A folyamatosan átalakuló Európában a Culture Next összehozza azokat a városokat, amelyek hisznek abban, hogy a kultúra közösségeket formál, tartós változást inspirál, és olyan örökségeket hoz létre, amelyek túlmutatnak egy cím határain. A 2017-ben alapított hálózat ma 19 ország 34 városát egyesíti egy közös küldetésben: hogy a kulturális törekvéseket fenntartható városi valósággá alakítsa.
In a constantly evolving Europe, Culture Next brings together cities that believe in the power of culture to shape communities, inspire sustainable change, and create legacies that transcend titles. Founded in 2017, the network now unites 35 cities across 19 countries, all driven by a shared mission: to turn cultural aspirations into sustainable urban realities.
Dedicated to cities that have been candidates for the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) title - whether successful or not - Culture Next is more than a collaborative network. It is a framework for action, where ideas, experiences, and resources are shared to redefine urban development through culture.
"Every city has a unique cultural story, and our role is to bring these stories together, to learn from one another, and to create a future where culture is at the heart of urban development," says Ștefan Teișanu, Executive Director of the network.
From supporting cities in implementing ECoC programs to building sustainable strategies and facilitating knowledge exchange, Culture Next has become a key reference point for cultural collaboration in Europe.
"Culture has the power to bring people together, overcoming borders, conflicts, and differences of opinion. Culture Next creates a shared space where cities exchange knowledge and experiences, inspiring valuable collaborations and building bridges between communities across Europe," says Immie Jonkman, board member of Culture Next and a key architect of cultural legacies in Leeuwarden, the 2018 European Capital of Culture.
Notable Achievements: Conferences, Research, and Mobility
In recent years, Culture Next has organized impactful conferences in cities such as Aveiro, Elefsina, Belfast, and Leeuwarden, fostering dialogues on cultural policies, ECoC legacy, and international collaboration. These activities were made possible through European Union’s Creative Europe Program, which enabled the transition of Culture Next from an informal network to a structured framework where meaningful initiatives take place:
Aveiro, Portugal (2022): Representatives from 26 cities across 16 European countries contributed to shaping the network's future, strengthening partnerships with other networks, policymakers, and cultural actors.
Elefsina, Greece (2023): Hosted within an active ECoC program, the conference brought together 28 member cities to share experiences on successful ECoC bids (Trenčín, Oulu), program implementation (Elefsina, Leeds), and legacy-building organizations (Leeuwarden, Galway).
Belfast, Northern Ireland (2023): 20 member cities exchanged ideas and projects, focusing on future collaborations and local case studies, such as the revitalization of industrial heritage at Portview Trade Centre.
Leeuwarden, Netherlands (2023): 53 participants from 27 cities explored the implementation of Polyloop, an innovative tool for measuring culture’s impact on sustainable development while engaging in sessions on financing cultural legacy programs.
Oulu, Finland (2024): Over 100 representatives from 25 cities gathered for an intensive conference to discuss the network's 2024 agenda, including SDGs, Thematic Working Groups, and the Mobility Program. The event highlighted "Cultural Climate Change" from Oulu's 2026 ECoC bid and facilitated meetings with local cultural entrepreneurs, fostering connections and future initiatives.
Cluj-Napoca, Romania (2024): Representatives from 50 European cities convened to explore the transformation of culture into the 18th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and the reform of the ECoC program. The conference featured panel discussions, meetings with local artists, cultural tours, and events showcasing the connections between culture, well-being, and resilience.
Connecting Cities Through Culture: The Mobility Programme and Thematic Working Groups
Beyond conferences and collaborative initiatives, Culture Next launched the Mobility Programme, an innovative initiative for cultural professionals across member cities. This program fosters carefully curated partnerships, providing a platform for the exchange of ideas, experiences, and applied solutions. Through transnational cooperation, cultural professionals gain real opportunities for learning and development, strengthening host organizations’ capacity and facilitating innovative cultural projects.
With a strong emphasis on sustainability, open access, and gender equality, the program promotes responsible solutions, including environmentally friendly travel options and digital tools for planning and evaluation. These mobility opportunities serve as catalysts for organizational growth and professional development, fostering engagement with other cultural spaces and expanding the network's presence across the European cultural landscape.
Culture Next has also established Thematic Working Groups, collaborative platforms designed to address key challenges in the cultural sector and bring together member cities to explore solutions across three critical areas: attracting and engaging young audiences in cultural activities, developing innovative methods for financing culture, and envisioning the future of the European Capitals of Culture program. These groups create opportunities for collaboration and growth that extend beyond the network, fostering connections with local communities. For instance, an open workshop explored creative strategies to encourage youth participation, while a dedicated meeting on best practices in cultural financing brought together network members to share successful models and discuss their applicability in diverse national contexts.
Polyloop and SDG: Measuring Culture’s Impact Across Europe
In collaboration with Dr. Breatiz García, lead expert for Culture& SDGs, in partnership with Polyloop, an innovative digital platform, Culture Next is exploring how culture can become the 18th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). During a pilot phase conducted in 10 European cities, the platform used artificial intelligence to collect and analyze data on the impact of cultural programs.
The results will be consolidated into a collective SDG impact report, offering cities a unified set of metrics to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative impact of culture on sustainable development. This initiative transforms culture into a concrete tool for influencing cultural policies at both European and global levels.
Culture Next proves that through collaboration and innovation, European cities can build sustainable cultural legacies and redefine urban development. With significant milestones achieved in the last three years, the network has demonstrated its capacity to drive meaningful change. Looking ahead, Culture Next remains committed to empowering cities to harness the transformative power of culture, paving the way for a stronger, more united Europe.
For more information on Culture Next's activities, visit:
culturenext.eu