Dance Matters Europe
CARCAÇA by Marco da Silva Ferreira © Cláudia Crespo
Professional dance deserves recognition in European cultural policy
Dance Festivals Network Europe has joined forces with EDN and Aerowaves to make contemporary dance visible in EU cultural policy. With the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028 – 2034 negotiations, now is the moment to amplify our collective voice.
What is MFF?
The MFF is EU’s long-term budget, which determines the level of support available for culture, mobility and the arts across Europe for several years. Ensuring that culture, performing arts and dance are visible in the upcoming budget negotiations means securing recognition, resources and sustainable opportunities for artists, organisations and audiences alike.
What’s The Plan?
Together, we’ll launch a coordinated campaign – #DanceMattersEurope – across our digital channels, advocacy actions and key European meetings and events to advocate for the value of dance in society and its need for sustained public investment.
Add Your Voice
We invite partners, organisations and artists from across the dance scene in Europe to add your voice: share the initiative, post your stories and use #DanceMattersEurope to show that dance matters in Europe’s cultural future.
What More Can You Do?
You can:
Support arts and culture in the next EU budget by endorsing Culture Action Europe’s Ask, Pay, Trust campaign. This is where the cultural sector unites to put arts and culture at the heart of changemaking.
Complete the MFF survey by 25 November 2025, where the European Commission is gathering public feedback on its proposal.
Reach out to Members of the European Parliament by 1 December 2025 to share recommendations on the future EU budget.
About The Partners
Aerowaves is a hub for dance discovery. Its network of partners in 34 countries enables emerging dance artists working in Europe to bring brand new dance to brand new audiences. Its mission is to identify the most promising new work by emerging dance artists and promote it through cross-border performances; to contribute to the development of quality dance writing and criticism through the Springback Academy and the Springback Magazine; to develop a new generation of curators and presenters through the Startup Forum, and to nurture broadcasters through the Podcast Academy. Aerowaves supports the next generation of professionals in dance.
Dance Festivals Network Europe champions the unique and intrinsic value of dance in society. As a dynamic, project-driven network of dance festivals, it fosters partnerships that elevate the visibility of dance on both national and transnational levels. The network showcases dance’s power to connect and communicate across language and cultural boundaries, facilitating collaboration between sectors and encouraging cross-disciplinary experimentation and growth.
European Dance Development Network – EDN is a network of dance development organisations advocating for dedicated dance infrastructure across Europe. With 55 members in 29 countries in Europe, the network serves as a hub, mediator and international connector. The network informs policy work, contributes to research, and facilitates knowledge sharing among dance organisations and their partners. As a member of the Performing Arts Coalition and Culture Networks Coordination Group, EDN represents the dance sector in Europe and advocates on its behalf.