14th Culture Next Conference, 2025
Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
8 – 10 July, 2025
The Conference
The 14th Culture Next conference is focused on the theme “Cultural Participation” and gathers representatives from 50 European cities and their young representatives (aged 18–27), together with local artists and cultural organizations from Leeuwarden.
The conference, disguised as this edition’s Cultural Camp, offers an exciting and packed agenda featuring keynote speeches, presentations, and workshops centered around Cultural Participation with a special focus on youth at a European level.
Participants, alongside their chosen youth representatives, will collaborate and exchange insights, working towards shaping effective strategies for successful international cooperation and fostering meaningful cultural dialogues across borders.
The agenda also includes dedicated matchmaking and networking opportunities for all attendees, between both international and local stakeholders. In parallel with the conference, Arcadia, Leeuwarden’s ECoC legacy program, is in full swing with 100 days of artistic and cultural programming. At the heart of both the program and Leeuwarden is Bouwurk, a vibrant community-built oasis, which will be this edition’s hub. The participants are invited to drop in during their free time for a new experience.
The general conference programme is as follows:
8th of July is the pre-meetings day, and the agenda includes management meetings and a further step în the development of the Culture Next initiative to evaluate the impact of culture on the SDGs. In the evening we have the Official Reception.
The conference officially starts on 9th of July, a day open to the general public.
The official program ends on 10th of July, with a schedule centred around network-related sessions, therapy sessions and conversations.
Culture Next
Culture Next is an informal, friendly and relaxed network dedicated to mutual support and collaboration between European cities which are current or former candidates for the European Capital of Culture title, awarded or not.
Seven years after its founding în Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Culture Next involves around 40 cities on the continent. În 2021 the network received a grant from the Creative Europe programme of the European Commission to scale-up Culture Next and improve its capacity to work with more European cities.
Interested to become a member?
Register nowMember Cities
Our members are cities or organizations representing various cities: former and future title holders, cities which continued their cultural programmes even without being selected aș ECoCs and cities which intend to do this.
Many of our members represent cities which are current candidates, interested în developing European connection and sustainable cultural programmes which can be implemented independently of the jury decision.
Registrations Closed
Accomodation
Accommodation
The organization will ensure the following:
For Culture Next Full Member Cities: 2 nights hotel accommodation for 2 people in single rooms will be covered. We recommend each member representing a city to be accompanied by a young representative (aged 18–27) from their city.
For Culture Next Observing Member Cities and non-member cities: There is no obligation to stay at any of the recommended hotels, but if you’re willing to do so, you just need to fill the registration and let us know your travel dates. We will book it for you and let you know how to handle the payment.
For extra nights (anyone): If you stay at any of the recommended hotels for the extra nights, then we will take care of the arrangements, and you can pay for the extra nights at the hotel. If you decide to stay at some other hotel, please book directly with the hotel of your choice so you can make the necessary payment arrangements. The deadline for communicating to us the information about extra nights is the deadline for the registration.
For the SGD Thing workshop participants (only applicable to Culture Next members who will be part of this project): 1-night hotel (7th of July) accommodation in a single room for 1 person/city.
Fees
Fees
- Non-member cities have to pay a conference fee of 300 euro per person.
- Culture Next Observing Member Cities do not have to pay the conference fee.
- Culture Next Full Member Cities do not have to pay the conference fee.
- The public day of the conference (9th of July) is access free for all local participants.
Excited to join us?
Register nowConference hotels
Additional Hotel Recommendations
Official Reception
Bouwurk, Oldehoofsterkerkhof
Conference
Bouwurk, Oldehoofsterkerkhof
Parties & Performances
TBC
Visits
TBC
Travel to Leeuwarden
We recommend you to book the planes as soon as possible for cheaper ticket prices
Schiphol Amsterdam Airport: approx. 2 hrs by train, train station is below the airport, tickets can be purchased at location or online.
Eindhoven Airport: approx 3 hrs by train, shuttle buses from airport to central station, tickets can be purchased at location or online.
Language
English is widely spoken in all areas of the Netherlands.
The conference will be hosted in English.
Leeuwarden hosts Fries, Dutch, and English speakers.
Time Zone in The Netherlands
CET- Central European Time
Emergency Number
112
Currency
Euro. Payment by card is widely accepted
Taxi
Taxis can be ordered by phone.
We recommend that you check rental bikes and scooters, Leeuwarden is very bike friendly.
Walking is also recommended as all venues for the conference are in the central area, including the accommodation.
Provisional Agenda
Still subject to change
Day 1 | Pre-meetings
8th of July
This day is dedicated to internal meetings of the Culture Next Management (Board and Executive Team) and the SDG Thing working group.
Welcome Coffee
SDG Thing Cities & Management Team
@Arcadia's Office, Zuiderplein 4, 8911 AJ Leeuwarden
Opening Remarks
Opening remarks for the day, together with a debate on the direction of The SDG Thing.
@Arcadia's Office, Zuiderplein 4, 8911 AJ Leeuwarden
SDG Thing Lab / Management Team Meeting
Management Team – Operational working time.
SDG Thing Lab – Workshop.
@Arcadia's Office, Zuiderplein 4, 8911 AJ Leeuwarden
Lunch
@Arcadia's office kitchen
SDG Thing Lab / Management Team Meeting
Management Team – Operational working time.
