We place culture at the heart of strengthening a European sentiment.
Culture brings people together
Our programmes, partnerships, and advocacy place culture at the heart of Europeans’ better understanding of one another, working together, and taking collective action on the issues shaping their communities and Europe.
Our Mission
Through cultural initiatives, we help grow European sentiment and a shared commitment to democracy, openness and inclusion.
Our Impact
Today, we support networks, programmes and partnerships that connect people, organisations and communities so ideas can travel, collaboration can grow, and joint action can take shape.
Our Legacy
Since 1954, we have helped generations of Europeans meet, collaborate and learn from one another through culture.
Our focus areas
Our work focuses on four areas where cultural cooperation makes a practical difference: libraries as trusted community spaces, digital environments that support democratic participation, cross-border solidarity in times of strain, and stronger European investment through philanthropy and public partnerships.
Public Policy
Europe’s biggest cultural and democratic challenges cannot be addressed by projects alone; they require supportive public systems. Policy shapes how culture is funded, how digital spaces are governed, and how solidarity can grow across borders. To build a stronger, more connected Europe, good ideas must influence the rules and institutions that affect us all.
For our communities
Our communities bring together cultural practitioners, civil society organisations, libraries, funders, and everyday Europeans who learn from one another and collaborate across borders. They create spaces for collaboration, exchange and joint action around the issues that matter to Europe’s future.
Our legacy
Since 1954, ECF has not only supported culture but shaped how it is understood and practiced across Europe. From grant-making to institution-building, research, and advocacy, its role has continuously evolved in response to Europe’s changing needs.
