New legal basis for the European Capitals of Culture Action post 2033

The research team of the Chemnitz White Paper is honoured to notice that its recommendations are given full consideration for the future of the action and thanks the European Commission for its work. As clearly demonstrated by the consultations with the managers from 64 host cities, the ECoC should not function primarily as a platform for self-promotion.

This contribution drawson insights by the team of LOV2030 Leuven & Beyond European Capital of Culture 2030 from the bidding process, implementation, and long-term cultural development. It focuses on strengthening the European dimension, broadening territorial and international reach, enhancing capacity building and knowledge management, and improving governance and legacy planning.

1. Long-term programming and delivery capacity * The reference to delivery capacity is understandable insofar as it values the process as much as the final result. * At the same time, the idea that it is not possible to plan over a five-year horizon appears debatable.

Culture Next is the European network of European Capital of Culture candidate cities, current or former, awarded or not. Co-funded by the EU, it includes 47 cities from 22 countries, equally split between awarded, non-awarded, and current candidates. Culture Next advocates for an ECoC framework that ensures sustainable cultural impact for all participating cities. 1.

European Capitals of Culture after 2033 A long-term, process-based and transformative perspective Relevance and overall objectives of the European Capitals of Culture initiative The European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) initiative remains highly relevant and should continue well beyond 2033. However, its future relevance depends on a clearer recognition of what the initiative actually delivers at its best.

About Eurocities and European capitals of Culture (ECoCs) Founded in 1986, Eurocities brings together the local governments of more than 200 cities in 38 European countries, representing 130 million people. Eurocities provides a platform to share knowledge and ideas, to analyse common problems and to develop innovative solutions on all urban policies; these include culture, urban development, social inclusion…

I wish to highlight the following critical issues for the future of the ECoC: High Preparatory Costs: The investment in documentation and external consultancy is becoming a barrier to entry. Consultancy Influence: The perception that success requires hiring specific private firms undermines the meritocratic spirit of the program.

Including good health, wellbeing and resilience among the EU priorities to be addressed by ECoCs In point B. the call for evidence paper mentions that the ECOC legal basis initiative will be revised to better embed key EU priorities such as green, digital transitions, inclusion, youth engagement and accessibility.

The decision will set out the conditions for continuing the EU initiative for the European Capitals of Culture after 2033. The initiative aims to promote the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe by highlighting their common features. Its aim is to strengthen Europeans’ sense of belonging to a common cultural space, encouraging mutual understanding and intercultural dialogue.

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

CONSULTATION FOR THE ECOC ACTION 2020 - 2033 Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express my thoughts on the post-2033 ECoC Action. My contribution comprises two proposals: a) the necessity to include spatial planning in the ECoC evaluation criteria (architecture, urban design and city planning) and b) additional proposals for the ECoC evaluation criteria, so that to become more relevant and up to date with…

The selection process for applying for the European Capital of Culture is COMPLEX AND SHALL be a chance for small cities. Preparation is very complex and time-consuming and requires a very high level of human resources. In addition, the final choice of the candidate for a country is usually a choice that is politically charged and gives opportunities to cities that devote a lot of money to it.

Filed in Dutch · English published by the European Commission

Given the similarities of both initiatives (European Heritage Label and European Capitals of Culture), the EHL Bureau recommends a stronger synergy in order to maximise the EU impact over the European territory related to a stronger sense of belonging to the EU.

Selecting European Capitals of Culture requires that the candidate states first comply with the Parliament's resolution on "European historical awareness". The association for the restoration of the keep of Coucy le château, the most important medieval monument in Europe, has already made it known and provided proof that France at its highest level maintained in ruins, without any popular consultation, this central…