Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (Culture and Sport), 12 May 2026

Main results

Culture, audiovisual and media

AgoraEU

The Council agreed its position on key elements of the new AgoraEU programme supporting culture, media, and civil society in Europe.

The AgoraEU programme aims to foster shared values such as democracy, equality and the rule of law. It will support Europe’s cultural diversity and its cultural and creative sectors, including the audiovisual and news media sectors, as well as safeguarding artistic and media freedom and boosting active citizenship.

Today’s agreement marks an important step towards strengthening Europe’s cultural and democratic fabric. With AgoraEU, we are equipping our cultural and creative sectors with the tools they need to thrive, while safeguarding the values that underpin our Union, from artistic freedom to active citizenship.

Dr Vasiliki Kassianidou, Deputy Minister for Culture, Republic of Cyprus

The Council’s negotiating position is “partial” because it excludes financial and horizontal issues, which are currently being discussed as part of the negotiations on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the period 2028 to 2034.

• Partial general approach on the regulation establishing the AgoraEU programme
• AgoraEU: Council agrees partial mandate on new programme to support culture, media and democratic values (press release, 12 May 2026)
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EU Work Plan for Culture

Ministers exchanged views on key priorities for the 2027-2030 EU Work Plan for Culture, which is scheduled for approval by the end of 2026. The discussion focused on the cultural policy topics that the Council should prioritise during the 2027-2030 period, and how those priorities could be used to address current challenges and align with relevant policy frameworks.

• EU Work Plan for Culture 2027-2030 (steering note)
• A Culture Compass for Europe (Commission communication)
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Other points

Under ‘other business’, the Council received information about the work programme of the incoming Irish presidency. Other topics included the International Conference for the Reconstruction of Ukraine in Poland; culture and AI; and futureproofing of the upcoming AVMSD.

• A round table of culture ministers within the International Conference for the Reconstruction of Ukraine (URC), 25-26 June in Gdańsk, Poland – reconstruction of Ukraine’s cultural sector (information from Poland)
• Strengthening of independent and pluralistic European media landscape – futureproofing AVMSD rules - Information from Austria, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain
• On the necessity of assessing the EU copyright legal framework to consider AI development (information from Austria, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Spain)
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Sport

Sport tourism and sustainable development

The Council approved conclusions on sport tourism as a contributor to sustainable development. The conclusions call on member states to take a strategic approach to sport tourism development, fund initiatives such as capacity-building and digital innovation, and promote environmentally responsible practices in the organisation and delivery of sport tourism activities.

These conclusions recognise sport tourism as a contributor to sustainable development. By linking sport, tourism and local communities, we can generate economic opportunities, encourage healthier lifestyles and reinforce social cohesion, while ensuring that environmental protection and climate resilience remain at the core of Europe’s sport tourism.

Dr Athena Michaelidou, Minister for Education, Sport and Youth, Republic of Cyprus

• Council conclusions on sport tourism as a contributor to sustainable development
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Mental health in sport

An exchange of views took place on the topic of “Mental health in sport: from individual resilience to system responsibility”.

Ministers reflected on how member states could further develop and strengthen sport policies and practices to ensure that sports environments are designed in a way that reduces psychological pressure while supporting the mental well-being of athletes, coaches, sports officials and the wider sport workforce. 

They also explored ways that cooperation at EU level could enhance prevention and welfare across sport, health and education policy.

Kim Bui, a former elite German artistic gymnast, and George Loules, a physical education teacher, PhD candidate in sport psychology and professional football coach, also took part in the discussion.

• Mental health in sport: from individual resilience to system responsibility (steering note)
• EU Work Plan for Sport 2024-2027
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Informal lunch

Over lunch, ministers held an informal discussion on the topic of “Advancing active ageing through sport: promoting health, well-being and participation”.

Other points

Under ‘other business’, ministers received information on: the work programme of the incoming Irish presidency; the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in sport competitions in Europe; the impact on the organisation of sporting events in Europe of allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete internationally under their national symbols; the Lipica conclusions; and brain injury in sports.

• Participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in sport competitions in Europe: policy and security considerations (information from the Commission)
• The impact of allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete internationally under their national symbols on the organisation of sporting events in Europe (information from Poland)
• Lipica Conclusions – Measuring the Impact of Sport: From Economic to Social Perspectives (information from Slovenia)
• Brain injury in sports (information from the Netherlands)
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• Watch the press conference