Along with the MEDIA and CULTURE sub-programmes, Creative Europe has integrated a Cross-Sectoral Strand.  As specified in the Regulations, the cross-sectoral strand's purpose is for the transnational exchange of experiences and knowledge in relation to new business models and management, as well as peer-learning activities. It also supports networking between cultural and creative organisations and those responsible for public policies regarding development of the cultural and creative sectors, with the creation of a digital network where appropriate. It also seeks to facilitate access to funding for SMEs and organisations operating in the cultural and creative sectors.

Regulation no. No 1295/13, setting the Creative Europe Programme (from 2014-2020)

• Funding for cross-sectoral projects (studies and lines of funding to support refugee integration projects, among others);
  
  
• Funding of the Creative Europe Desks (in Portugal: the Creative Europe Information Centre).
  
  
• The Guarantee Fund provides bank financing to the value of €121 million for SMEs and organisations in the cultural and creative sectors;
  
  
  • As part of its plan to facilitate access to funding for SMEs and organisations in the cultural and creative sectors as part of the Creative Europe Programme 2014-2020 (cross-sectoral strand), the European Commission (in co-operation with the European Investment Fund) launched the Financial Guarantee Facility for the cultural and creative sectors to help encourage financial institutions to introduce a portfolio of loans for SMEs operating in these sectors. In Portugal, the bank Caixa Geral de Depósitos joined the Financial Guarantee Facility and in 2019 launched the Caixa Invest Cultura Criativa, product for SMEs and organisations in the cultural and creative sectors.
    
    • For more information on how the mechanism operates in other countries (ie the banks, loans, entities, etc.): https://www.eif.org/what_we_do/guarantees/cultural_creative_sectors_guarantee_facility/financial_intermediaries

More information about the various initiatives within the framework of the  cross-sectoral strand can be found here : https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/creative-europe/cross-sector_en