Latest EcocNews
Oviedo 2031 bid promotes “amabilidá”, a collective manifesto
The Oviedo CUP joins the bid for Oviedo to become European Capital of Culture 2031 with an initiative that goes beyond sport and reinforces one of the project’s core values: “amabilidá” (kindness) as a collective principle. The 418 teams taking…
Read more
Budweis 2028, (Perma)Culture Open Call
České Budějovice (Budweis) is preparing for 2028, when it will become the European Capital of Culture. They are looking for cultural projects that bring innovation, appeal to the general public, respond to European challenges, and are based on the local…
Read more
Chemnitz 2025, Josephine Hage will be the new director
At its extraordinary meeting on 25 March, the Supervisory Board of Kulturhauptstadt Europas Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH unanimously appointed Josephine Hage as the new Managing Director with effect from 1 October 2026. She will thus join the two current Managing Directors,…
Read more
Turin 2033, Artists and citizens are writing the bid dossier
In 2033, following the successful experience of Matera 2019, it will once again be Italy’s turn to designate the European Capital of Culture. The call for applications from the Italian Ministry of Culture has not yet been published and, in…
Read more
Matera 2026: the eyes of Europe on the Mediterranean
At the opening ceremony of Matera, Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2026, EcocNews interviewed Ms Dubravka ŠUICA, the European Union’s Commissioner for the Mediterranean. Below is the full text of her speech during the Opening. It is a great…
Read moreWho we are
Members of the network are European cities, current or former candidates to the European Capital of Culture title.
- 0
Events organised by the community
- 0
Cities
- 0
Countries
- 0
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 blog posts
Fresh opportunities and new steps in our collaboration with EU-Japan Fest! 📣
Culture Next welcomes the extension of the EU-Japan Fest Mobility Support Programme to its member cities, opening new opportunities for cultural professionals to engage, collaborate, and connect with Japan starting April 2026.
Read more
Fresh opportunities and new steps in our collaboration with EU-Japan Fest!
Culture Next welcomes the extension of the EU-Japan Fest Mobility Support Programme to its member cities, opening new opportunities for cultural professionals to engage, collaborate, and connect with Japan starting April 2026.
Read more
Our man in Brazil. Culture Next Strengthens International Partnerships at MICBR 2025
Culture Next was represented by Carlos Martins (foto, top left) at the 2025 edition of the Brazilian Creative Industries Market (MICBR), held from December 3–7 in Fortaleza, Brazil, one of the largest edition in the event’s history. Bringing together 615…
Read more