DECISION No 445/2014 / EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 16 April 2014 establishing a Union action for European Capitals of Culture for the years 2020 to 2033
The evaluation of the European Capitals of Culture, as well as the public consultation on the future of this event after 2019, have shown that it has gradually become one of the most ambitious cultural initiatives in Europe and one of the most valued by European citizens. This idea should therefore be clearly developed for the period 2020-2033.
In addition to the European Capitals of Culture's original objectives of highlighting the richness, diversity and commonalities of European cultures and promoting greater mutual understanding between European citizens. European Capital of Culture cities have gradually added a new dimension to stimulation of general city development in line with its respective strategies and priorities.
It is important that title cities seek to establish links between their cultural and creative industries on the one hand and those such as education, research, the environment, urban development or cultural tourism on the other. In particular, past experience has shown that European Capitals of Culture have the potential to stimulate local development and cultural tourism, as emphasized by the Commission in its Communication entitled "Europe, the world's No 1 tourist destination - a new political framework for tourism".
It is also important that title cities strive to promote social inclusion and equal opportunities and make every effort to involve all sections of civil society as much as possible in the preparation and implementation of a cultural programme, with a special focus on young people and marginalized and disadvantaged groups.
The title should continue to be reserved for cities, regardless of their size, but in an effort to reach a wider audience and increase the impact of the event, the cities concerned should also continue to be able to involve the surrounding area.
The title should be still based on a specially designed cultural programme with a strong European dimension. This cultural programme should also be part of a long-term strategy with a sustainable impact on local economic, cultural and social development.