On 8 December, the Architects’ Council of Europe participated in the EU High-Level Roundtable on Artists’ Working Conditions, held at the invitation of the European Commission and with the participation of Executive Vice-President Roxana Minzatu and Commissioner Glenn Micallef.
During the meeting, ACE President Carl Bäckstrand presented key findings from the ACE 2024 Sector Study, funded by Creative Europe, highlighting the realities faced by Europe’s 580,000 architects. The study points to several persistent challenges within the profession:
- A 22% gender pay gap across the EU, with women sole practitioners among the most affected;
- Income stagnation despite increasing responsibilities;
- Ongoing public procurement barriers, limiting opportunities for young architects and small practices;
- Concerns about software market conditions and the rapid emergence of AI tools;
- Growing issues related to work–life balance and well-being, particularly among younger professionals.
During the Roundtable, the European Commission also announced the development of an EU Artists Charter under the Culture Compass for Europe initiative. This forthcoming Charter will define key principles, guidance, and commitments aimed at ensuring fair and sustainable working conditions across the cultural and creative sectors.
ACE remains committed to addressing these challenges and to advocating for fairer, more sustainable, and future-oriented working conditions for architects across Europe.
