Karel Bartak (Czech Republic) is currently the Head of the Creative Europe Coordination Unit within the Directorate General for Education and Culture at the European Commission, which includes the responsibility for European awards, including the EUPL, and other activities like the European Capitals of Culture.

He started his career with the Czech News Agency and has worked in various media, also working as a correspondent in Moscow and Paris. He then became Chief Correspondent of the Czech News Agency in Brussels, where he was also a reporter for various other media.

He joined the European Commission in 2006 as Head of Unit for Youth Policy within the Directorate General for Education and Culture; between 2007-2013 he was in charge of the communication department.