Latest EcocNews
A Historic Agreement: Europe Puts Culture First
On the sidelines of the European Council some days ago in Brussels, the President of the Republic of Cyprus as the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the Presidents of the European Parliament and the European…
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Caceres 2031 celebrates the European Music Day
Nearly one hundred people participated this Sunday in the celebration of European Music Day organized by Cáceres 2031 at the Ateneo de Cáceres. The event brought together people of all ages for a free cultural program that combined music, education,…
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Oulu 2026, Tar: where the sound becomes a creative language
TAR stands for Time, Ahnung, and Rajaton: three words, three languages, and still growing – not towards a genre, a scene, or a style, but towards the element itself. Sound. Sound as a technology, as a physical phenomenon – acoustic…
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Leeuwarden, A New Artistic Director for Arcadia 2028
Arcadia has appointed Muriël Besemer as the Artistic Director of Arcadia 2028. Besemer is a theatre maker, educator and cultural programmer who has worked with young people for more than thirty years. In the coming years, she will work alongside…
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Alma Salem: “Make the circle go round again”
At the Culture Next conference held in Larnaca, Alma Salem’s presentation attracted considerable interest, owing to the depth of her thinking, the breadth of her narrative, and the relevance of her observations on the Mediterranean and the role of culture…
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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Events organised by the community
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Cities
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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
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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Larnaka, common ground for over 160 participants at the 16th Culture Next Conference
LARNAKA, 12th of May. The 16th Culture Next Conference brought 168 participants to Larnaka to discuss the future of artists and cultural ecosystems across Europe. The event focused on empowering artists, solidarity, care and culture as a safe space in…
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