After analyzing the first (Health) cluster of the Horizon Europe funding scheme here, now it is time to gain some insight into Cluster 2 that is dedicated to Culture, Creativity and a more Inclusive Society.
The Cluster 2 that is addressing cultural issues, is part of a series of six Clusters that come under the Pillar II of the Horizon Europe programme, named “Global Challenges & European Industrial Competitiveness”. The other 5 Clusters are: Health, Civil Security for Society, Digital, Industry & Space, Climate, Energy & Mobility, and Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment.
If you want to read more general information about the whole structure of the Horizon Europe programme, its components and aims, click on our relevant blog article here:
Cluster 2 | Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Society
European identity is inextricably related to history and culture, with European cultural institutions, organisations and the art world being in the forefront of the global trends and developments. At the same time, the European population has undergone a major shift in its core as immigration has brought irreversible changes in local societies, in terms also of cultural issues, gender equality issues, human rights challenges and diversity. Europe has now to find a way to combine economic growth by maintaining high levels of social protection and inclusion, to protect shared values including democracy and human rights, while keeping up to constant changes in the society due to globalization and technological innovations.
This is why the Cluster number 2 under Pillar II is dedicated to Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society, and focuses on challenges pertaining to democratic governance, cultural heritage and the creative economy, as well as social and economic transformations. These challenges provide a clear picture of what benefits citizens and what different stakeholders can expect from research and innovation actions supported under this cluster.
For all the above reasons, the European Union along with the European Commission and the European Parliament have decided to dedicate 155,9 million to projects related to this Cluster about Culture, Creativity and a more Inclusive Society.
The relation with UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
This Cluster is also an embodiment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These 17 in total goals have been adopted by the UN seven years ago in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Their aim has been to push towards the implementation of strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve oceans and forests.
More specifically, this Cluster number 2 on Culture, Creativity, and Inclusive society is greatly influenced by nine of these goals: SDG 1 (No poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
The issue of migration & integration and the societal impacts of the coronavirus
In the last few years Europe has experienced a surge of asylum seekers, in particular from war-torn countries as well as significant inflows of EU citizens taking advantage of their freedom of movement rights. The migration issue has become crucial in the EU countries, the majority of which struggles to meet the common objectives of integration and inclusion of new populations. The Cluster number 2 aims to support EU migration and mobility policies, both internal and external, while aiming to promote integration. Specifically, in one expected impact (destination number 4) of Cluster 2, is clearly stated that activities will aim in the better management of migration and the integration of migrants and populations of immigrant background into European labour markets and societies.
Another factor taken into account in this Cluster is the COVID-19 pandemic. As its aftermath is slowly fading away, the societal impacts are still under examination and Europe faces the need to learn from the mistakes of the last couple of years. Cluster 2 addresses these issues in all its destinations with the objective to better understand this last crisis. Cluster 2 will also urge research teams across the social science sector to find scientific evidence that will enable policies helping recovery and enhancing resilience and responsiveness in case of future crises.
Synergies, European and international cooperations
Based on previous experience related to cooperation and synergies, it is now clear that through partnerships among stakeholders from various fields, the impact of the European projects has greatly proliferated. Additionally, to be in line with the Horizon Europe Regulation, complementarities and synergies with other relevant ΕU programmes has to be sought. Thus, for better results, during this cluster’s implementation, a number of synergies and cooperations have to be established with various programmes, projects and funding schemes such as Creative Europe, Erasmus+, Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument, Digital Europe Programme (DEP), Justice, Rights and Values Fund, InvestEU Programme, etc.
During the implementation of this cluster’s activities, international cooperations will also have to be established. More specifically, the areas of collaboration under this Cluster number 2 could be the multilateral governance, employment, social aspects of changing trade patterns and value chains, the drivers and governance of migration, the democratic governance of cultural diversity, and the crises and promotion of democracy in the EU neighborhood. Additionally, the globalization aspect sets a number of other areas of possible collaboration especially in relation with global trends in democratic governance, intercultural relations and cooperation on cultural heritage, inclusive growth, and decent work and fair working conditions.
The 4 Destinations or impacts of Cluster 2:
All projects made under Cluster 2 are expected to achieve the following four impacts or the so-called destinations of this work programme:
- The reinvigorating of the democratic governance by improving the accountability, transparency, effectiveness and trustworthiness of rule-of-law based institutions and policies.
- The use of the full potential of cultural heritage, arts, cultural and creative sectors.
- The enhancement of social and economic resilience and sustainability.
- New evidence- based policies that promote inclusiveness and fairness in the employment sector and education, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic that has brought about new socio-economic challenges.
Some facts & figures | Projects, participants & funding under Cluster Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Society of the Horizon Europe
About the funding of the projects under the Cluster Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Society (that belongs in the Pillar II: “Global Challenges & European Industrial Competitiveness”), we can see that
the Net EU contribution is €155,9 million, with the total cost reaching €152,938 billion, 53 signed grants in total for 2021 and 2022 and with 485 organisations participating in them.
The 4 top participating countries in terms of the number of participants are in this order: Spain, Italy. Belgium and Germany. The top three participants in terms of the NET EU contribution are all from Finland and come with this order: TURUN YLIOPISTO- University of Turku, AB YRKESHOGSKOLAN VID ABO AKADEMI- University of Applied Science, TAMPEREEN KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR- Tampere University.
Cyprus’ financing on Cluster Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Society
Concerning the projects funded under this Cluster about Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Society, Cyprus is coming in the 23d position in terms of the number of participants. The Net EU contribution is €2,65 million, with the total cost reaching €2,89 million, 9 signed grants in total for 2021 and 2022 and with 11 organisations participating in them.
