This report, commissioned by the European Commission, explores the initiative ‘Greening the Creative Europe Programme.’ Developed by Ecorys, it aims to integrate climate actions into the Creative Europe Programme without altering its core objectives. Aligned with the European Parliament’s call for greening Erasmus+, Creative Europe, and the European Solidarity Corps, the report spans the previous Creative Europe Programme (2014-2020) and the initial two years of the current one (2021-2022).
The study outlines objectives, including research on guidance for project applicants, monitoring green aspects, collecting green practices, and documenting progress. Beyond these, it explores the program’s potential to encourage sustainable actions, maps ‘green’ projects, and proposes environmental indicators for the program.
Examining the predecessor Creative Europe Programme, the report highlights the absence of formal greening requirements. The study reveals a notable number of ‘green’ projects and indicates both internal and external dimensions of greening efforts. Challenges, opportunities, and the program’s contribution to climate and biodiversity mainstreaming are thoroughly examined.
The report scrutinizes the 2021-2027 Creative Europe Programme, emphasizing its role in addressing climate challenges and contributing to the European Green Deal. It discusses specific greening criteria within strands, identifying challenges for beneficiaries and managing authorities, along with potential opportunities.
A detailed methodology section elucidates how the study collected data, including scoping interviews, literature reviews, beneficiary surveys, stakeholder consultations, and policy Delphi. The report explores the internal and external dimensions of greening and presents findings on green methods, dissemination of practices, and mutual learning activities.
Concluding with practical insights, the report offers three essential documents: the Creative Europe Programme Greening Strategy, the Good Environmental Practices Guide, and the Creative Europe Monitoring Guide. These documents provide strategic guidance, practical recommendations, and monitoring indicators to propel the Creative Europe Programme towards a sustainable and green future, aligning with the European Green Deal’s overarching objectives.
