2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture is part of the Culture Next- network of cities, dedicated to those that have applied for or held the title of European Capital of Culture (ECoC). This network aims to foster the exchange of knowledge, experience, and best practices among its members. Additionally, it advocates for the recognition of culture as a key goal for sustainable development at the European level and seeks to expand current European frameworks for cultural cooperation. Culture Next also contributes to the legacy of the ECoC initiative, promoting and facilitating the implementation of more ECoC programmes across Europe.
Founded in 2017 as an initiative of the Cluj Cultural Centre (previously Cluj-Napoca 2021), Culture Next was created when Cluj-Napoca, one of Romania’s candidate cities, did not win the ECoC title for 2021. The founding cities included Aveiro (PT), Debrecen (HU), Klaipeda (LT), Leeds (UK), Plunge (LT), and Elefsina (GR).
Today, the network has 34 member cities from 19 European countries, all current or former candidates for the ECoC title. To date, it has organized 300 actions for knowledge and practice exchange, including conferences, skill development workshops on various cultural and urban sustainability topics, mobility for on-site shadowing, and the creation of strategic tools.
The primary areas of action for the Culture Next project are:
-Increasing cultural access and participation, as well as audience development for the expanded CN Network (members, local stakeholders, etc.
-Developing the capacity of the network and its members internationally, designing opportunities to promote mobility and partnerships both institutionally and individually.
-Connecting with members of the European cultural and creative sector to address challenges and opportunities in fostering urban development processes.
The Culture Next Network’s activities are part of the Creative Europe program funded by the European Union for the 2021-2024 period, with renewed activities planned for 2025-2028. The implementing body is the Cluj Cultural Centre, an NGO focused on culture and sustainable development that manages the city’s legacy as a 2021 European Capital of Culture candidate, conducting a multidisciplinary program to address strategic challenges.
