Latest EcocNews
Trenčín 2026, The Town Tower as the voice of the city
What are the residents of Trenčín worried about? What do they hope for? What experiences have shaped them, and what kind of future do they imagine for their city? These questions were at the heart of The Town Tower Tells…
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Go! 2025, The legacy lives on with Dag and Epic
Nova Gorica and Gorizia are still all dressed up, as elegant as ever, but in a shade somewhere between green and turquoise that is still clearly visible on the branded buses, in shop windows and on information pillars. In short,…
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Skopje 2028, Open call for National and International Projects
The Foundation “European Capital of Culture – Skopje 2028” invites artists, cultural organisations, public institutions, universities, creative professionals, civil society organisations, cultural operators, creative industries, community organisations and international partners to submit project proposals that will become part of the official cultural…
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Trenčín 2026, Glocal Equality and Hospitality (Invalidated Ideas?)
Glocal Equality and Hospitality (Invalidated Ideas?) is a major group exhibition opening on August 7, 2026, at the newly renovated County House (Župný dom) in Trenčín, Slovakia as part of the Trenčín 2026 – European Capital of Culture programme. Bringing…
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Skopje 2028, Open call for National and International experts
The Foundation “Skopje – European Capital of Culture 2028” is launching an Open Call for Expressions of Interest for the selection of independent national and international experts – evaluators, to establish the Register of Independent Experts – Evaluators of Skopje 2028. Selected…
Read moreWho we are
Members of the network are European cities, current or former candidates to the European Capital of Culture title.
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Mission
Our mission
Cities are where democracy, inclusiveness and innovation are produced, with culture being a facilitator of this entire ecosystem. More cities with cultural programmes for sustainability mean more power to address European challenges and opportunities;
The mission of the network is to support current and former European Capital of Culture candidate cities to implement culture-led urban development programmes and policies.
Meet our member cities
Members of the network are European cities, current or former candidates to the European Capital of Culture title.
Benefits of becoming a Member
Exchange of information and expertize specific for the needs
Free access to the Network’s capacity building programme for cultural cities
Technical and moral support to face the challenges specific to different phases of ECoC candidacy
Participation in specific programmes and grant application consortia
Participation and support in advocacy campaigns related to culture and urban development
The network facilitates European partnerships, mobility of creators and artworks, engagement of cities and citizens with European issues.
Latest News
Culture Next welcomes six new full members to the network
Culture Next is pleased to welcome six cities as new full members of the network: Victoria (Malta), Oviedo (Spain), Cáceres (Spain), Burgas (Bulgaria), Zalău (Romania) and Nijmegen (Netherlands).
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New policy report: Culture as Care
How can culture contribute to healthier, more connected and more resilient European cities? Culture Next has published Culture as Care: Participation, Health and Collective Well-Being in European Cities, a new policy report exploring the role of cultural participation in strengthening…
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(Additional) Open Call for Member Cities to host a Culture Next Thematic Working Groups
This is an open to received intentions to host Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) in 2027 and 2028 addressing the issues of Culture for the Planet and Culture for the Digital Transformation. Call launch date: 2 June 2026 Deadline for…
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