SDG Thing Lab – Workshop.
@Arcadia's Office, Zuiderplein 4, 8911 AJ Leeuwarden
Closing Remarks
SDG Thing Cities & Management Team closing remarks.
@Arcadia's Office, Zuiderplein 4, 8911 AJ Leeuwarden
Bouwurk tour
@Bouwurk, Oldehoofsterkerkhof, 8911 JA Leeuwarden
Official Reception - Drinks & Dinner
Welcome words from:
- Ștefan Teișanu, Secretary General Culture Next
- Sjoerd Bootsma, Creative Director Arcadia
Moderators: András Farkas, PONT Group, Executive Team Culture Next & Bianka Machová, Budweis 2028
@Restaurant Roast, Nieuwestad 63, 8911 CK Leeuwarden
Day 2 | Public day
9th of July
This day is dedicated to the big conversations about culture in our cities: How can Cultural Participation grow in our cities? How can youth be more involved in cultural initiatives?
Morning activity: Yoga
Begin the conference with an energising start by joining an early morning yoga session in the White Box of Bouwurk, a chance to stretch, breathe, and connect before the start.
Welcome Speeches & Introductions
Welcome words from:
- Ștefan Teișanu, Secretary General Culture Next
- Sjoerd Bootsma, Creative Director Arcadia
Roll Call of the Culture Next member cities and other participants;
State of the Network;
Moderators: András Farkas, PONT Group, Executive Team Culture Next & Bianka Machová, Budweis 2028
@Bouwurk, Oldehoofsterkerkhof, 8911 JA Leeuwarden
Coffee Break
@Bouwurk, Oldehoofsterkerkhof, 8911 JA Leeuwarden
Keynote Speaker: Lateesha Verwey - Engaging teenagers in your cultural institution - the do’s & don’ts
Lateesha Verwey is a curator, moderator and alumna of the youth program Blikopeners of the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. She has a background in Art History and worked for several museums. Currently she is involved at the International Documentary Festival and the Dutch Resistance Museum focusing on outreach and education. Lateesha is committed to making different perspectives visible and advocates for the influence of young voices within the cultural sector.
@Bouwurk, Oldehoofsterkerkhof, 8911 JA Leeuwarden
City Presentations: Youth integration in cultural matters across Europe
In this edition, young representatives take the stage to present good practices and concrete examples of youth engagement in the cultural sector at the local level. It’s a moment to gain inspiration and insight into the value of intergenerational collaboration. Showcased initiatives include youth-led projects, advisory councils, and cross-generational partnerships.
@Bouwurk, Oldehoofsterkerkhof, 8911 JA Leeuwarden
Mobilities Match Making
Session dedicated to match making full member cities for mobilities.
! This session is only for full members !
@Bouwurk, Oldehoofsterkerkhof, 8911 JA Leeuwarden
Meeting point for busses
We meet at Hotel Post Plaza to take the bus towards a new location.
@Hotel Post Plaza
Driving to Het Lage Noorden
Developing European Cultural Participation focus on Youth Program Part 1
To lay the groundwork for youth participation and integration in the cultural field, both professionally and personally, this unconventional workshop will foster dialogue and collaboration among participants of all ages. Set in the green surroundings of Friesland, the activity offers a relaxed yet dynamic environment for meaningful exchange.
@Het Lage Noorden
Dinner
@Het Lage Noorden
Busses back to Leeuwarden
The night is young
Day 3 | Network day
10th of July
This day is accessible only to Culture Next member cities, and the conversations focus on issues related to Cultural Participation for Youth and to internal Culture Next affairs. The day will have two tracks, one for member cities representatives that participate in the internal network’s affairs and one for youth representatives that will continue the workshop from the first day.
EYC Ghent: Youth Cultural Participation in Ghent as European Youth Capital in 2024 and Beyond by Youness Iken
As European Youth Capital 2024, Ghent stands out as an inspiring example of youth participation in cultural affairs. Youness, vice-chair of the youth panel behind the program’s development, will share their approach and reflect on its impact on both the team and the young people of Ghent.
Open Dialogue: Youth inclusion
Mediated by Nynke Bruinsma, programme secretary Arcadia and project leader EYC, this open dialogue will begin with Ghent’s presentation and invite all participants to reflect on and discuss the importance of professional involvement in cultural matters across borders.
FOR CITIES: Therapy Sessions
Talking groups for networking, sharing and support: bidding cities, awarded cities, not awarded cities, legacy cities
FOR CITIES: Coffee Break
@Kanselarij, Turfmarkt 11, 8911 KS Leeuwarden
FOR CITIES: Next on Culture Next
Updates on the network’s future activities, thematic working groups, mobilities, conferences, membership, decision making.
@Kanselarij, Turfmarkt 11, 8911 KS Leeuwarden
FOR YOUTH REPRESENTATIVES: Worksession - Developing European Youth Program Part 2
The second part of the workshop hands the lead to young professionals, building on the insights gathered during the earlier session. Together with local youth that helped to shape Leeuwarden’s bid book for the EYC title for 2028 and participants, they will further develop the ideas, adding their own perspectives and experiences in a more focused, collaborative setting.
@Bouwurk, Oldehoofsterkerkhof, 8911 JA Leeuwarden
Lunch
@Saray Turks Restaurant (Tweebaksmarkt 40, 8911 KX Leeuwarden)
