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The ECoC evidence base

The Archive

Forty years of European Capitals of Culture in their own words: what cities promised, what they did, and what the evaluations found.

documents
472

documents

cities
190

cities

evaluations
53

evaluations

bid books
182

bid books

1985–2031

title years covered

All shelvesEvaluations 53Monitoring and progress reports 1Bid books 182Selection and monitoring reports 111EU framework and official documents 27Strategies and action plans 5Research, guides and frameworks 33Shared by cities 1Sent in by members 59Published by cities 12
TypeBid book (pre-selection) 7Bid book (final selection) 12Monitoring panel report 2Ex-post evaluation 30Strategy 1Research 3Other 5
What the document types mean
Bid book (pre-selection)
A city's first application for the title, judged by the selection panel to make the shortlist.
Evidence of intent: what a city promised, not what it delivered.
Bid book (final selection)
A shortlisted city's full, final application for the title, with its programme, budget and plans.
Evidence of intent: what a city promised, not what it delivered.
Selection panel report
The EU expert panel's assessment of the bids in one competition, with its reasons and its recommendation.
Context: useful background, not a city's own evidence of what happened.
Monitoring panel report
The EU expert panel's report on a designated city's preparations before its title year, with its advice.
Context: useful background, not a city's own evidence of what happened.
Ex-post evaluation
An assessment, written after the title year or a programme, of what it actually achieved, usually by independent evaluators.
Evidence of outcome: what actually happened.
Monitoring or progress report
A city's own report on how its programme is going, written while it runs, with the figures it has tracked.
Evidence of outcome: what actually happened.
Strategy
A city's long-term plan or policy for culture, including legacy strategies and council decisions.
A plan: how a city meant to deliver and keep going.
Action plan
A concrete plan of what a city or organisation will do, by when and with what resources.
A plan: how a city meant to deliver and keep going.
Guide or toolkit
Practical how-to material that others can reuse: guides, toolkits, handbooks and templates.
Context: useful background, not a city's own evidence of what happened.
Research
Studies, frameworks and papers across one or more cities, written by researchers rather than by a city.
Context: useful background, not a city's own evidence of what happened.
Other
Anything else: news, memos, programme brochures and documents that fit no type above.
Context: useful background, not a city's own evidence of what happened.

60 documents for “Cultural programme”

Clear
Ask Encore: “Cultural programme”An answer from across the Archive, every claim cited to its document.

Found inside the documents

  • Programme Book of the Cultural Programme (2024, Bilingual) (Bad Ischl 2024)
Bad Ischl · 2024

GREEN The cultural landscape is an attraction, but the effects of tourism can still be felt today and the advancing cli- mate change poses a hard challenge to the alleged ab- undance of forests and water in the Salzkammergut re- gion.

  • Jonava 2022 — Pre-selection
    Jonava · 2022

    To what extent do you plan to develop links between your cultural programme and the cultural programme of other cities holding the European Capital of Culture title?

  • Valletta 2018 — Final Report
    Valletta · 2018

    …the early stages to delivery, the Foundation made a clear distinction between large events led by the Artistic Director and the rest of the programme managed by the programming team.

  • Leeuwarden 2018 — European Commission evaluation
    Leeuwarden · 2018

    …and that was more extensive compared to Malta’s cultural “baseline” offering in previous years. The cultural programme featured 168 projects involving nearly 500 events.

  • EC Ex-Post Evaluation — Tallinn, Turku
    Tallinn & Turku · 2011

    The cultural programme was complemented by an additional group of projects entitled "2011 personally".49 However, the themes that were identified during the planning phase were not later used for communication of the culture programme to…

  • Linz 2009 — Evaluation Report
    Linz · 2009

    Cultural, artistic and social projects – to promote the cultural and civic activities of residents in the culture of today‘s contemporary European society in order to create conditions for all to become authors and participants in the…

  • EC Ex-Post Evaluation — Guimarães, Maribor
    Guimarães & Maribor · 2012

    …at all 3 5 Don't know 8 Total respondents: 30 0% 20% 40% 60% Source: Ecorys survey 80% % 7 % 33 % 23 % 10 % 27 % 3.5 Effectiveness 3.5.1 Cultural and artistic content The focus of the cultural programme was on artistic creation in…

  • capitals-culture-2007-08-evaluation en

    Objectives pursued during the title year (2007) "External objectives" Present to Europe our city's cultural identity and diversity and promote the understanding and co- operation of our communities on a European scale Developing…

  • Pula 2020 — Pre-selection
    Pula · 2020

    Cultural Manager is responsible for capacity building with exchange and residency programmes for both artists and cultural workers. She/he works closely on the development and implementation of cultural projects with the Artistic…

  • Dubrovnik 2020 — Final selection
    Dubrovnik · 2020

    How will the events and activities that will constitute the cultural programme for the year be chosen? The cultural programme included in this bid book is being developed from the proposed concept and artistic vision.

