Info Day: “2015 European Capital of Culture” Detailed insight

Introduction -The European of Culture event: one of the most visible cultural events in Europe; substantial in scale and scope. -High artistic and cultural quality requirements -Benefits and/or risks (financial deficit, criticisms). -To guarantee its success: information (concept, process), planning in advance, time, money.

Benefits and risks - Benefits : image, regeneration, urban developement, social cohesion, employment, tourism : -The number of visitors to the ECOC increases during the year (+12% related to the previous years) and one year after. - Risks : debts, criticisms, disappointments

I/ What is a European Capital of Culture? A unique concept: -Title awarded to one city in 2 Member States for one year: Belgium and Czech Republic in 2015, -Not for what it is or has (different from World Heritage): for what it does during the year; -A programme devised especially for the year; Decision 1622/2006/EC => criteria (art 4): European dimension, City and citizens

Evaluation of proposals based on criteria: 1 /European Dimension ● 2 aspects -The themes: role/ links of the city in Europe, European identity, participation in European Cultural life; -The way to implement: cooperation, trans borders projects ● Overhall integration into the European cultural actions (promoting /participating in the European cultural policy) ● Exemples in the Guide for cities applying for the title

Evaluation of proposals based on criteria: 2/ City and citizens 2 aspects -Attractivity at European scale and participation of people -Sustainability/ long term cultural and social development of the city

II/ The designation and monitoring process: from 2008 to 2015 ● Competition in Belgium: - proposals assessed by an international panel (13=7+6 members) against the criteria, - 2 stages: pre selection and final selection. ● Road map: -2008: call for submission of applications in Czech Republic ; deadline to apply: -Late 2009 : pre selection panel’s meeting => list of pre selected cities - Autumn 2010: final selection panel’s meeting => one recommended city : Designation by the EU Council of Ministers

How to apply? Reply to the call for submissions of applications filling in the « Proposed Application for the title » (in EN and CZ): overview of the programme Completed by a file for further details The pre selected cities will have to provide the same documents to complete/ go further

Monitoring After designation, 2 meetings with a panel of 7 international experts (in 2012 and 2014) 3 objectives : assessing the progress/giving guidance/checking compliance with the commitments A prize « in honour of Melina Mercouri » (1.5 million euros?) to reward the quality of the preparation.

III/ Keys to success: concept -Devising clear objectives and concept for the event on the basis of the criteria (european dimension etc) and the specificities of the city -A forward looking programme -An attractive programme at european scale -a sustainable project for the city (thinking together urban and cultural problems) -Consulting and associating cultural operators and the socio economic world from the beginning

Keys to success: Implementation -Public commitment to the programme and the budget must be firm and constant : public funds are the most important source (77%, State included) but private sponsoring plays a great role (13%) -Seeking for sponsorship well in advance -Independence from the political authorities of the artistic director -A clear and strong communication strategy

Keys to success: information and best practices For more information, use: - the Guide: Guide for the cities applying for the ECOC title, - Web site: -the study: European Cities and Capitals of Culture par Palmer/RAE Associates, Info day in Brussels on 5 May -Contacting the previous Capitals