This Week in Arts & Culture — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission launches new European Capitals of Culture framework; New strategy and regulatory package for outermost regions; Innovation Act and Public Procurement Act Q&A.
September 07, 2026 to September 13, 2026
Commission launches new European Capitals of Culture framework; New strategy and regulatory package for outermost regions; Innovation Act and Public Procurement Act Q&A.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission sets out next chapter for European Capitals of Culture after over 40 years of success
On 9 September 2026, the European Commission unveiled a renewed framework for the European Capitals of Culture programme, extending its vision beyond 2033. The revised approach will simplify selection procedures, support cross-border city groups, and reinforce long-term legacy and sustainability planning. The new framework also aims to increase youth and citizen involvement and give precedence to inclusive urban development. Supported by the Creative Europe programme, the initiative has seen 85 title-holders since 1985, with Oulu (Finland) and Trenčín (Slovakia) currently holding the title and Évora (Portugal) and Liepāja (Latvia) planned for 2027. Under the proposal, third countries associated with Creative Europe will be eligible to apply as of 2034. The legislative proposal will proceed to parallel negotiations in the European Parliament and the Council, with a target for agreement by mid-2027.
A new strategic vision for the outermost regions, strengthening the EU's global reach
The European Commission, on 9 September 2026, adopted a Communication outlining a strategic vision for the EU's nine outermost regions, including French territories in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and South America, as well as Portuguese and Spanish regions in the Atlantic. The package introduces targeted adaptations to EU legislation in areas such as agriculture, fisheries, migration, and taxation, aligned with Article 349 TFEU. The strategy builds around four objectives: harnessing geostrategic potential, boosting competitiveness, improving resilience, and promoting social fairness. The regulatory package will be submitted to the Council and the European Parliament for consideration. The Commission plans ongoing structured dialogue and targeted support measures for these regions.
Press remarks by Executive Vice-President Fitto on the Outermost Regions Strategy
Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto presented the Commission’s new strategy for the outermost regions on 9 September 2026, referencing Article 349 TFEU as the legal basis for targeted adaptations. Fitto detailed the unique geographic, economic, and social conditions of these regions and the necessity of a place-based European policy. The strategy includes a regulatory package with specific measures on taxation, agriculture, fisheries, and migration. Fitto stressed the collaborative development process with Member States and regional stakeholders and highlighted that diversity across EU territories informs policy adaptation. The ongoing structured dialogue aims to ensure the initiative’s effective implementation.
Questions and answers on the European Innovation Act
The Commission published a Q&A on the proposed European Innovation Act (EIA) on 8 September 2026. The EIA aims to introduce common EU rules for research and development (R&D) procurement, facilitating cross-border collaboration and providing legal certainty. The Q&A clarifies that the EIA will not be mandatory for defence procurement but will include an EU preference rule requiring at least 50% of R&D activities to be performed within eligible countries. The Act includes a Competence Centre within the EUIPO to support IP-backed finance and commercialisation, and outlines voluntary frameworks for IP valuation and a digital matchmaking platform for intellectual property transactions.
Questions and answers on the EU Public Procurement Act
On 8 September 2026, the European Commission released a Q&A on the EU Public Procurement Act, a proposal to replace three existing procurement Directives with a single Regulation. The Act introduces a Europe-wide Digital Marketplace for procurement and sets the best price-quality ratio as the standard for contract awards. New measures aim to facilitate SME participation and allow more flexibility for public buyers, including clarified rules for direct awards and quality criteria. The Act sets out a common EU preference framework and integrates the concessions regime into the general procurement framework, while strengthening safeguards against fraud and corruption via digital monitoring tools.
What We're Reading This Week
- Macron rallies to save the movies, imperiled by free platforms and generative AI: President Macron launches initiatives to support French cinema amid challenges from streaming services and AI-driven content creation.
- European Commission pushes to simplify and 'Europeanize' public procurement: The European Commission proposes reforms to streamline public procurement and increase cross-border participation among EU member states.