  • Larissa 2021 — Pre-selection
    Larissa · 2021

    How will the cultural programme combine local cultural heritage and traditional art forms with new, innovative and experimental cultural expressions?

  • DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL renewing a Union action for the European Capitals of Culture for the years 2034 to 2047 and repealing Decision No 445/2014/EU
    Cluj-Napoca. Contributed by Cluj-Napoca and published to everyone.Cluj-Napoca · 2026

    The criteria for the assessment of application are as follows: (a) long-term strategy and legacy; (b) cultural and artistic content; (c) outreach, communication and citizens’ participation; (d) management and capacity to deliver.

  • San Sebastián 2016 — Evaluation Report
    San Sebastián · 2016

    Each bridge featured a cultural performance, with a range of disciplines represented. The events were organised by hundreds of performers and artists and witnessed by tens of thousands of people.

  • Corfu 2021 — Pre-selection
    Corfu · 2021

    …Gerald Durrell, literary events for writers to play with the work of Edward Lear, and a site specific event based on the work of Cervantes 44 cultural and artistic content | CORFU2021 artistic commissioning processes will need to involve…

  • Larnaka 2030
    Larnaka · 2030

    So, November 9th marks the start of the Closing of our 2030 Programme that concludes on December 10th, the International Human Rights Day. During this period we are presenting the projects of We Refugees and Europe in War Programmes.

  • EC Ex-Post Evaluation — 2015 (Mons & Plzeň)
    Mons & Plzeň · 2015

    The programme of festivals, installations and events in public spaces featured three key elements: i) large, open-air events, including the opening ceremony (which took place at 22 different sites across the city) and the closing ceremony…

  • EC Ex-Post Evaluation — 2016 (San Sebastián & Wrocław)
    San Sebastián & Wrocław · 2016

    Each bridge featured a cultural performance, with a range of disciplines represented. The events were organised by hundreds of performers and artists and witnessed by tens of thousands of people.

  • Córdoba 2016 — Pre-selection
    Córdoba · 2016

    II Structure of the programme for the event 1 What structure does the city intend to give to the year’s programme if it is designated “European capital of culture” How long does the programme last?

  • Córdoba 2016 — Final selection
    Córdoba · 2016

    All the papers presented will focus on the past, present and future of Córdoba as a centuries-old model of reli- gious and cultural coexistence. The Teatro Cómico Prin- cipal will be the setting for this event, which will include two…

  • Piran 2025 — Final selection
    Piran · 2025

    …bridging local, regional and international perspectives regarding sustainable development and identifying opportunities for new cultural policy and investment frameworks that create a lasting legacy in the city.

  • Rijeka 2020 — Evaluation Report
    Rijeka · 2020

    For the implementation of the Rijeka 2020 - European Capital of Culture project, it was crucially important to develop capacities within the cultural sector in order to enable the implementation of a rather comprehensive project, but also…

  • Maribor 2012 — Final Report
    Maribor · 2012
  • European Cities of Culture. Oct 1994
    Cross-city (Network of Cultural Cities of Europe) · 1994

    The literature programme included international literary meetings on the theme of nationalism and internationalism (with east/wost participationl and a symposium on body language and the process of translation which included a scene from…

  • Ghent2030: Toopen Together. Cultural recharge for a common future
    Gent. Contributed by Gent and published to everyone.Gent · 2024

    …have been held, for instance, during meetings of the Eurocities Culture Forum, UNESCO Creative Cities and Culture Next, and during visits by cultural delegations from the ECoC cities Lille, Aarhus, Leeuwarden, Chemnitz, Bad Ischl and…

  • Grant Programmes in the Field of Culture (2026)
    Brno. Contributed by Brno and published to everyone.Brno · 2026

    1 a) Grant titles The following grant programmes are announced for the cultural sector: 1. Grant programme for the provision of grants in the field of audiovisual Grants are provided in particular to support film shows, competitions…

  • Bielsko-Biała 2029
    Bielsko-Biała · 2029

    I I T R A D N A L A R U T L U C — 3 5 T N E T N O C C T S I I T R A D N A L A R U T L U C — 4 5 INVOLVEMENT OF LOCAL ARTISTS AND CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS From the very beginning, the appointed ECoC de- livery team has prioritised the…

  • Myerscough report — Athens 1985
    Athens · 1985

    …included improvements to 12 municipal cultural centres, undenaken after a full technical and financial audit of the venues in the Athens region. Four existing theatres received improvements, and new facilities were erectgd at Petra in a…

  • Nova Gorica 2025
    Nova Gorica · 2025

    Kobarid HOP-ON, HOP-OFF CULTURE: A marathon of cultural events with local artists and NGOs on sites, spread across the municipality and connected with a hop-on, hop-off bus.

  • Pula 2020 — Final selection
    Pula · 2020

    How has the city involved, or how does it plan to involve, local artists and cultural organisations in the conception and implementation of the cultural programme?

