The EU Backoffice
Although European cultural policy is officially the responsibility of Member States, EU institutions do play a relevant, yet little-known role in shaping our cultural and media ecosystems.
The EU Backoffice, our new podcast series produced in cooperation with Reset! Network, unravels how the EU cultural policy process really works, bringing you beyond the headlines and into the corridors where decisions are taken.
Through expert interviews and debates with insiders, artists, and activists, our host Matéo Vigné takes you on a deep dive into the world of EU cultural policy, to shed light on who shapes the agenda, how the institutions work, and what challenges they face.
The EU Backoffice brings you a new episode every third month, starting October 11th, 2025. It airs on:
EUradio - main media partner
The series is also available on Reset! network's dedicated Soundcloud channel.
Cultural and media policy in the European Union is the result of a complex set of institutions, processes, and interactions. Understanding how these pieces fit together is essential.
This episode offers a structured overview of the main actors involved, from the European Commission to the Parliament and Council, as well as the agencies and programmes that translate policy into action. It explores how responsibilities are divided, how decisions are shaped and negotiated, and how different bodies interact within the broader EU framework.
By setting out this foundation, the interview and debate provide the shared reference point needed to follow the series’ upcoming explorations of European cultural and media policy in greater depth.
With: Benjamin Feyen (EU Policy Expert), Georg Haeusler (Director of Creativity, Culture, and Sport at the European Commission – DG EAC), Olga Perez (Policy Advisor – European Parliament).
Listen here