The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has appointed Csaba Borboly, Vice-President of Harghita County Council (Romania), as rapporteur for the opinion on the new AgoraEU programme, which will run from 2028 to 2034. This programme will bring together the current Creative Europe and Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programmes into a single, strengthened initiative.
In his first comments following the appointment, Csaba Borboly said: “This programme represents a modern European ‘agora’ – in the spirit of the ancient Athenian square – where citizens, young people, and communities together shape Europe’s future. I will work to ensure that these resources reach Europe’s regions, including rural and peripheral areas such as Harghita County. Investing in culture, media and youth participation is investing in Europe’s unity.”
The rapporteur stressed that AgoraEU will only deliver on its promise if it does not remain symbolic, but becomes a practical instrument for citizens – through the financing of debate forums, festivals, youth scholarships, digital platforms, and innovative media projects.
Background
On 30 September 2025, the European Commission presented a Proposal for a Regulation establishing the AgoraEU programme for the period 2028–2034. With a budget of €8.58 billion, the programme is structured under three strands:
- Culture, Media and Democracy
- Citizens, Rights and Values
AgoraEU merges the strands of the current Creative Europe programme and the CERV programme (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values).
The programme appears under the priority of Competitiveness, Prosperity and Security and is designed to promote shared values such as democracy, equality and the rule of law, while supporting Europe’s cultural diversity, its audio-visual and creative sectors, media freedom, and the involvement of civil society. Importantly, AgoraEU is the first EU programme entirely dedicated to democracy and citizen participation, with funding for citizens’ assemblies, public consultations and civic education.
Timetable
- Exchange of views in SEDEC Commission: 28 November 2025
- Adoption by SEDEC Commission: 13 February 2026
- Adoption in CoR Plenary session: 6–7 May 2026