s priorities for the next MFF, detailing proposed GNI margins, top‑ups and reinforced envelopes for Erasmus+ (incl. ESC) and the new Agora EU programme.

In this chapter

1. Opening: objectives and debate rulesNela Riehl
2. MFF 2028–2034: Sousa Silva on CULT prioritiesNela Riehl

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Committee on Culture and Education Joint meeting with Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)

New sitting: European Media Freedom Act draft report

In a subsequent meeting, the chair opens proceedings and introduces the draft report on the European Media Freedom Act, with CULT and LIBE rapporteurs outlining key provisions on media independence, ownership transparency, protection of journalists and the role of the European Board for Media Services before giving the floor to shadows.

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Committee on Culture and Education Joint meeting with Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)

Child online safety and data protection: expert hearing

CULT and LIBE hold a joint hearing on protecting children online, with expert input on age verification, privacy-by-design and enforcement, followed by MEPs’ questions on data-minimising verification technologies and whether DSA rules adequately address systemic risks for minors.

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Committee on Culture and Education Joint meeting with Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)

Agora EU budget, governance and next steps

Sandra Gómez López and 3 others

The BUDG rapporteur assesses the financial proposal and calls for a higher envelope, clearer budgetary structure and stronger parliamentary control, after which MEPs raise remaining concerns on earmarking and existing structures, the Commission explains the three-strand architecture and Council state of play, and co-rapporteurs close with political framing and the timetable for amendments.

In this chapter

1. BUDG Committee: budgetary assessment and parliamentary controlSandra Gómez López
2. Short second round and Commission response on Agora EU architectureNela Riehl
3. Co-rapporteurs’ closing remarks and timetable for amendmentsEmma Rafowicz

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Committee on Culture and Education Joint meeting with Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)

Agora EU legislative debate: political groups’ positions

Sabine Verheyen and 6 others

Co-rapporteurs present the objectives and structure of the Agora EU programme and are followed by EPP, S&D, ID, ECR, Renew, Greens and Left shadows, who set out divergent positions on budget level, programme architecture, media strands, conditionality on EU values, AI safeguards, access for small actors, and sectoral balance between culture, media and civic space.

In this chapter

1. EPP and S&D (LIBE) shadows: budget, structure and media strandsSabine Verheyen
2. ID and ECR critiques: programme control and ‘ideological’ conditionalityAndrás László
3. Renew, Greens and Left shadows: access, AI, small actors and sector balanceNela Riehl

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

Agora EU: political groups’ positions on funding, values, governance and AI

Sabine Verheyen and 4 others

Political groups set out their positions on Agora EU’s funding structure, governance and value conditionality: EPP and S&D call for stronger media support and parliamentary control, ID and ECR criticise perceived ideological bias and defend member‑state oversight and national constitutional identities, while Renew backs cultural sovereignty but warns against overburdening SMEs and seeks workable rules on fair pay, inclusion and AI‑related obligations.

In this chapter

1. Agora EU: EPP and S&D shadows on funding architecture and media supportSabine Verheyen
2. Agora EU: critical views from ID and ECR on governance and valuesAndrás László
3. Agora EU: Renew CULT concerns on structure, SME burden and AIBrigitte van den Berg

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

Agora EU programme: joint CULT–LIBE opening and co‑rapporteurs

Nela Riehl and 2 others

The joint CULT–LIBE meeting on the proposed Agora EU programme is opened with procedural clarifications and framing of its role for culture, democracy and rights, after which the CULT and LIBE co‑rapporteurs present an expanded architecture building on Creative Europe, MEDIA and CERV+, including dedicated strands and safeguards for culture, media, journalism, civic space and anti‑violence actions.

In this chapter

1. Joint CULT–LIBE meeting opening on Agora EU programmeNela Riehl
2. Agora EU: CULT co‑rapporteur Rafowicz on culture, media and journalism strandsEmma Rafowicz
3. Agora EU: LIBE co‑rapporteur Kuhnke on civic space, Daphne and media freedomAlice Kuhnke

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Committee on Culture and Education Joint meeting with Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)

Erasmus+ budget clarification and launch of Agora EU meeting

Nela Riehl and 3 others

A member corrects misconceptions about Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps budget cuts before the CULT Chair closes that item and formally opens the joint CULT–LIBE meeting on the Agora EU programme, adopts the agenda and explains the joint-committee mandate and procedural framework.

In this chapter

1. Budget clarification on Erasmus+ and ECS; transition to next agenda itemNela Riehl
2. Opening of joint CULT–LIBE meeting on Agora EU and agenda adoption
3. Co-rapporteurs’ presentations: objectives and structure of Agora EUMarina Kaljurand

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

Erasmus+ post‑2028 proposal: rapporteur, shadows, other committees and Commission

Nela Riehl and 6 others

Rapporteur Zdrojewski presents the 2028–2034 Erasmus+ architecture and budget, followed by positions from CULT shadows and BUDG/CONT on funding, governance, inclusion, performance and conditionality; DEVE and EMPL inputs stress global outreach and social inclusion, MEPs raise points on sport, VET and access, and the Commission responds before the rapporteur’s closing remarks and amendment deadline announcement.

