Culture: Europe’s Compass for the Future
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Cultural Deal for Europe – Annual Policy Conversation
Tuesday, February 4 – Bozar (Brussels)
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As part of our advocacy efforts, ALTER EGO (X) took part in the Cultural Deal for Europe – Annual Policy Conversation in Brussels. This yearly event brings together cultural and political stakeholders committed to defending an ambitious vision for culture in Europe. We voiced our convictions: a culture that is free, accessible, and foundational to Europe’s future. At a time when the rise of populism, the precariousness of artists, and the dominance of major digital platforms threaten cultural diversity, it is more crucial than ever to strengthen policies and funding for the cultural sector. The need to build European alternatives to dominant digital platforms was a key topic of discussion. Storytelling independence, access to free media, and support for European cultural production are at the heart of our commitment.
Far from being merely a field of artistic expression, culture is also a space of power—and a safeguard against authoritarian drift. We emphasised the importance of protecting artistic freedom and narrative diversity in an ever-shifting political landscape.
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The working conditions of artists and cultural workers must be reimagined. Now more than ever, we advocate for stronger recognition of cultural professions and a fairer redistribution of European funding.
In the face of identity crises and nationalist backlashes, culture must serve as a lever for cohesion. We call for a transnational approach that values diversity and fosters artistic cooperation across borders.
This edition of the Cultural Deal for Europe strengthened our resolve: to make culture a cornerstone of Europe’s future. ALTER EGO (X) remains committed—alongside institutions and cultural networks—to placing culture at the heart of European public policy.
CLOSING THE GAP
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Seine-Saint-Denis and the 2024 Olympics:
What cultural and urban transformations?
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Closing the Gap is a program of the ENCC (European Network of Cultural Centers) designed to foster dialogue and cooperation between socio-cultural centres and local policymakers. The goal is to organise an event where, through a facilitated discussion, members of civil society and local political and cultural actors engage in conversation to highlight advocacy strategies around a specific local issue.
An event organised in collaboration with: ALTER EGO (X) - France, Le Sample - Bagnolet, France, ENCC - European Network of Cultural Centers
Closing the gap • Reset! Live Podcast • Cultural deal for Europe • Closing the gap • Reset! Live Podcast • Cultural deal for Europe • Closing the gap • Reset! Live Podcast •
Reset! Live Podcast #6: Closing the Gaps and Building New Alliances, A Necessary Horizon
#EditorialProductions
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Independent cultural and media actors are facing mounting pressure in a climate of constant crisis. The hyper-concentration of the cultural and media industries, the growing precarity of independent structures, and increasing restrictions on freedom of expression are making it harder to defend a culture that is free and accessible to all.
In this context, cooperation between networks is no longer optional—it’s essential. It allows for the pooling of resources, the amplification of voices, and the strengthening of the cultural sector’s capacity to act in the face of dominant powers.
It is from this perspective that ALTER EGO (X), Reset! Network, and the ENCC (European Network of Cultural Centres) joined forces to co-produce this episode of the Reset! Live Podcast.
Their shared ambition? To explore how to build strong alliances between the cultural sector and public institutions—local authorities, public service media, universities—in order to create a true counterbalance to economic and political pressures.
For the past two years, ENCC has been leading this reflection through its Closing the Gap project, which encourages collaboration between cultural centres and local authorities. Reset! shares this vision and aims to expand it to include all independent cultural and media stakeholders. The objective of this alliance is clear: to build a more resilient ecosystem—one that can defend the independence of cultural organisations while strengthening their impact on the ground.
This growing collaboration between Reset! Network and ENCC reflects a broader dynamic led by ALTER EGO (X): connecting cultural initiatives so they can not only exist, but make an impact—together. Through this episode, we want to show that it is possible to break free from isolation, build strong alliances, and use cooperation as a strategic tool for the future of the cultural and media sectors.​
Our ambition: to work towards a fairer, more cohesive society. Our ambition: to work towards a fairer, more cohesive society.
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