Latest EcocNews
Lucania Film Festival: Dialogue, Peace and Culture to move beyond guilt
Telling reality — especially the reality at the margins — and giving space to the voices of the invisible in order to better understand the complexity of the present and anticipate future changes: this is the vocation of the Lucania…
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The worlds of European and Japanese culture reunite
Next Wednesday July 15th in Tokyo, "Meet Up ECoC! 2026 One-to-One Sessions," organized by the EU Japan Fest Committee, will take place. This is the second year that this important meeting has taken place between representatives of the European Capitals…
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Matera / Tetouan 2026, The first events on the calendar
Following the successful launch of the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue initiative in Alexandria and Tirana in 2025, Matera (Italy) and Tétouan (Morocco) have been designated as the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue for 2026. Building on the…
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ECoC Echo: Why the Legacy? The Answers in a Video
Why every future European Capital of Culture needs a legacy plan before the title year even starts. A new video, produced within the European network ECoC Echo, brings together nine former, current and future European Capitals of Culture to answer…
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Culture Next welcomes five new full members to the network
Culture Next is pleased to welcome five cities as new full members of the network: Victoria (Malta), Oviedo (Spain), Burgas (Bulgaria), Zalău (Romania) and Nijmegen (Netherlands). The decision follows the open call addressed to Culture Next observing members and to cities…
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 five new full members to the network
Culture Next is pleased to welcome five cities as new full members of the network: Victoria (Malta), Oviedo (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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