COVID -19: Cultural and Creative Sectors
22/01: A welcome budgetary increase for Creative Europe/Media, an essential programme for the recovery and sustainability of the European film and Audiovisual sector in COVID-19 times - UNIC
Our eco-system has been rightfully recognised as one of the hardest hit by the pandemic and health & safety precautionary measures implemented by national governments. It is therefore crucial that the MEDIA strand of the Creative Europe Programme has the means to support the film and audiovisual sector in getting back on its feet, for the sake of its authors, talents, companies, workers, audiences and European citizens alike.
27/01: COVID-19 crisis will have ‘massive and lasting’ impact on Europe’s culture sector, says report – The Parliament Magazine
The study on the state of the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in Europe also says that the industry can be “one of the drivers to help boost and revamp” the EU economy.
28/01: UNIC calls for ongoing support for European cinemas to overcome the challenges of COVID - 19 - UNIC
The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the body representing European cinema trade associations and operators, has released preliminary 2020 box office estimates for the territories covered by the organisation.
COVID-19: EU response
28/01: State aid: Commission prolongs and further expands Temporary Framework to support economy in context of coronavirus outbreak – European Commission
The European Commission has decided to prolong until 31 December 2021 the State aid Temporary Framework adopted on 19 March 2020 to support the economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The Commission has also decided to expand the scope of the Temporary Framework by increasing the ceilings set out in it and by allowing the conversion of certain repayable instruments into direct grants until the end of next year.
27/01: European Commission successfully places first EU SURE bond in 2021 - European Commission
The European Commission has issued a €14 billion social bond under the EU SURE instrument to help protect jobs and people in work. The issuing consisted of two bonds, with €10 billion due for repayment in June 2028 and €4 billion due for repayment in November 2050.
25/01: Recovery and Resilience Facility: Commission updates guidance for recovery and resilience plans - European Commission
Following the political agreement on the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) reached in December, the Commission has presented updated guidance to Member States on the preparation and presentation of recovery and resilience plans.
19/01: MEPs adopt Technical Support Instrument to speed up post-COVID-19 recovery – European Parliament
The Technical Support Instrument will help EU countries prepare the recovery plans needed to access funding from the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
Portuguese Presidency
28/01: Presentation of Portuguese priorities in CULT Committee – European Parliament
On 26 January 2021 during its morning remote meeting session the CULT Committee Members welcomed the Presentation of the priorities of the upcoming Portuguese Presidency.
Poland
1/02: Polish Film Institute to Spend 26.5 m EUR on COVID-19 Aid for Cinema Industry – Film New Europe
The Polish Film Institute will start accepting applications for their next batch of aid for producers, distributors, and studio/small cinemas on 1 February 2021.
Events:
8 -11 February: European Parliament Plenary
11 February: High Level Conference on topic “The changing face of Intellectual Property in the Digital Transition era” – INPI
11 February: EAO Online conference on the Digital Services Act package
15 February: Eurogroup meeting
24 & 25 February: CULT Meeting
