**General Background**
The European Capital of Culture (ECoC) is an initiative of the European Union born in 1985. The objectives of the ECoC are set out in Decision No 445/2014/EU as amended by Decision (EU) 2017/15451 for the titles 2020 to 2033 but they can be summarised as follows: “to safeguard and promote the diversity of cultures in Europe and to highlight the common features they share as well as to increase citizens’ sense of belonging to a common cultural area, on the one hand, and to foster the contribution of culture to the long term development of cities at economic, social and urban level, in accordance with their respective strategies and priorities, on the other hand.”
The title of European Capital of Culture shall be awarded in 2031 to one city in Malta and to one city in Spain.
**Who can bid?**
The European Capital of Culture title may be granted to any city who applies, as long as certain criteria are satisfied, none of which are related to a city’s size or geographic location.
Cities that successfully implement this ambitious project are the ones that:
• have the **human, physical (in terms of infrastructure) and financial capacity** to carry out this ambitious project;
• **lead and represent its region** whilst reaching out beyond its borders to reach the whole of Malta and Gozo;
• create **an innovative and forward-looking programme** that may include, but cannot limited to, its existing cultural offer;
• focus their work on **its citizens and their connection with culture and Europe**, rather than on tourism;
• create their own version of the ECoC concept that is uniquely reflective of the city whilst ensuring that **art, culture and the European dimension are at its core**.
**What are the criteria which determine the success of the ECoC?**
Embedded in Decision 445/2014/EU are six criteria upon which the selection process is based, and which must therefore guide any city interested in taking on the title. These are:
• The contribution to a long-term cultural strategy for the city and its region with emphasis on the legacy of the title-year in terms of cultural, social and economic impact;
• The cultural and artistic content of the bid which reflects a clear artistic vision and strategy with a range of diverse high-quality artistic activities that combine local and traditional art and heritage with new, innovate and experimental cultural expressions;
• The European dimension which promotes the cultural diversity of Europe whilst encouraging cooperation between artists, operators and cities, particularly the partner ECoC;
• The effectiveness of its outreach strategy in involving local population and civil society in the process, the creation of new and sustainable opportunities and an overall strategy for audience development;
• The capability of the city to manage the project with emphasis on the proposed funding strategy, the governance and delivery structure, the marketing, communication and brand management strategies;
• The capacity to deliver a credible ECoC through evidence of strong political support and commitment from local, regional and national authorities as well as the necessary infrastructure to cope with the programme and the influx of visitors.
**Timeline**
2021 – 2022: Familiarisation with process, including attendance to initiatives organized by the Valletta Cultural Agency
2022 – 2024: Preparatory period to compile the Bid Book with multiple stakeholders including communities, artists, creatives, businesses, government authorities and international partners amongst others
2025: Official call by the European Union for interested applicants.
This pre-submission process will be led and guided by the Valletta Cultural Agency, in fulfilment of its duties as per Legal Notice 427/2018 and as part of the legacy of Valletta 2018.
**Expression of Interest**
Cities are hereby being invited to submit a formal notification of their interest in becoming the European Capital of Culture in 2031 by filling in the attached form. The Expression of Interest is not a competitive process but it will help to focus resources on those cities who wish to take on this ambitious project. All those cities who express interest will then be able to:
• Attend a detailed seminar on the ECoC application process with interventions from local and foreign experts in the field which will be taking place in September 2021.
• Have access to the research carried out on cultural infrastructure across Malta and Gozo by Valletta 2018.
• Be guided by the VCA in the initial phase of the research which the city will need to do and on starting a public outreach and consultation process within the region.
The Application Form (please download from below) must be submitted to ippartecipa@vca.gov.mt by not later than the 31st March 2021.
