Cluster 2 "Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society" aims to meet EU goals and priorities on enhancing democratic governance and citizens participation, on the safeguarding and promotion of cultural heritage and to respond to and shape multifaceted social, economic, technological and cultural transformations.

Cluster 2 Work Programme 2026-2027

The latest work programme is available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal here.

Impact Areas and Destinations 2026-2027

The work programme  for Cluster 2 has three destinations (key areas) below which contribute to four expected impact areas of the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027:

1. Innovative Research on Democracy and Governance
2. Innovative Research on the European Cultural Heritage and the Cultural and Creative Industries
3. Innovative Research on Social and Economic Transformations

Intervention Areas

Democracy and Governance

Cultural Heritage

Social and Economic Transformations

Social Sciences and Humanities Integration

Social sciences and humanities (SSH) are indispensable for better understanding and navigating societal needs and opportunities for societal benefits. The meaningful integration of SSH expertise and know-how in projects provides a great opportunity to effectively address complex global challenges, serve the well-being of EU citizens and communities, and align with the EU's social policy objectives. This includes in particular large-scale transformations such as adjusting to climate change, addressing public health preparedness, and making the transition to digital technologies.

Effective SSH integration is considered an important requirement for fostering better science and increased societal and economic impact of research and innovation. As such, the integration of SSH throughout Horizon Europe, including missions and partnerships, is a key cross-cutting priority. 

SSH integration is also embedded in the Horizon Europe Strategic Plans (2025-2027), where SSH are a key constituent of research and innovation, especially in regard to the twin green and digital transitions. SSH integration is covered by the monitoring and reporting obligations in Horizon Europe. Therefore, opportunities for SSH researchers also exist outside Cluster 2.

Culture Compass for Europe

The European Commission has adopted the Culture Compass for Europe, a set of key directions to guide EU policy making for the culture and creative sectors in an era of rapid change. The four key directions of the Culture Compass for Europe are: 

1. Uphold and strengthen European values and cultural rights
2. Empower artists and cultural professionals and support people
3. Draw on culture and cultural heritage to become more competitive, resilient and cohesive
4. Champion international cultural relations

European Democracy Shield

The European Commission has presented the European Democracy Shield, setting out a series of concrete measures to empower, protect, and promote strong and resilient democracies across the EU. An open civic space is at the core of our democracies, and this is why the European Commission has also put forward an EU Strategy for Civil Society, for stronger engagement, protection and support to civil society organisations who play essential roles in our societies. Both initiatives had been outlined in the Commission’s political guidelines for 2024-2029.

The European Democracy Shield and the EU Strategy for Civil Society present measures to protect the key pillars of our democratic systems: free people, free and fair elections, free and independent media, a vibrant civil society and strong democratic institutions.

Mission Areas

Accomplishing missions will require a cross-cutting approach, drawing on research and innovation activities defined not only through individual Clusters, but across Horizon Europe and beyond. Research and innovation activities within this Cluster thus have the potential to support missions in all of the five mission areas:

1. Adaptation to Climate Change: support at least 150 European regions and communities to become climate resilient by 2030
2. Cancer: working with Europe's Beating Cancer Plan to improve the lives of more than 3 million people by 2030 through prevention, cure and solutions to live longer and better
3. Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030
4. 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030
5. A Soil Deal for Europe: 100 living labs and lighthouses to lead the transition towards healthy soils by 2030

The Missions implementation plans form the base for future activities. The plans have been published (Sept 2021) and are available here.

The Missions Work Programme 2026-2027 is available here.

European Commission Priority Areas 2024-2029

The 7 Commission priorities for 2024-2029

• Sustainable prosperity and competitiveness
• A new era for European defense and security
• Supporting people and strengthening societies
• Sustaining quality of life
• Protecting democracy and upholding values
• A global Europe
• Delivering together and preparing the Union for the future.