(Additional) Open Call for Member Cities to host a Culture Next Thematic Working Groups

 

TOPIC A. Culture for the planet: unleashing the power of culture

 

Focus of this TWG is on how ECoC can build greener and more sustainable candidacies and legacies.  It also addresses the NEB and how it can allow for the development of better, more sustainable and inclusive practices in ECoC cities and in CCS in general.

 

The TWG’s process will be launched during the 4th conference (Fall 2026) and its results showcased during the 5th conference  (Spring 2027).

 

Topic B. Culture for the Digital Transformation

 

Focus of this TWG is on how ECoC can embrace and take advantage of the new technologies, making the digital transformation work for the sectors and for the people. 

 

The TWG’s process will be launched during the 5th conference (Spring 2027) and its results showcased during the 6th conference (Fall 2027).

 

Responsibilities and benefits of a Thematic Working Group Host

 

Members who apply to be a host and are given the responsibility of managing a Thematic Working Group must be available to mobilize staff to manage the TWG they apply for. 

 

Members can apply to organise a TWG and a Conference on the same or a different topic. In case the TWG and a Conference hosting members are different, members who manage the TWG and the Conference on the same topic must work together to ensure the correct thematic flow and ensure that the TWG deliverables contribute to the holding of the conference. 

 

Each TWG builds on the same format:

• The TWG hosts invites (in a format to be defined) a minimum of 10 professionals involved in developing the TWG and 30 professionals attending the online event. 
• Working session: Online working sessions and physical meetings of the TWG take place in formats and numbers to be defined with the CN board and executive team; 
• Public event: One online event presents the final report of the TWG; 
• TWG Report: The TWG presents a written report on the topic during the conference dedicated to the specific topic as described in the table, and when appropriate, the conclusion and policy recommendation from the report are integrated into the main policy deliverables; 
• Dissemination: 2 podcasts made with high quality production are made by the member responsible and published on the Culture Next website.

 

Full members hosting a TWG are responsible to pay Culture Next the following amounts:

• 3.000,00€ / year, referring to the full member fee;
• 2.500,00€ / one-time, referring to the TWG Management. 

 

Full members who host a TWG Management are entitled to receive from Culture Next:

• All benefits related to being full members.
• 8,000.00€ / one-time, to help support the TWG management; 

 

A specific contract between the Cluj Cultural Centre and the responsible member will be established for the transfer of these funds.

Selection Criteria for hosting TWGs

 

What is your proposed concept for the Thematic Working Group and how does this serve the overall topic defined for it? (25% of the total points, 999 characters)

 

TWG3: Culture for the Planet – Focus on greener and more sustainable ECoC candidacies and legacies, including the role of the New European Bauhaus. (Fall 2026 – Spring 2027)

 

TWG4: Culture for the Digital transformation – Focus on how ECoC can use new technologies to make digital transformation work for the sectors and for the people. (Spring 2027 – Fall 2027)

 

What is your motivation to host this Thematic Working Group and how does this serve your cultural agenda? (25% of the total points, 999 characters)

 

We focus on the public dimension and the public cultural policies that the city is putting into practice and intends to put in practice.

 

What added value do you think the Thematic Working Group hosted by you would bring to the work of Culture Next in perspective? (25% of the total points, 999 characters)

 

What is your capacity to deliver this Thematic Working Group? What are your human and intellectual resources that you can mobilize for implementing it in practice? (25% of the total points, 999 characters)

 

Information and clarifications

 

CN’s executive team is available to provide further details to members which need more clarifications.

• Andras Farkas – andras@culturenext.eu – Policy Coordinator (for TWG) / andras@culturenext.eu, +40757055591 (WhatsApp)

 

If you get selected to host a conference, you need to sign the full member contract before hosting the conference. The decisions at the announcement are final and cannot be contested.

 

Deadline for applications: 9 June 2026, 16:59 Central European Summer Time (CEST).

 

IMPORTANT. Applications are open to Full Members of Culture Next.