The latest Culture Next Conference, hosted in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, brought together representatives from cities, cultural networks, and experts from our network and beyond (Australia & Japan) to discuss how culture contributes to wellbeing, how international collaboration can be strengthened, and how cities can work together to advance culture-driven development.
Among the international guests were prof. Christina Davies from Perth, Australia, and Jiro Kogi, Deputy Secretary-General of the EU–Japan Fest Japan Committee, marking the first-ever participation from Japan at a Culture Next event.
Prof. Davies is the Director of the Centre for Arts, Mental Health and Wellbeing in Western Australia, with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of arts and mental health. Her award-winning studies explore how cultural participation improves wellbeing, bridging the worlds of art, research, and public health.
Their presence reflected Culture Next’s growing connection with partners from other continents and its expanding role as a leading network in the European Capitals of Culture (EcoC) ecosystem.
The conference also laid the groundwork for the first Culture Next Summit, which will take place on 3 November 2025 at the European Parliament in Brussels.
The Culture Next Summit
The Summit will bring together members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from countries and cities represented in the Culture Next network, alongside major European cultural organisations such as United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), Culture Action Europe, and the European Festivals Association.
Discussions will focus on three key topics:
The inclusion of the Sustainable Development Goal for Culture in the next United Nations Development Agenda and the Culture Next position on this matter;
The European Capital of Culture (EcoC) reform, and how cities can be better supported in building long-term legacy programmes;
The Culture Compass, a shared tool for cultural development and cooperation across European cities.
Through this event, Culture Next aims to consolidate its role as a leading voice in the EcoC community, advocating for culture as a central element in sustainable urban growth.
Culture and Wellbeing in Focus
The two-day conference in Bielsko-Biała explored the role of culture in community wellbeing through a series of panels and field experiences.
The first day included discussions hosted in the City Hall, followed by a field session on Szyndzielnia Mountain, where participants attended an emotional performance by a community choir that included people facing mental health challenges. The programme continued with sessions on forest bathing, meditation, and singing for wellbeing, encouraging reflection on the connection between creativity and mental health.
On the second day, Jiro Kogi presented the work of the EU–Japan Fest and opportunities for collaboration between Japanese and European cultural institutions. Participants also learned about the new Culture Next mobility platform, missions for member cities, and the plans for the Culture Next Summit in Brussels.
At the closing session, Bielsko-Biała officially handed over the loom to Larnaka, the city that will host the next Culture Next meeting.
Culture Next: 47 members, from 22 countries
The Culture Next Network now includes 47 member cities from 22 countries, of which 28 are full members and 19 are observing members.
16 have been, are, or will be European Capitals of Culture
18 were candidate cities
13 are currently preparing their bids
Among the 47 members, 41 cities are from EU countries, while 6 come from outside the EU: Novi Sad (Serbia), Leeds and Bradford (UK), Nikšić (Montenegro), Odesa and Rivne (Ukraine).
Together, the member cities represent an estimated 11.4 million inhabitants, a population larger than that of Hungary, Austria, or Croatia.
The Culture Next Conference in Bielsko-Biała marked an important step in the network’s evolution. With new international partnerships, new tools for collaboration, and the upcoming Summit in Brussels, Culture Next continues to strengthen its position as a platform that connects cities, promotes cultural wellbeing, and advocates for the role of culture in sustainable development across Europe.
