European Cultural Foundation

On 4 February 2025, join the Cultural Deal for Europe Annual Policy Conversation at BOZAR, Brussels — or online. As the European Commission prepares to develop the Culture Compass in 2025, this is your chance to be part of the conversation shaping Europe’s cultural future. Hear from key policymakers like Marta Cienkowska (Poland's Deputy Minister of Culture), Nela Riehl (Chair, European Parliament's Culture Committee), and Nicolas Schmit (former EU Commissioner for Jobs & Social Rights), along with other influential voices from the cultural sector. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute and share your ideas. Register now: https://lnkd.in/eVuqvrcx #culturaldealforeurope

"She’s his wife, he can do what he wants." These chilling words echo the banality of patriarchal violence exposed in the Mazan rape trial—a historic case shaking Europe. For nearly a decade, Gisèle Pelicot was drugged by her husband and assaulted by over 50 men, a harrowing crime meticulously documented by the perpetrator himself. But Gisèle refused to stay silent. By waiving her anonymity and demanding a public trial, she’s confronting society’s complicity in patriarchal abuse. 🔍 What’s at stake? This trial isn’t just about justice for Gisèle—it’s a reckoning with consent, systemic misogyny, and the everyday "banality of evil" in seemingly "normal" communities. 💬 Gisèle’s words resound: "When you are raped, you feel shame—but it’s the men who should feel shame. I’m not angry. I’m determined to change this society." 🔗 Read the full story and join the conversation. https://lnkd.in/e6rTbRGn #MeToo #Patriarchy #ConsentMatters #MazanTrial Voxeurop

This holiday break, visit "Changemakers: From Committed Art to Democratic Artivism", a contemporary art exhibition organised by the European Parliament in collaboration with Culture Action Europe. Explore thought-provoking artworks that tackle pressing social and political issues affecting European citizens today. Book your guided visit here: https://lnkd.in/dK6EcUNe Also available online and in 24 languages: https://lnkd.in/dK6EcUNe . Free Entry - Parlamentarium, Brussels Don’t miss out on this powerful journey through art that sparks conversation and inspires change. See you there! #ChangemakersExhibition #ContemporaryArt #ArtForChange #EuropeanArt #SocialImpact #CultureActionEurope #EuropeanParliament #ChristmasBreak #ArtExhibition #Inspiration #ArtAndPolitics #Brussels

In September, If Librarians Ran Europe - The Amsterdam Summit of The Europe Challenge brought together librarians, changemakers, cultural leaders, and community innovators to reimagine how libraries can address Europe’s biggest challenges. Through inspiring panel discussions, participants explored libraries as spaces of democracy, mental well-being, and social change. Missed it?  Watch all three panels and our new Summit video on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eRXzfFX8 In December, we also hosted the If Librarians Ran Europe satellite webinar series, which drew over 1,200 registrations. These dynamic sessions showcased the transformative work of libraries and communities participating in The Europe Challenge, spotlighting creative solutions and new approaches to library-based change. Recordings of these webinars will be available on our YouTube channel in the coming weeks. Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss out on new stories, insights, and ideas from libraries reshaping Europe. #TheEuropeChallenge

What’s the role of social media in the society at large? Check out Voxeurop’s latest Press Review ‼️

On 4 February 2025, our Cultural Deal for Europe Annual Policy Conversation takes place at BOZAR, Brussels — and you can join online too. This is your chance to help shape the Culture Compass, a new strategy that will influence cultural funding, policy, and priorities across Europe. The event will bring together key cultural leaders and decision-makers, including Marta Cienkowska (Deputy Minister of Culture, Poland) and Nela Riehl (Chair of the European Parliament’s Culture Committee). Spots are limited — learn more and register now: https://lnkd.in/eVuqvrcx #culturaldealforeurope

Our December newsletter reflects on the key moments that defined 2024 and highlights what’s ahead in 2025. We spotlight our work in Georgia, Moldova, and Romania, introduce the new grantees for the Culture of Solidarity Fund, and invite you to save the date for the Cultural Deal for Europe on February 4, 2025. We also share inspiring discussions from If Librarians Ran Europe events, reveal the Lokal programme for smaller towns and regions, and revisit The European Pavilion 2024: Liquid Becomings. Plus, we turned 70 years old! Click the link: https://shorturl.at/DvEXT #europeanculturalfoundation

16 Stories, 16 Journeys: Meet the shortlisted writers from #TheEuropeChallenge's How a Library Changed My Life writing competition! Out of nearly 300 submissions, 16 remarkable stories were shortlisted in addition to the six winners of the competition. These stories take us into refugee camps, quiet library corners, and moments of personal discovery, reminding us that libraries are more than places to borrow books! Click the link to visit The Europe Challenge's Library of Stories and enjoy stories by Jay Mitra, Marijana Dakovic, Sarah Schütz, Alexandra Ganzer, Effie Papadopoulou, Maria Teresa Carbone and many others: https://lnkd.in/dBdRtdQS

🌍 Fast fashion's waste has a destination – and it’s not what you think. In Chile's Atacama Desert, 60,000 tons of unsold clothes are dumped every year. The pristine landscapes, home to unique ecosystems and breathtaking stargazing skies, are now scarred by waste mountains visible from space. But local activists aren’t giving up. Organizations like Desierto Vestido are cleaning up and turning trash into treasure, creating fashion that’s both stunning and sustainable. Read Magdalena Bartczak's piece on Krytyka Polityczna to uncover the human and environmental cost of the clothes we buy – and discard. 👉 https://lnkd.in/ePkbQy3e Follow Krytyka Polityczna for more investigations like this.

Will generative AI undermine journalism? New Episode of our Standard Time Show ‼️🔔 Afraid of falling behind, businesses are rushing to implement AI – even if their industries might not be ready for it. In this Standard Time episode, our partners at Eurozine explore generative AI’s impact on media and journalism, and ask whether its making us smarter or dumber. Our host sat down with three very interesting experts: Miriam Rasch (writer and philosopher), Mustafa Ünlü (filmmaker and journalist), and @Luka Lisjak Gabrijecic (editor at the journal @Razpotja to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of AI in Journalism. Watch the full episode: https://lnkd.in/etSP2MMd