Transforming Europe: the power of culture in shaping a stronger, safer, and more resilient future

This article explores the strategic role of culture in shaping a stronger, safer,and more resilient European Union. Moving beyond a narrow understanding of cultureas tradition or heritage, it examines how cultural engagement fosters democraticvalues, social cohesion, and collective identity. The research aims to explore cultureas a strategic asset, assess the impact of EU cultural programs on civic engagementand resilience, illustrate these dynamics through a case study of the Republic ofMoldova, and provide actionable policy recommendations. Methodologically, itadopts a qualitative and interdisciplinary approach, combining analysis of EU policydocuments, scholarly literature, and case study material. Programs such as Erasmus+,Creative Europe, and EU4Culture are examined as tools for promoting interculturaldialogue, countering disinformation, and preventing marginalization. The findingsshow that integrating culture into strategic planning enhances community mobilizationand strengthens the EU’s capacity to respond to crises.