Cultural diplomacy and influence — External action of the State · Budget

Agency for French Education Abroad, higher education and research, cultural cooperation and promotion of the French language…: the 2nd largest of the 3 parts of “External action of the State”.

611M€

voted for 2026 in the State budget (budget act)

< 1% of the State budget voted for 2026

Year by year

Spent in 2024770M€

Spent in 2025625M€

Voted for 2026611M€

What it pays for, planned in the draft budget for 2025

Agency for French Education Abroad65%441M€

Higher education and research16%108M€

Cultural cooperation and promotion of the French language11%76M€

Network support7%45M€

Economic diplomacy and attractiveness< 1%5M€

Sustainable development goals< 1%2M€

Source: 2024 actual spending (budget outturn act) ↗, 2025 actual spending (budget outturn act) ↗, 2026 budget act as passed ↗, State budget bill for 2025 (data.economie.gouv.fr) ↗.