5th: Klaipeda-Plunge-Neringa (Lithuania), 2019

The Conference

What structures carry on the legacy of the ECoC planning?

Each meeting takes on a challenge which we explore through working sessions, networking and membership activities, as well as a programme dedicated to understanding and learning from the local context.

For the meeting in Lithuania, we aim to look at various examples of institutional or organisational structures which take the legacy of the ECoC candidacy after the bidding process – either for winning cities, as well as cities which haven’t been selected.

Cities from the network will present their case studies, reflecting the diversity of scenarios which can be put in place and challenges that local organisations face after the bidding process. We will also extend our overview with various other examples from Europe, looking at what works and what doesn’t in terms of structural legacy of the ECoC candidacy.

The meeting will also include a public event where guests will bring their expertise to explore the topic of the meeting. Among the guests is Jordi Pardo, whose keynote speech ‘Culture, driver of change’ will talk about how arts, culture and knowledge can be drivers of change, improving citizens’ wellbeing, boosting the economy and induce innovation, creating more attractiveness and competitiveness. This requires new approaches, shared visions, methodologies, commitment and agreement.

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?

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Member 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