This strategic document commits the Institut français and its two supervisory ministries to a shared roadmap, aimed at strengthening France's cultural influence internationally in a profoundly changing global context.

The Contract of Objectives and Performance defines the major strategic orientations, geographical priorities, operational objectives and evaluation indicators of the Institut français' action. This new agreement, covering the period 2025-2027, is in line with France's commitments in terms of cultural diplomacy and influence. It aims to adapt the Institut's missions to major contemporary issues, strengthen the agility of its operations and consolidate its role as a pivotal operator of external cultural action.

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Four key priorities structure the Contract of Objectives and Performance (COP) 2025-2027

• Supporting and leading the French cultural network abroad
  The Institut français will support the cultural departments of French embassies, Instituts français and Alliances Françaises in implementing the cultural priorities defined by the French government. This includes support for digital transformation, the professionalization of teams and innovation in programming.
• Accompanying French creators and cultural and creative industries internationally
  In close collaboration with cultural sectors and French establishments, the Institut will promote the dissemination of artistic creation and the development of French cultural and creative industries internationally, particularly in major cultural events and through mobility and support schemes.
• Strengthening dialogue between cultures, languages and societies
  Through its commitment to the debate of ideas, intellectual cooperation, the Francophonie and the strengthening of cultural ecosystems in the South - particularly in Africa -, the Institut français reaffirms the importance of cultural diversity and pluralism as essential levers of France's cultural influence internationally, in a world undergoing profound change.
• Strengthening the establishment's performance, agility and responsibility
  The COP sets objectives for modernizing governance, ecological transition, social responsibility (gender equality, diversity) and diversification of resources.

Three geographical priorities

The Institut français works all over the world, as does the French cultural network abroad. It will pay particular attention to three key zones:

• Africa, in particular to support new partnerships and promote the continent's contemporary creation;
• Europe, in particular to strengthen dialogue between youth and civil society within the framework of the European Political Community (EPC);

• Indopacific, in particular to develop strategic cultural actions in this fast-growing region.

Les Ateliers de l'Institut français 2025

This signing took place during the Ateliers de l'Institut français (AIF), a key moment for dialogue with the French cultural network abroad and with French partners in international cultural cooperation.

This year, they brought together over 1,000 participants, including more than 450 members of the cultural network and 300 cultural professionals in France.

This year's event, entitled "Keeping on course!" focused on the impact of global upheavals on international cultural action. "Garder le cap!", in the geopolitical context we are experiencing, is a way of affirming our loyalty to our democratic values, to the importance of culture and intercultural dialogue for our societies, and to the promotion of French interests.

If the course is maintained, the context (marked by the fragmentation of the world, upheavals linked to artificial intelligence, the need for increased budgetary accountability etc.) makes it necessary to think about our actions, their objectives and the way we carry them out in a renewed way.