Who 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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Countries
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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
Bielsko-Biała, on the horizon: registrations open for the 15th Culture Next Conference!
Bielsko-Biała are you ready for Culture Next? We’re excited to announce that registrations are now open for the second Culture Next conference of the year, hosted in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, from 15–17 October 2025, in partnership with the Urban Culture Institute…
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Stronger voices for a defining future: an insight from the Culture Next Conference #14 in Leeuwarden
The 14th edition of the Culture Next Conference brought nearly 100 participants from across Europe to Leeuwarden, Netherlands, making it one of the largest gatherings in the network’s history. Over two dynamic days, members, observers, youth representatives and city delegates…
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Are you ready? Open call for future Culture Next missions in your city
Culture Next is launching an Open Call for cities that are ready to host a Culture Next Mission, an opportunity to connect & collaborate in Europe and beyond the Culture Next network.
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