  • Caceres2031_CulturaViva_EN.pdf
    Cáceres. Contributed by Cáceres and published to everyone.

    Meeting Between Cáceres 2031 and Cultura Viva Cultural Managers Activity Type Institutional working meeting. Date 18 June 2026. Participating Organisations - Cáceres European Capital of Culture 2031 Consortium.

  • Strategy in Practice in Brno: Grants Powering Cultural and Creative Fields

    Brno

    Plan

    Strategy in Practice in Brno: Grants Powering Cultural and Creative Fields
    Brno. Contributed by Brno and published to everyone.Brno

    The latest survey wrapped up in 2025 – but engagement from cultural stakeholders was remarkably low (just 3 responses), making the results too limited to take further. The next survey is on track for 2027.

  • Shumen 2019 — Pre-selection
    Shumen · 2019

    The “Sea of Talents” mobile programme will also provide opportunity to artists from the country and Europe demonstrate their unconventional artistic performances in the region of Shumen, i.e.

  • Financial Support for Brno’s Independent Cultural Scene

    Brno

    2026 · Context

    Financial Support for Brno’s Independent Cultural Scene
    Brno. Contributed by Brno and published to everyone.Brno · 2026

    Application numbers also spike whenever a special grant programme is launched – for example in 2018, when the RE:PUBLIKA programme tied to the anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia was announced.

  • Liepāja 2027 — Final selection
    Liepāja · 2027

    …is a UNESCO partner and was accredited to provide advisory services to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

  • Novi Sad 2022 — Evaluation Report
    Novi Sad · 2022

    Increased number of cultural contents, public debates, conferences, and seminars that reflect problems in local communities. Increased two-way exchange and visits of local and international artists.

  • Lund 2014 — Final selection
    Lund · 2014

    …connection with ‘cultural cake’ being offered to Lund schools. The framework project has been developed within the structure of Lund’s Cultural Policy strategy, and will be implemented by the Kultur- och fritidsförvaltningen (the Culture…

  • OK Analyza brnenske kulturni sceny ENG 2025_WEB
    Brno. Contributed by Brno and published to everyone.Brno

    They can easily find buildings with a cultural and creative programme in a specific location on the map, and the contacts listed mean they can then contact specific selected entities about the rental conditions.

  • Essen / Ruhr 2010
    Essen / Ruhr · 2010

    Cross-border connections are made possible by art, music, cultural educa- tion, sport and personal exchanges. The success and durability of culture in the Ruhr Metropolis is not only crucially depen- dent on what happens on the stages of…

  • Broumov 2028 — Final selection
    Broumov · 2028

    Centre For Cultural Activities – is a key institution in the HKR which developed – together with our candi- dacy – the main bulk of Embracing Programmes such as Trails Angels, Educreation or Academy of Cultural Management.

  • Elefsina (Eleusis) 2021
    Elefsina (Eleusis) · 2021

    Thus, events from the "Ecoculture" Programme, dealing with the issue of the circular economy, take place in Symiaka and Magoula, while events from the "Demeter - Mother Earth" Programme, linked to food, take place in Pontiaka. 2.3.

  • Also matching the title, city or themes

    Nova 2025 — Monitoring Report

    Nova Gorica & Gorizia (GO! 2025) · 2025

    Chemnitz 2025

    Chemnitz · 2025

    Bodø 2024

    Bodø · 2024

    Galway 2020 — Monitoring Report

    Galway · 2020

    Galway 2020 — Evaluation Report

    Galway · 2020

    EC Ex-Post Evaluation — ALL ex-post evaluations -summary

    Cross-city (EU summary 2007-2019) · 2019

    EC Ex-Post Evaluation — 2019 (Matera & Plovdiv)

    Matera & Plovdiv · 2019

    EC Ex-Post Evaluation — Aarhus, Pafos

    Aarhus & Pafos · 2017

    Aarhus 2017

    Aarhus · 2017

    Wrocław 2016 — Monitoring Report

    Wrocław · 2016

    Plzeň 2015 — Evaluation Report

    Plzeň · 2015

    EC Ex-Post Evaluation — Umeå, Riga

    Umeå & Riga · 2014

    Marseille 2013

    Marseille-Provence · 2013

    Turku 2011 — Final Report

    Turku · 2011

    EC Ex-Post Evaluation — Essen Ruhr, Pécs, Istanbul

    Essen/Ruhr, Pécs, Istanbul · 2010

    Liverpool 2008 — Impact Assessment

    Liverpool · 2008

    Liverpool 2008 — Baseline Report

    Liverpool · 2008

    Liverpool 2008 — Baseline Report

    Liverpool · 2008

    Luxembourg City 2007 — Evaluation Report

    Luxembourg & Greater Region · 2007

    Palmer/Rae Associates — European Cities and Capitals of Culture 1995–2004, Part II (city reports)

    Cross-city (Palmer Report Pt II) · 2004