Structural funding Circus Decree 2026-2030: demand exceeds available resources
© Ronny Lemmens
Although an additional one million euros is being invested, there is a large discrepancy between the demand and needs from the field - which is in full development - and the available resources. Twenty-four organisations collectively applied for over €10.2 million in operating subsidies; ultimately, the Flemish Government awarded €5.94 million to 19 organisations. That is no less than 42% less than the requested amount . In other words: a large proportion of the applications were not (fully) granted.
Organization type | Structural funding received in 2025 | Requested structural funding for 2026-2030 | Structural funding awarded for 2026-2030 |
Circus creation spaces | € 1,936,672.15 | € 2,807,091.08 | € 2,001,000.00 |
Youth circuses | € 1,250,354.71 | € 2,527,295.33 | €1,755,000.00 |
Circus companies | €956,562.56 | € 3,631,917.76 | €1,540,000.00 |
Support centre (Circuscentrum) | €762,000.00 | €1,250,000.00 | €647,700.00 |
TOTAL | € 4,905,589.42 | € 10,216,304.17 | € 5,943,700.00 |
Organization type | Number of subsidized organizations in 2025 | Number of applicant organizations for 2026-2030 | Number of subsidized organizations in 2026-2030 |
Circus creation spaces | 4 | 5 | 5 |
Youth circuses | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Circus companies | 3 | 10 | 5 |
Support centre (Circuscentrum) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
TOTAL | 16 | 24 | 19 |
Circus creation spaces
Five circus creation spaces requested a total of €2.81 million, of which €2.00 million was awarded (29% less than requested). This awarded amount is slightly higher than in 2025 (+3%). This increase can be fully explained by the addition of one new creation space. The already subsidized circus creation spaces remain approximately at status quo or experience a slight reduction.
Youth circuses
Eight youth circuses submitted applications for a total of €2.53 million, of which €1.76 million was awarded (31% less than requested). The total budget for youth circuses increases by 40% compared to 2025. The field remains dynamic: two new youth circuses applied for the first time and are receiving support, while one youth circus ceased operations and another is switching to a circus creation space model. The already subsidized youth circuses will receive an average of 20% more in the upcoming policy period than in 2025.
Circus companies
Ten circus companies requested a total of €3.63 million and received €1.54 million (58% less than requested). The total budget increases by 61% compared to 2025. This increase is mainly explained by the expansion from three to five subsidized circus companies. The existing companies remain at status quo or show a slight decline.
The difference between the application and the decision is greatest among the circus companies: they receive only 42% of the requested amount, meaning that four positively assessed dossiers will not receive support. The late communication regarding this decision, which deviates from the committee's positive recommendation, presents these circus companies with major challenges.
Support centre (Circuscentrum)
The support centre requested €1.25 million and is receiving €647,700 (48% less than requested). The budget is also 15% below the 2025 amount. Moreover, further savings have been announced for 2027 regarding the entire 'superstructure' (of which Circuscentrum is a part).
The new funding numbers shows that the Flemish circus sector continues to develop and professionalize steadily, manifesting itself in a dynamic landscape of youth circuses, circus creation spaces, and circus companies. At the same time - unlike in the previous application round - a large gap between demand and available resources is clearly visible: in all categories, significantly less is being awarded than requested. The overview shows that, in general, there is a greater focus on strengthening the youth circuses (an average of +20%), and less on field actors focusing on artistic development, creation, and production. The already subsidized circus creation spaces and circus companies largely remain at their current level and must abandon their ambitions. The support centre is being allocated considerably fewer resources and will have to continue with a more limited team and budget in the coming policy period.
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