On 8 April 2020, the EU cultural ministers discussed the effects of COVID-19 on the cultural and creative sector. In the press conference following the meeting, Commissioner Mariya Gabriel outlined which measures implemented at EU level are relevant for the cultural and creative sector and which actions will be taken under the Creative Europe programme.

The following measures are available for the cultural and creative sectors although the accessibility may sometimes depend on national regulations.

1. Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative
   37 billion Euro of the structural funds will be provided to alleviate the effects of the pandemic. Stakeholders of the cultural and creative sector can access these funds if the respective member state agreed to it.
2. Instrument for Temporary Support Employment
   This measure is designed to protect against loss of jobs and income and encompasses 100 billion Euro. It is up to the Member States to make it available for creators, artists and other independents in the cultural and creative sector.
3. Temporary Framework for State Aid
   It enables Member States to use the full flexibility foreseen under State aid rules to support the economy. Culture is listed as one of the sectors most severely hit by the COVID-19 crisis.

The following measures under Creative Europe were announced by Commissioner Mariya Gabriel:

1. Maximum flexibility within the existing rules of the ongoing and planned actions: extension of deadlines for applications
2. Clear instructions to Creative Europe Desks on how to invoke the force-majeure clause.
3. Special measures for cinemas: 5 mio. Euro in the form of vouchers for cinemas most affected by the lockdown.
4. Redirecting the work of the support scheme of the cross-border dimension of the performing arts works towards digital culture and virtual mobility. The call of 2 million Euro will be published in May.
5. Speeding up the selection procedure for the literary translation scheme.
6. Speeding up the evaluation procedure for the 2020 cooperation projects.
7. Explore together with Commissioner Thierry Breton how the Guarantee Facility for the cultural and creative sector can adapted to mitigate the effects of the crisis on the sector.

Additionally, Commissioner Gabriel proposed to set up two platforms: one by the Member States to share best practices and one for the sector itself to share their own proposals and solutions and challenges they are facing.

She also emphasized that beyond the COVID-19 crisis, the need to strengthen the Creative Europe budget in the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

You can watch the video of the press conference here