The book sector calls for proper funding for authors, book professionals and literature and reading promotion in the next MFF, looking especially at the funding of Creative Europe
The underestimated ressource
The books you have in your hands or on your screen are the result of the efforts of a rich and diverse sector. It all starts with authors (EWC) whose creativity and hard labour gives birth to works that make readers wiser, more knowledgeable and more empathic towards each other. Publishers (FEP) serve creation with multiple talents and make the authors’ works available to the world. These works are written in many different languages (and we have a lot in Europe); literary translators (CEATL), with the support of national literature agencies (ENLIT), both financially and in terms of visibility, give readers the chance to discover new worlds. To be offered this chance, one has to start as early as possible to be literate. Reading promotion agencies (EURead) work with many audiences to encourage this precious talent: reading. Bookshops (EIBF) and libraries (EBLIDA), together with bookfairs, are the windows through which readers, old as well as young, have access to the wonderful world of books. The joint efforts of all these professionals are necessary to the wellbeing of democratic societies by fostering reading populations.
Books and reading are fundamental
Reading plays a fundamental role in preserving democracies by fostering critical thinking, informed citizenship, and resistance to disinformation and propaganda. Access to books, especially diverse, high-quality literature—empowers individuals to question, reflect, and engage meaningfully in public life. It supports competitiveness by cultivating skills essential for innovation and adaptation, such as creative problem-solving, empathy, and collaboration. In a rapidly changing world, strong reading abilities are key to developing human capital: they underpin lifelong learning, workforce readiness, and the capacity to participate in a knowledge-based economy. Ultimately, reading is not just a personal skill, it is a societal investment with far-reaching implications for resilience, equity, and sustainable progress.
The underestimated value of books and in the book market
Over one million writers and translators in Europe, writing in all European languages, create close to more than 600,000 new books, which are published every year across the continent and generate a total value estimated at more than 35 billion euros; making the book sector the largest creative industry in Europe. With 25,000 bookshops and 65,000 libraries (with over 800 million visits per annum) across Europe, readers have access to this wealth of books. Translation is key for the circulation of literature, ENLIT Translation programme grants support to over 4,000 books to the tune of more than 9.7 million euros. There are also other national programmes awarding outbound translation grants outside the ENLIT network. Yet, despite the efforts of reading promoters, more than 75 million Europeans cannot properly read and write. Moreover, about 12 million families across Europe profit from book gifting programmes, which is less than 8% across all families in need.
CEATL (European Council of Literary Translators’ Associations) is an international non-profit organisation created in 1993 as a platform where literary translators’ associations from different European countries could exchange views and information and join forces to improve status and working conditions of translators. Today it is the largest organisation of literary translators in Europe with 36 member associations from 28 countries, representing some 10,000 individual literary translators.
EBLIDA – European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations brings together library associations, organisations and institutions from across Europe. Our mission is to strengthen the role of library associations and organizations at the European level and to promote the role and importance of libraries in regard to the institutions of the European Union and other pan-European organisations.
EIBF – the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) is a non-commercial European and international umbrella organisation representing national booksellers associations and booksellers across Europe and worldwide. Our mission is to represent our members and their interests on a global platform, as well as to provide a forum for cooperation and foster the exchange of best practices.
ENLIT is a network of non-profit organisations investing in literary translation support programmes to enhance the international visibility of European literatures. ENLIT strives for a dynamic, diverse and easily accessible literary landscape across Europe and beyond, focusing on the entire book value chain and supporting other stakeholders. With their 30 members, administering 28 award translation grants, each year, ENLIT grants support over 4000 books to the tune of more than 9.7 million euros.
EURead is a network of 35 organisations from 26 European countries, working together since 2000 to promote reading and improve literacy. Its members include non-profit organisations, professional associations (such as publishers and booksellers), libraries, government agencies, and ministries from Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. EURead members apply practical, research-based solutions to reduce functional illiteracy and its long-term effects.
EWC – European Writers’ Council is the world’s largest federation representing solely authors from the book sector and constituted by 53 national professional writers’ and literary translators’ associations from 34 countries, from European Union Member States, the EEA countries Iceland and Norway, as well as Belarus, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. EWC members comprise over 250.000 professional authors, writing and publishing in 35 languages.
FEP – Federation of European Publishers represents 31 national associations of books, learned journals and educational content in all formats from 30 European countries. FEP members are based in the European Union, the European Economic Area and in the United Kingdom. FEP is the champion of publishing at EU level and supports members with expertise exchanges.
