Action for democracy in Europe and with Europe are urgent and require permanent engagement. In my key note speech on “Shaping Cultural Policies in Europe for Free and Democratic Societies” I explore related concepts and propose a set of concrete (policy) recommendations. What is and can be the role of the EU for democracy in Europe and with international partners? How can the culture eco-system bring forward democratic processes with a feeling of belonging and trust of large strata of populations? Why a democratic Europe is of added value for international (cultural) relations? And how (EU) policymakers should engage for functioning culture eco-systems and for the maintenance of a most important open, safe and democratic culture spaces? A special thank for the invitation to this introductory lecture to Prof Julius Heinecke, Universität Hildesheim; Susanne Keuchel & Noemi Kaufmann, Stiftung Genshagen; Odila Triebel, institut für auslandsbeziehungen, it was a great pleasure to have had this important exchange at a crucial moment for decision-making related to future EU policies together.