Latest EcocNews
Oulu 2026, Music, lights, exhibitions and more
The European Capital of Culture brings a wide range of events and experiences to Oulu and Northern Finland: international artists, festival on sea ice, ice swimming. Polar Bear Pitching is an internationally renowned startup event where entrepreneurs present their business ideas…
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Jerez and Victoria together to defend European values
Jerez and Rabat Città Victoria share the desire and commitment to become European Capital of Culture in 2031. From today, they are officially sister cities. In this way, they solemnly express their intention to strengthen the cultural, collaborative, and friendly…
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Cáceres 2031, a flash mob for the city
The Cáceres 2031 bid held a large-scale, intergenerational participatory event this Sunday, bringing together more than 200 people in the Plaza Mayor of Cáceres, consolidating the project as a space for real citizen involvement on the path to becoming the…
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Cáceres 2031, Open Call for Mediator Artists
Cáceres 2031, city candidate for European Capital of Culture, seeks Mediator Artists to Work with Young People in the Generation 31 Program. The call is open to creators from different disciplines who are able to design one-hour artistic sessions primarily…
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Oulu 2026, Sami Art: The voice of the land
Attention to Sami culture is one of the main objectives of the Oulu 2026 program and was one of the things that most impressed foreigners who visited Oulu in the first days of its activity as European Capital 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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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
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…
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16.Culture Next Conference, in Larnaka: exploring sustainable governance models for cultural ecosystems, capacity building, and international networking
Culture Next (CN) Network together with Larnaka 2030 European Capital of Culture, member of the Culture Next network, will host the 16th Culture Next Conference from 6–8 May 2026 under the theme “Culture for CCS – Empowering the Cultural &…
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Open Call for Member Cities to Host the Next Conferences and Thematic Working Groups
Culture Next is happy to announce an open call for its full member cities to host Conferences and Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) in 2027 and 2028. This opportunity invites cities to take center stage in fostering cultural dialogue, innovation, and…
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