Considering the possibility of merging Creative Europe with other programs that support European values, rights and justice, the European Commission decided to continue Creative Europe as a stand-alone program, increasing its budget by 17%.

The only program that focuses exclusively on cultural and creative activities and enterprises, it falls under the title "Cohesion and Values" of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027.
The existing program focuses on the economic dimension of the cultural sector and its contribution to job creation and economic growth. Some stakeholders have expressed concern about such a strong economic approach to culture.

According to the proposed program, the economic dimension is one axis that belongs to the social dimension and the contribution of culture to international relations.
The proposed framework for cultural policy therefore emphasizes not only the economic dimension of the cultural and creative sector, but also the role of culture in social cohesion and its relationship to creative and artistic freedom and diversity, and media freedom and pluralism.
Both Parliament and the Council agreed on the proposal, and the triage negotiations began in autumn 2019 with the aim of reaching an agreement before the first reading of the Council.

More at the link: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2018)628229