European Capitals of Culture

The European Capitals of Culture is one of the most successful and well-known European initiatives. Every year, cities selected as European Capitals of Culture provide living proof of the richness and diversity of European cultures, their common features, as well as the beneficial effects of intelligent cultural investment on the development of cities. Started in 1985, the initiative has become one of the European Union's most prestigious and visible initiatives, reaching millions of citizens directly. At the same time, the process for cities to win the Title has become increasingly competitive and challenging in order to ensure that the event leaves a long lasting impact. This is why it is very important that potential candidate cities be well prepared to cope with such a demanding process.

The conference will explore the key features of the European Capitals of Culture, governance and budget issues, as well as the question of ensuring long-term effects in three different panels moderated by Chris Torch, Senior Associate – INTERCULT/Sweden. This will provide an opportunity to learn from the experience of 17 past, present and future Capitals, as well as a former and present member of the selection and monitoring panel. In addition, the Commission's new proposal for the scheme as of 2020, which was adopted in July 2012, will also be presented on this occasion and there will be an opportunity for questions and answers.

The European Capitals of Culture conference will be succeeded by a conference on 16 and 17 October focussing on audience development in the cultural sector. "European Audiences: 2020 and beyond" will also take place at The Egg, Brussels. You will find more information on this event here.

The draft programme [574 KB]