Culture is not a luxury. It is what holds Europe together. Across a geopolitically challenged continent, artists, creative businesses and cultural organisations, and communities contribute to make European life meaningful; by building belonging, by sustaining identity and democratic culture. Democracy is more than institutions and infrastructure. Democracy entails solidarity, willingness to care, democracy is a culture. And people shape culture. This event brings together creatives, innovators, entrepreneurs, cultural organisations, and policymakers to highlight what European collaborations make possible and collectively imagine what must come next. Join us, as only together can we imagine how to strengthen European resilience!
Joint opening by EIT Culture & Creativity, European Cultural Foundation, DutchCulture | Creative Europe Desk NL, and Kunsten ’92.
War, democratic decline, climate change, and increasing inequality: Europe and the wider world are facing a growing list of crises. Yet many people who are not directly affected remain disengaged. How can the cultural and creative sectors not only raise awareness, but also inspire action?
How can digitisation open up access, strengthen transparency, and prepare Europe’s fashion ecosystem for what is coming? This session begins with a keynote by Borre Akkersdijk, whose work advances radical transparency in textile production, and brings together perspectives from academia and the fashion startup world to discuss how the transition to circularity, digital fashion, and Digital Product Passports collectively shape a more responsible and future‑ready industry.
Take a moment to stretch your legs, connect with others in the room, and meet representatives from organisations such as EIT Culture & Creativity, European Cultural Foundation, and DutchCulture | Creative Europe Desk NL, where you can learn about funding opportunities and other ways to get involved.
This session includes a panel with professionals from the news media and journalism sector, exploring how news media and policymakers can collaborate to safeguard democracy, combat misinformation and use AI responsible, positioning culture as a critical infrastructure for a resilient Europe.
Curious about how to engage with EIT Culture & Creativity, whether you are developing a business concept, building a startup, or looking to scale your work? In this session, Tuğçe Akbulut (Business Creation Programme Manager) and Gijs Gootjes (Director, Regional Hub North West) share more about funding opportunities, startup programmes from idea to scale, and collaboration pathways that support entrepreneurship, innovation, and growth in the cultural and creative sectors.
Take a moment to stretch your legs, connect with others in the room, and meet representatives from organisations such as EIT Culture & Creativity, European Cultural Foundation, and DutchCulture | Creative Europe Desk NL, where you can learn about funding opportunities and other ways to get involved.
The session will start with a keynote given by Vivian Opsteegh about what’s to come in the European media landscape, followed by a panel with professionals from the audiovisual sector which will explore how audiovisual media serve as a strategic infrastructure. The discussion will also highlight practical insights into leveraging this infrastructure to amplify societal impact and address future challenges.
Have you ever wondered about how important it is to train your democratic muscles? Democracy is more than voting once every few years: democracy is about how we live and make decisions together. It is something we do every day. Hence why it is so important we are fit and trained. Perhaps your democracy muscle could use a little workout? Or maybe you are dealing with a weak muscle? Do you want to know where your democracy muscle is actually located? Don’t you worry. Guided by two energetic democracy trainers, you will get to work out your often somewhat neglected democratic muscle groups. It is super fun to do, and after the exercise we guarantee you have grown your democratic self-confidence!
What does scaling mean in a more connected European landscape? This session takes the form of a conversation across city, start-up, and industry perspectives, exploring how creative businesses grow from local ecosystems to European scale through funding, networks, and market access. Through short interviews, we examine the role of cities in enabling innovation, the realities for startups on the ground, and how industry networks can help organisations expand and connect across borders. Expect perspectives rooted in Amsterdam, with the conversation reaching outward to wider European opportunities and moments of exchange such as SXSW London.
Joint closing by EIT Culture & Creativity, European Cultural Foundation, DutchCulture | Creative Europe Desk NL, and Kunsten ’92.
More about Europe Day
We will explore the landscapes shaping Europe’s future:
- Democratic media and journalism
- European sentiment and cultural cohesion
- Innovation and responsible technology
- Fashion, textiles, and circularity
- Scaling Europe’s Creative and Cultural Industries
Europe Day is meant to be a celebration of unity, culture, and connection – a moment to rethink, gather, and celebrate what makes Europe home. The day will start with a joint opening and then split into two parallel programmes: Europe Day 2026 and the Satellite BEYOND and finish with a joint closing and networking drinks.
This programme is organised by DutchCulture | Creative Europe Desk NL, EIT Culture & Creativity, European Cultural Foundation, Kunsten ’92.
About the moderator
Dymphie Braun is a freelance programme maker and moderator who uses design and creativity to develop new ideas and solutions around social justice.
