Last summer, EU member states committed to an unprecedent €750 billion recovery plan that now needs to be implemented in every country.

Turning over the COVID page will be a demanding challenge, but Europe can count on a major ally: its cultural and creative industries (CCIs). As emphasised in a new study, CCIs are much more than just another sector to bail out of the epidemiological crisis: they are a significant component of Europe’s solution to this crisis.

Unfortunately, this progressive role, inspiring and driving Europe forward, has been seriously threatened by COVID-19. What is at stake today is the value CCIs create for our economy and our society.

We, the members of GESAC, are willing to work with European policymakers to implement a roadmap for making CCIs Europe’s no.1 ally for recovery. Time is running out. Let’s do this, together. Let’s do it now.

Read the full op-ed, including the proposed roadmap, here.