In this chapter

1. Erasmus+ post‑2028 proposal: rapporteur’s presentationNela Riehl
2. Erasmus+: S&D, EPP and Renew CULT shadows’ prioritiesNela Riehl
3. Erasmus+: Greens/EFA shadow and budgetary oversight from BUDG & CONTNela Riehl

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

CULT opinions on ESF+, Youth Guarantee and NRP cohesion funds

Nela Riehl Verts/ALE

The committee adopts three opinions linked to the 2028–2034 funding framework: on ESF+ with a strong culture and inclusion focus, on implementation of the reinforced Youth Guarantee, and on the NRP cohesion and related funds regulation, including a push for a culture earmark and extensive amendment votes.

In this chapter

1. European Social Fund+ (2028–2034) opinion: culture focus and voteNela Riehl
2. Youth Guarantee implementation opinion: compromise package voteNela Riehl
3. NRP cohesion and related funds opinion: culture, education and massive amendment voteNela Riehl

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

CULT meeting opening and media literacy strategy vote

Nela Riehl Verts/ALE

The CULT chair opens the meeting, confirms procedural decisions and reporting on the culture declaration, then introduces and steers the vote on the own‑initiative report on a new strategy for media literacy and digital learning, including its preventive focus against disinformation and online manipulation.

In this chapter

1. Opening of CULT meeting and agenda approvalNela Riehl
2. Media literacy strategy report: introduction and voteNela Riehl

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

Q&A block I: Erasmus–Horizon synergies, CCS funding, AI and Hungary

Nela Riehl and 1 other

MEPs question the Commissioner on concrete Erasmus–Horizon synergies, funding and IP protection for cultural and creative sectors and university alliances, AI investment (including RAISE), the Choose Europe initiative and ERA Act’s ‘fifth freedom’, and conditions linked to Hungary’s participation, to which she replies on existing instruments, opposition to rigid earmarking, expected ERA Act content, AI co‑funding logic and the need to address political interference in Hungarian universities.

In this chapter

1. Coordinators’ questions: Erasmus–Horizon synergies and CCS fundingNela Riehl
2. Commissioner: Replies on synergies, alliances, CCS, Choose Europe, ERA Act, AI and HungaryNela Riehl

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

Structured dialogue opening: Commissioner Zaharieva’s mandate and vision

Nela Riehl Verts/ALE

The chair opens the structured dialogue with Commissioner Zaharieva, who presents her vision for research and innovation, reforms to academic careers and scientific freedom under a future ERA Act, continued Horizon support for culture and creative industries, and measures to attract talent to Europe via Choose Europe, Marie Skłodowska‑Curie, ERC and innovation programmes for youth.

In this chapter

1. Chair: Opens structured dialogue with Commissioner ZaharievaNela Riehl
2. Commissioner Zaharieva: Vision for R&I, Horizon and talentNela Riehl

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

Experts and Commission: Responses on AVMSD revision, creators and MEDIA/Agora

Nela Riehl and 1 other

Experts respond on converging rules for media and platforms, prominence and European work definitions, calibrated obligations and training for content creators, intra‑EU circulation and protection of authorship, while the Commission outlines AVMSD evaluation priorities (prominence, new actors, minors, media sustainability) and defends the integration of Creative Europe MEDIA within Agora EU.

In this chapter

1. Experts’ first response: Platforms, creators, balance
2. Experts’ second response: Information space, creators’ training, intra‑EU circulationNela Riehl
3. Commission DG Connect: AVMSD review focus and MEDIA under AgoraNela Riehl

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

MEP coordinators’ questions: Platforms, quotas, Agora, influencers

Nela Riehl and 3 others

The chair opens the floor to MEPs, who question experts on redefining audiovisual media versus platforms for a level playing field, the design and earmarking of Agora EU and MEDIA, the effectiveness and scope of quotas and European work definitions, and the regulatory treatment of influencers and platform power over visibility and financing.

In this chapter

1. Chair: Transition to MEP coordinators’ questionsNela Riehl
2. EPP Verheyen: Level playing field, Agora and financingSabine Verheyen
3. S&D / Renew / Left: Cultural sovereignty, quotas, influencersEmma Rafowicz
4. Catch‑the‑eye MEPs: Algorithms, tax, sovereignty, media literacyNela Riehl

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

Opening: Hearing on AVMSD and audiovisual framework

Nela Riehl Verts/ALE

The chair opens the CULT hearing on the audiovisual framework, and four invited experts present their perspectives on AVMSD within the wider EU media regime, protection of minors, creators’ roles, tensions with platforms and DSA, and the defence of European works, cinemas and artistic freedom vis‑à‑vis global platforms.

In this chapter

1. Chair: Hearing on AV framework and expertsNela Riehl
2. Prof. Cole: AVMSD in the wider EU media regime
3. Prof. Cole: Protection of minors, enforcement, prominence

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

European Heritage Label: MEPs’ concerns, Commission responses and session adjournment

Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski and 4 others

MEPs question the EHL’s visibility, funding, value criteria and risk of politicisation, the Commission replies on promotion tools, expert panel independence and diversity of sites, and the Chair closes the morning session by stressing the label’s educational value and announcing the afternoon hearing on audiovisual policy and creative freedom.

