UK confirms plan to exit Creative Europe funding program

The UK will not participate in the next Creative Europe funding program, which has awarded almost €90m ($100m) to hundreds of UK-based cultural and creative organisations and audiovisual companies between 2014 and 2018.

The decision, prompted by publication of the UK government’s European Union negotiation mandate late last month, means the country will not be part of the Creative Europe scheme, due to start in January 2021.

It will not affect projects funded under the current programme, which runs from 2014 to 2020, however, and awardees will receive funding for their full duration under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, including projects that continue after 1 January, 2021.

The Creative Europe’s UK office will continue to support producers and filmmakers and help them to access the opportunities that exist between now and the end of the current program. UK organisations can also continue to apply for Creative Europe funding until the current program ends in December 2020.

As the UK’s status as a participating eligible country during this period is unchanged, non UK applicants can include UK films in their applications to Creative Europe’s MEDIA sub-programme.

Since its launch in 2014 and until 2018, Creative Europe said it had awarded €89.5m to 376 UK-based cultural and creative organisations and audiovisual companies, helping to distribute 190 UK films across Europe.

Producer concerns

Producers have previously voiced concerns at the funding withdrawl and the British Film Institute (BFI) has said it “will be talking to government urgently about the need to provide swift replacement funding as we recognise that this will immediately impact on our industry and business.”

Participation in Creative Europe is not restricted to EU member states, with countries such as Iceland and Norway as well as neighbouring countries such as Serbia and Albania involved. These countries must, however, comply with certain EU regulations and policies and pay a financial contribution in order to participate.

Creative Europe said: “Our advice for UK lead and partner organisations and other European partners is to continue applications for the forthcoming Creative Europe calls.”

A list of available funding opportunities can be found on the deadlines page of its website.