Latest EcocNews
Lviv 2030, The competition is over, but Responsibility to Be lives on
In October 2025, the results of the ECoC 2030 competition for cities from non-EU countries were announced — it emerged that Lviv had not been awarded the title. The city’s team took a step back: they needed time to come…
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Oulu 2026, The Sounds of Universe in the Cathedral
A new sound installation, which was unveiled in Oulu Cathedral on Easter Sunday, transforms over 4,000 mysterious cosmic signals into an immersive spatial audio experience. Created by the Anglo-German artist and creative technologist Andrew Melchior in collaboration with Kiyoshi Masui…
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EuJapan Fest and Culture Next: Open Call for mobility support
EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee has begun accepting applications for this year’s (April–March 2027) travel support program, “Mobility Support.” The program supports travel for research, meetings, and the creation of creative networks related to collaborative projects between Japan and Europe, especially…
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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…
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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 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
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.
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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…
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