“In 2000, Kraków - the capital of Małopolska - was the European Capital of Culture, which really contributed to the development of this part of our region. That is why I am pleased with the planned increased budget for the Creative Europe programme", said ECR Member Łukasz Smółka, who also called for creation of an EU programme to finance European sports events.

During a debate with Commissioner Gabriel on the recovery of the cultural and creative sectors, Mr Smółka, Vice-Marshal of the Małopolskie Region, also announced that his region would host the European Games in 2023. In this regard, he urged the Commissioner “to consider the possibility of creating a programme dedicated to European sports events". For the Vice-Marshal, it would be an “opportunity to complement post-COVID activities" launched at the EU level in the area of specific support for the sporting activities of Małopolskie's inhabitants.

“So far, no instruments have been developed to enable direct financing of sports events of this scale - hence my appeal to the European Commission", he concluded.

The debate took place during the February plenary of the CoR.