In this chapter

1. MEPs’ questions: visibility, funding and value criteria for EHLBogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski
2. Commission replies: promotion, expert panel independence and diversity of sitesJosé Manuel Fernandez Arroyo
3. Closing of morning session: EHL as educational tool and afternoon agendaNela Riehl

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

European Heritage Label: presentation and upcoming legal revision

Nela Riehl and 1 other

The Commission explains the objectives, history and selection process of the European Heritage Label, details its current scope across Member States, and announces a planned revision of the legal basis by 2026 to streamline procedures, reinforce monitoring and visibility, and clarify Parliament’s role in nominating experts.

In this chapter

1. European Heritage Label: objectives, history and current scopeNela Riehl
2. Planned revision of EHL legal basis and Parliament’s roleJosé Manuel Fernandez Arroyo

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

Opening and agenda: launch of CULT meeting

Nela Riehl and 4 others

The Chair opens the CULT meeting, adopts the agenda and recalls participation rules, then the ECA and European Schools representatives present the audit mandate, main accounting results and compliance issues, followed by rapporteur and shadows highlighting budgetary gaps and control weaknesses, the ECA and Secretary‑General outlining structural constraints and needed reforms, and the Chair closing the file with a commitment to continued parliamentary oversight.

In this chapter

1. Opening of CULT meeting: agenda and June inter-parliamentary eventNela Riehl
2. European Schools: ECA mandate, scope and methodologyKatarína Kaszasová
3. European Schools accounts: main results and accounting issuesKatarína Kaszasová

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

Q&A: tailored indicators, regional role and climate scope

Diana Riba i Giner and 3 others

Members and the Chair question the Commission on customised indicators versus standardisation, the involvement of regions in monitoring within a more centralised MFF architecture, and the concrete scope of the 35 % climate target, with the Commission clarifying affected funds, regional participation and the distinction between simplified funding modes and harmonised performance tracking before closing the item.

In this chapter

1. Chair: CULT input via letter and question on regional roleDiana Riba i Giner
2. M. Herbst: difficultés des indicateurs horizontaux et rôle des régionsNiclas Herbst
3. Commission: climate target scope, regional involvement and performance vs costs; item closureGaetano D'Adamo

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

Rapporteur and shadows: indicators, social and cultural priorities

Jean-Marc Germain and 4 others

The rapporteur and shadows set out political priorities and concerns on the performance framework, contesting over‑standardised indicators, calling for enforceable social and gender targets, stronger DNSH and biodiversity tracking, and warning against bureaucratic burdens and ill‑suited indicators for Erasmus+, Agora EU, culture, media and youth mobility.

In this chapter

1. M. Herbst (EPP): enjeux horizontaux et compétitivitéNiclas Herbst
2. Erasmus+ rapporteur: risks of harmonised indicators and bureaucracyBogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski
3. Agora EU rapporteur: need tailored indicators for culture and mediaEmma Rafowicz

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

CULT Chair & Commission: performance regulation mandate

Diana Riba i Giner and 1 other

The Chair opens the item on the new performance regulation, and the Commission presents the objectives, horizontal principles and indicators, including climate, social and gender tracking and the new single funding gateway, framing how these changes will impact programmes such as Erasmus+ and Agora EU.

In this chapter

1. Opening of meeting and introduction of performance regulationDiana Riba i Giner
2. Commission: horizontal principles, targets and indicatorsGaetano D'Adamo
3. Commission: single funding gateway and performance focusGaetano D'Adamo

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

Commission perspective: EU education frameworks and Erasmus+

Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski PPE

DG EAC presents how the European Education Area, youth strategy and upcoming basic‑skills package (including citizenship and digital skills) fit into the next MFF, and details planned Erasmus+ reforms to strengthen inclusion, schools and sport, disadvantaged talent support and youth participation tools.

In this chapter

1. Commission (DG EAC): EU policy frameworks and upcoming package
2. Erasmus+ reform, inclusion measures and youth participationBogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

Hearing opening: youth, education and expert perspectives

Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski and 2 others

The Chair opens the public hearing on education, youth and democratic engagement, followed by expert inputs on early childhood and mental health, the role of history education and European historical consciousness, and Roma youth inclusion, leadership and policy recommendations.

In this chapter

1. Chair introduces public hearing on education and youthBogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski
2. Chechynski Family Foundation: early education, parents, mental health
3. Kupczyk: early childhood window and policy recommendations

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Committee on Culture and Education Ordinary meeting

Traineeship directive: Chair and rapporteur update

Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski and 1 other

The Chair resumes the CULT meeting on the traineeship directive and rapporteur Alicia Homs outlines Parliament’s priorities and red lines for the trilogue negotiations, including scope, equal treatment, written agreements, anti‑abuse safeguards, data collection and transposition.

In this chapter

1. Chair resumes meeting: traineeship directive itemBogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski
2. Rapporteur Homs: Parliament’s priorities in triloguesAlicia Homs Ginel

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