Moldova joins Creative Europe Programme; Culture minister says country to benefit from European funds dedicated to culture, media, creative industries

Moldova as of January 1, 2026, will become part of the European Union's Creative Europe programme, which provides new opportunities for artists and cultural professionals of the country. The draft law for ratifying the Agreement on participation in the Programme was approved by the government today.

Moldova’s participation in the European Union's Creative Europe programme will support the sustainable and competitive development of culture and creative industries, with a direct impact on the modernization of these sectors.

At the government meeting, Culture Minister Cristian Jardan said that joining the programme would allow Moldova to benefit from access to European funds dedicated to culture, media and creative industries.

‘’European integration is not just a future project, but comes with immediate benefits. One of them is the project reviewed today, which is highly expected by the cultural community and all those involved in the creative industries of Moldova. This will allow our country, starting from January 1, 2026, to participate in the European Union's Creative Europe programme, the only EU programme dedicated to culture. We will benefit, under this program, from a large European fund dedicated to culture, media and creative industries,’’ said Minister Cristian Jardan.

The official noted that all associations, independent artists, creative unions, cultural institutions of the country would be able to apply to the Programme and encouraged them to do so.

‘’This year, the European Union is allocating 380 million euros to this fund, and all associations, independent artists, creative unions, our institutions will be able to apply. It is encouraged to apply in partnership, with partners from all countries participating in this programme. We are talking about all European Union countries and 14 other countries. We invite everyone to participate in this programme and hope to have as many winning projects as possible, for the benefit of everybody,’’ concluded Cristian Jardan.

Through access to European funding, technical support, and international cooperation opportunities, cultural and creative operators of Moldova will be able to develop innovative and sustainable projects, thus contributing to diversifying cultural products on the market and creating quality jobs, both in urban and rural areas with high creative potential.

The Agreement will come into effect after the completion of internal ratification procedures by the sides. Subsequently, starting from January 1, 2026, the Agreement will be applicable for Moldova.

The Creative Europe programme has a total budget of 2.4 billion euros for the period 2021–2027 for all member states and provides funding lines dedicated to artists, cultural organizations and creative industries.

The Agreement between Moldova and the European Union on the country’s  participation in the European Union's Creative Europe Programme, aimed at cultural and creative sectors, was signed in Chisinau on September 2, 2025.