FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does the European Capital of Culture (ECC) mean?

The European Capital of Culture (ECC) is a European Union initiative that seeks to promote cultural diversity in Europe and highlight the common cultural heritage of its member countries.

The European Union launches a call six years in advance for cities from member countries (usually two) that will hold the title of European Capital of Culture that year. Cities from candidate countries, the European Economic Area, or the Creative Europe program may also apply.
Interested cities must submit a bid book that includes their cultural vision, strategic plan, citizen participation, expected impact, etc. A jury of independent experts (appointed by EU institutions and the corresponding country) evaluates the proposals and makes an initial shortlist. Shortlisted candidates must develop a second, more detailed dossier in this second phase leading up to the final selection. Finalist cities must present their complete project: cultural programming, funding, infrastructure, accessibility, sustainability, etc. Finally, the jury selects one winning city per country.
The international jury’s decision is validated by the Council of the EU. The designated city officially receives the title of European Capital of Culture for the corresponding year.
As a team, through inter-institutional coordination and community participation, and well in advance. In fact, the winning city has several years to prepare its cultural program (between four and six). o advance the realization of the candidacy’s purpose and strategy, an independent management structure (governance) is established, a sufficient budget is secured to deploy the cultural program (with the involvement of local, regional, national, and European governments), and the events and activities plan is finalized.
It’s the most anticipated year, but not the only one. It concentrates a large part of the impacts and actions, although the candidacy is prepared long in advance and its effects go far beyond the year of celebration. During the designated year, the city executes the planned cultural program, with international activities, local participation, and European visibility.
The purpose of the candidacy continues. It doesn’t stop or come to a standstill. Cities give continuity to their cultural project. The capital year is a stimulus to harmonize resources and wills to transform society through culture. Everything starts well before and ends long after. The important thing is not what is done during the candidacy, but its level of significance and what legacy it leaves for the future.