Recap: EMC Round Table for music organisations 2026

More than 30 representatives of EMC member organisations met in Brussels on 3 February 2026 for a Round Table discussion to explore joint policy steps and measures. The participants discussed the most recent developments in the European Parliament and the Council regarding the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), especially AgoraEU and the Competitiveness Fund. Further discussions revolved around the Culture Compass for Europe and its flagship initiatives. 

The EMC members exchanged on their priorities regarding the MFF and the Culture Compass and made suggestions for further advocacy action by the EMC. These priorities include an increased budget for AgoraEU, an earmarking for the culture strand, revenues from digital fines to top-up the AgoraEU budget as well as further specifications regarding the funding lines and more details about the future of Creative Europe Desks. Additionally, the participants stressed the importance of including specific support for the music and cultural and creative sectors in other EU funding instruments such as the European Competitiveness Fund and European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund.

The Round Table exchange also helped to shape the message of the EMC and its members delivered by EMC Secretary General Simone Dudt during the Cultural Deal EU event on 3 February 2026 organised by Culture Action Europe, the European Cultural Foundation and Europa Nostra which brought together EU policy makers such as Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Members of the European Parliament e.g. the Chair of the Culture and Education Committee Nela Riehl as well as representatives from the cultural and creative sectors across Europe.

The EMC advocacy action regarding the future MFF will be published on our website continously in the coming months.