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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) 8Bid book (final selection) 13Monitoring panel report 2Ex-post evaluation 30Research 3Other 4 Any type
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.

4 documents of type other for “Cultural programme”

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

Found inside the documents

  • 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.

  • 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…

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

    …regular Culture Brno workshops on various topics related to information on tools for supporting culture and creativity in Brno, as well as programmes supporting fund - raising skills or focusing on accessibility in culture and creativity.

  • 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

    These grant programmes cover audiovisual arts; theatre, performance and circus; music; club activities; cultural, educational and leisure activities; literature; arts and crafts and folk traditions; dance; fine art, photography, design and…