Multilingualism and translation - Working Group of EU Member States’ experts

The 2019-2022 Council Work Plan for Culture included the topic of multilingualism and translation, for policy collaboration through a working group of EU Member States’ experts under the Open Method of Coordination (OMC). The group’s target output was as follows Experts will exchange best practices on supporting translation in the book and publishing sector, as well as in other cultural and creative sectors, and recommend concrete measures under the Creative Europe Programme to promote linguistic diversity and the circulation of works. The mandate of the working group (link above), further described its role as follows: “In order to encourage multilingualism and translation and to promote better circulation of European works, the OMC Group will discuss how EU and national support schemes and public funding may support the book and publishing sector at each step of the value chain, from the original author to readers across borders, in Europe and beyond with a special focus on translation from and to lesser-used languages. The OMC Group will discuss in particular how the translation sector should be reinforced to cover the needs of the book and publishing sector but also other cultural and creative sectors (visual and performing arts, the audiovisual sector and the music sector) as well as the general public/audience in order to contribute to the circulation of cultural works. The OMC Group will recommend concrete measures, which may be implemented under the 2021-2027 Creative Europe programme. Experts will exchange on national policies and best practices in international book promotion; training and professionalisation of literary translators; and funding mechanisms to support translation, publication, distribution and promotion of European books and other works within the EU and beyond. Discussions will include lessons learnt from the book and publishing sector, as well as other cultural sectors such as visual and performing arts, audiovisual and music sectors, in order to build synergies, when possible. Based on the findings resulting from the activities mentioned above, the OMC Group will prepare a report providing at least the following chapters: the role of public policies and funding schemes at national and European level in helping 1) the circulation of translated books and 2) the development of a vibrant translation sector able to cover all cultural sectors. It should include an analysis of best practices as well as recommendations addressed to the relevant public entities, and also to professionals and other concerned stakeholders.