French international cultural cooperation is implemented through a broad range of European, multilateral and bilateral programmes supporting artistic mobility, heritage preservation, cultural diversity, professional exchanges and the international circulation of cultural and creative industries. Over the past decade, these programmes have increasingly integrated digital innovation, sustainability objectives and international co-production mechanisms.
European cultural programmes and cooperation frameworks
France actively participates in the cultural programmes and policy frameworks of the European Union and the Council of Europe. French cultural actors are among the main beneficiaries of the European Union’s Creative Europe programme, which supports cooperation projects, audiovisual production, cultural networks, mobility schemes, literary translation and innovation in the cultural and creative sectors. French institutions also participate extensively in Horizon Europe research programmes relating to cultural heritage, digital transformation and creative industries.
France supports the development of European cultural mobility and co-production through a variety of cooperation frameworks, including the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC), European museum and heritage networks, and partnerships involving theatres, festivals and cultural institutions. France also remains strongly engaged in European audiovisual cooperation through the MEDIA strand of Creative Europe and through Eurimages, the Council of Europe fund supporting cinema co-production and distribution.
In addition, France actively participates in initiatives promoting shared European heritage and intercultural dialogue, including the European Heritage Label, the European Heritage Days and the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe as well as Herein.
UNESCO and multilateral cooperation programmes
As host country of UNESCO, France maintains a strong commitment to international cultural governance and heritage cooperation. The France–UNESCO Cooperation Agreement supports projects relating to heritage preservation, museum development, safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage and professional training in numerous partner countries, particularly in Africa and the Mediterranean region.
French expertise is regularly mobilised through international heritage cooperation programmes, archaeological missions, museum partnerships and training initiatives. France also contributes to emergency interventions for endangered heritage and actively supports the implementation of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which remains a key reference for French cultural diplomacy.
Programmes supporting cultural and creative industries
The international development of cultural and creative industries has become an increasingly important component of French cultural cooperation. A wide range of programmes support the international circulation of cinema, audiovisual production, music, publishing, video games, digital creation and immersive arts.
These initiatives facilitate translation, co-production, professional networking, participation in international markets and festivals, export development and access to foreign audiences. In recent years, greater attention has been devoted to digital dissemination and the international competitiveness of French cultural and creative industries.
Artistic mobility and residency programmes
Artist mobility remains a central instrument of French international cultural cooperation. France supports numerous residency schemes, exchange programmes and professional mobility initiatives for artists, researchers and cultural professionals.
Major residency programmes are implemented through institutions such as the Villa Medici in Rome, Villa Kujoyama in Kyoto and the Cité internationale des arts in Paris. Increasingly, residency schemes incorporate interdisciplinary approaches, digital creation, environmental sustainability and collaborative international projects.
Cultural seasons and bilateral programmes
Large-scale bilateral cultural seasons remain among the most visible instruments of French cultural diplomacy. Coordinated primarily by the Institut français in partnership with foreign governments and cultural institutions, these programmes combine artistic, educational, scientific and societal cooperation through multidisciplinary programming.
Since the late 1980s, France has organised more than fifty bilateral and “crossed” cultural seasons with partner countries across all continents. Recent examples include the France–Korea Year (2015–2016), the France–Colombia Year (2017), the France–Romania Season (2018–2019), Africa2020 (2020–2021), the France–Portugal Season (2022) and the France–Brazil Season (2025).
Recent cultural seasons increasingly extend beyond traditional artistic programming to include youth engagement, higher education, scientific cooperation, ecological transition, digital innovation, entrepreneurship and creative industries. They also favour reciprocal and co-constructed approaches aimed at fostering long-term partnerships and mutual visibility.
Decentralised and territorial cooperation programmes
French territorial authorities play an increasingly important role in international cultural cooperation through decentralised cooperation agreements, European cooperation projects and city-to-city partnerships. Regions, departments and municipalities support artistic exchanges, mobility programmes, heritage projects and cultural development initiatives with partner territories abroad.
Cross-border cooperation programmes financed by the European Union have further strengthened cultural collaboration between French border regions and neighbouring countries. International cultural cooperation is also increasingly integrated into local development, attractiveness and territorial diplomacy strategies.
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Key trends in French international cultural cooperation |
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Recent developments in French international cultural cooperation highlight several major trends: · increasing support for artistic and professional mobility; · growing integration of digital technologies and online dissemination; · stronger emphasis on ecological transition and sustainable cultural cooperation; · expansion of international support for cultural and creative industries; · development of reciprocal and co-produced cooperation models; · greater involvement of territorial authorities and local cultural ecosystems. |
Beyond these institutional programmes, a significant part of French international cultural cooperation is also driven by professional networks, foundations, universities, cultural associations and non-governmental organisations, which contribute directly to artistic exchange, professional mobility and long-term international partnerships.
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