The European Commission (EC) has unveiled plans to boost European Union (EU) support for the cultural sectors through the new EUR1.8bn (£1.5bn) Creative Europe programme.

Nearly EUR500m (£416m) is earmarked for arts/culture and more than EUR900m (£748m) towards the cinema and audio-visual sector between 2014 and 2020 under the new initiative.

It is hoped the funding will help 300,000 artists and cultural professionals to receive support and reach out to new audiences beyond their home nation and across Europe.

Meanwhile, sector organisations will be able to benefit from training to gain new skills and strengthen their ability to work at an international level going forward.

The proposed EUR1.8bn (£1.5bn) budget is a 37 per cent increase on the current MEDIA programme, which is scheduled to run between 2007 and 2013.

Androulla Vassiliou, commissioner for education, culture, multi-lingualism and youth, said: "This investment will help tens of thousands of culture and audiovisual professionals to make the most of the Single Market and to reach new audiences in Europe and beyond.

"Without this support, it would be difficult or impossible for them to break into new markets. Creative Europe also promotes cultural and linguistic diversity, as well as contributing to our Europe 2020 objectives for jobs and sustainable growth."

Details: www.europa.eu

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