Image credits: EDN Network Meeting 2025, Lavanderia a Vapore, photo by Andrea Macchia

In 2025, EDN deepened its role as a collective voice for dance in Europe. Through consultation, dialogue, research, and policy engagement, we continued to build recognition for dance as a vital part of Europe’s cultural fabric and as a practice that connects, inspires, and empowers. Here’s how our advocacy work unfolded this year:

Network Consultation: Listening and Aligning

We began the year by bringing the network together to reflect on shared challenges and priorities. The discussions informed our advocacy focus for 2025, offering insight into what the sector needs now and what it hopes for next.

Webinar Series & Toolkit: Tools for Advocacy

Our 2025 webinar series created space to exchange strategies and perspectives on speaking up for dance. Alongside, the new toolkit turned collective knowledge into a practical resource designed to help artists and organisations strengthen their advocacy work with clarity and confidence.

Moving Together: Dance, Care & Cultural Rights

This year’s Think-in publication delved into how dance intersects with care, freedom, cultural rights, and social well-being. Drawing on shared reflections and new research, Moving Together encourages readers to consider the role of dance in shaping more inclusive and compassionate cultural futures.

EU Cultural Compass: Making Dance Visible in Public Policy

Through the Cultural Compass consultation, EDN contributed directly to EU policy dialogue, emphasising the impact of dance across communities and borders. Our message was clear: dance is essential to Europe’s cultural ecosystem and deserves meaningful, sustainable support.

Online Conference 2025: The Future in Motion

We closed the year with an online conference that looked at where dance is heading and how we can shape that future together. Through conversations on artistic practice, sector sustainability, and the shifting realities of working in dance today, the event offered inspiration, exchange, and a sense of shared purpose moving forward.

Looking Ahead

2025 was shaped by collaboration, reflection, and the collective drive to amplify dance in public life. We are grateful to everyone who contributed time, insight, creativity, and commitment. The launch of Dance Matters Europe adds new momentum, opening space for deeper cooperation and setting the ground for stronger partnerships across the continent.

As we move into a new year, our advocacy continues. Grounded in the belief that dance brings people together, sparks change, and helps us imagine better futures.