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1. Assessing community building and public participation in ECoC cities

This track focuses on how increasing the citizens’ sense of belonging to a common cultural area influences the dynamics of a city, especially in neighborhoods and areas not typically associated to the cultural phenomena. The track invites contributions that address (but are not restricted to):

  • Assessment methodologies to identify and measure social impacts of the ECoC title

  • Participative practices for the management of culture

  • Strategies, public policies and experiences for enhancing a participatory culture

  • Cultural mediation programmes

  • Cultural consumption and sense of belonging  

  • Community building through cultural/intercultural experiences.

2. Art and technology – new forms of cultural expressions (UPT)

This track focuses on the contemporary trend in creating and promoting cultural production and consumption, which is intrinsically tied to the digital and technological extensions of human beings. The track invites contributions that deal with (but are not restricted to):

  • Reinterpretation and/or promotion of cultural products with (new) technological devices and channels;
  • Wearable technologies in visiting “classical” cultural sites: cities, museums, exhibitions etc.
  • New means of cultural expressions, using (new) technology to create art
  • The role of mixed teams artists-engineers (technology experts) in the production, promotion and  ensuring the sustainable existence of the new forms of art.

3. Impact of culture for the future of urban services

Culture deeply influences the future of urban services, being an active factor of social cohesion and inclusion, economic development, and transformation acceleration. Contributions that tackle healthcare, education, urban planning, environmental protection, and recreational activities from multiple perspectives are welcomed. They may include but are not limited to:

  • Cultural beliefs and practices that influence healthcare, preferences for treatment modalities, and perceptions of health and illness.      
  • Cultural diversity in urban areas; inclusive and culturally responsive educational practices.
  • Inclusive urban design which takes into account the needs and preferences of diverse cultural communities, including accessibility, safety, and social cohesion; participatory planning processes and collective decision-making.
  • Ecological practices and biodiversity conservation in addressing social and cultural leisure activities or recreational facilities.

4. Sustainable practices in ECoC ecosystems

The European Capital of Culture programme has always addressed the sustainability issue and encouraged eco-practices and environmentally friendly events. This track focuses on how culture can raise awareness and influence behaviour in regards to sustainable economic development, and welcomes papers on circular economy, short supply chains, eco-tourism, shared and distributed leadershipin event management, asa well as any other topics covering the 2030 Agenda.

5. Governance of recent ECoC programmes

The European Capital of Culture programme went through different stages since its start in 1985, its evolution being driven, among others, by the change in vision and guidelines given of the European Commision, as well as the evolution of the cultural and societal modes of production, consumption, and the recognition of the relevance of culture for territorial development. This track focuses on the different approaches of the governance of ECoC programmes, their principles and the way they influence the outcomes, presentation and assessment of different evaluation methodologies of the governance and of the development of the ECoC Programme ecosystem - network formation, size, cohesion etc.

6. Building capacities within the cultural sector and beyond

Recent European Capitals of Culture have highlighted the importance of building capacities of the cultural sectors for a positive implementation of the Programmes and for a sustainable legacy. This track will focus on how such programmes rely and develop these capacities, extending the discussion from the capacities of cultural organizations to the importance of human and organizational capacities within the public administration and funders, and how these influence a sustainable legacy of the ECoC Programme.