| Culture 21

Capitals of Culture Working Together

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UCLG works globally to boost the conversation on culture in development. At least since 2017 (at the second Culture Summit), this aim includes the creation of synergies among Capitals of Culture. In 2023, the European Commission and UCLG signed an agreement to develop the programme “Capitals of Culture, Share, Learn and Advocate Together”.

The programme included: (a) capacity-building workshops and webinars, including the Seven keys, the Youth Lab and the Culture 21 Plus, (b) a structured methodology for a permanent “African Capital of Culture” initiative, (c) the connection with the global challenge through the Culture Goal, and (d) the participation of main actors in major international “City and Regions” Fora and events.

A final event will take place on 28 April 2026.

THE FINAL EVENT: 28 APRIL 2026

capitals_agenda_webinar_28_abril_2026_draft_1.pdf

The Concept Note of the final webinar

The final event of the programme “Capitals of Culture Working Together” will take place on 28 April 2026. The event will involve all the partners of the programme, including UCLG-Africa, the Anna Lindh Foundation, the UCCI, the association Culture et Développement, the Culture 2030 Goal campaign, and the cities that are holding the "Capital title".

Registration to the webinar is open, here.

CAPACITY-BUILDING WORKSHOPS AND WEBINARS

The Seven keys in Brazaville

The Culture 21 Plus in Segou

The Culture 21 Plus in Esch-sur-Alzette

Culture 21 Plus in Elefsina

Webinar 1. The Culture Capitals and the Culture Goal. Working to Boost the Connections between Regional Initiatives and Global Challenges. 11 December 2024.

Webinar 2. The Culture Capitals and the Culture Goal. Working to Boost the Connections between Regional Initiatives and Global Challenges. 16 January 2026.

brazzaville_informepeerlearning_july2024_fr.pdf

Youth Lab in Brazzaville

A STRUCTURED METHODOLOGY

This is the dossier with the main elements for the consideration of Brazzaville as the Second African Capital of Culture

This is the proposal of the Terms of Reference for the third African Capital of Culture (final draft prepared by Valeria Marcolin, Culture et Developpement).

This is the Synthesis Note to the draft Terms of Reference, prepared by Valeria Marcolin (Culture et Developpement).

The first meeting of the Culture Committee of UCLG-Africa took place in Brazzaville in June 2025.

The second meeting of the Culture Committee of UCLG-Africa will take place in Nouakchott in March 2026.

THE CAPITALS ADVOCATE FOR A CULTURE GOAL

This is the report "Capitals of Culture Engaging for the Culture Goal", written by Sylvia Amann.

EVENTS

The first Forum of Mayors of the African Capital of Culture took place in Rabat in May 2023.

The UCLG Culture Summit in Dublin took place in November 2023.

The UCLG Culture Summit in Barcelona took place in September 2025

THE "CAPITALS" INITIATIVES

The European Capital of Culture initiative is organised by the European Commission since 1986

The Iberoamerican Capital of Cultures initiave is organised by the Union of Iberoamerican Capital Cities since 1990.

The African Capital of Culture is organsied since 2023 by UCLG-Africa.

The Mediterranean Capitals of Culture & Dialogue initiative is organised by the Anna Lindh Foundation and the Union for the Mediterranean since 2024.

GUIA PER FER PÀGINES AL WEB

Read more about GUIA PER FER PÀGINES AL WEB

EBORRANY - CAL REDACCIO NETA - The overall objective of the programme is to establish a global common frame of cooperation and understanding on cultural policies and inter-cultural exchanges contributing to sustainable urban development between cultural actors and local authorities. More specifically, it aims to:
i) Share the experiences and models of towns which have invested in the cultural dimension in order to develop and “transform” their city and to increase the economic and social welfare of their citizens, with specific reference to the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) initiative impact.

ii) Contribute to establish solid connections and partnerships between Cities from the EU partner countries, starting from the African ones, and from the European Union.

iii) Widen the understanding of the contribution of cultural policies within a territorial approach to local development, with specific attention to the strengthening of the concept of citizenship among youth and to increase the attractiveness of intermediate cities.

THE FINAL EVENT - FORMAT = MARCO (DOCUMENTO + TEXTO)

Info webinar final con highlihts etc

Info webuinar final

suposo que aixco serà un text llarg

THE WEBINARS - FORMAT = DOCUMENTOS + IMAGEN LARGE

WEBINAR 1 - AGENDA

WEBINAR 2

THE FORA - FORMAT = DOCUMENTOS + IMAGEN SHORT

SEven Keys Brazza

Seven keys Brazza

Seven lkeys Nouakcohtt

Seven keys Nouakchott

Culture 21 plus - Esch

Culture 21 plus - Segou

Culture 21 plus - Elefsina

Youth Lab - Poto Poto Brazzaville

THE TERMS OF REFERENCE FORMAT = IMAGEN + TEXTOS

and encourage FORMAT = DOCUMENTOS + IMAGEN SHORTFORMAT = DOCUMENTOS + IMAGEN SHORTFORMAT = DOCUMENTOS + IMAGEN SHORTFORMAT = DOCUMENTOS + IMAGEN SHORTFORMAT = DOCUMENTOS + IMAGEN SHORTFORMAT = DOCUMENTOS + IMAGEN SHORTFORMAT = DOCUMENTOS + IMAGEN SHORTFORMAT = DOCUMENTOS + IMAGEN SHORTFORMAT = DOCUMENTOS + IMAGEN SHORTFORMAT = DOCUMENTOS + IMAGEN SHORTFORMAT = DOCUMENTOS + IMAGEN SHORT

The Synthesis Note

THE REPORT FORMAT = IMAGEN + TEXTOS

report Sylvia here

THE WORKSHOPS FORMAT = DOCUMENTOS + IMAGEN

Forum ACOC RAbat

forum of Rabat

Forum ACOC Brazza

THE WORKSHOPS 2 - FORMAT = DOCUMENTOS + TITULO

Webinar 1. pot ser miolt llarg?

AQUEST ÉS UNA PROVA DE TÍTOL

(no pas de título de apartado, que és una altra cosa)

plan 2026

THE WEBINARS - FORMAT = TEXTO + DOCUMENTO ->

prova de text a l'esquerra

Agenda del webinar.Agenda del webinar.Agenda del webinar.Agenda del webinar.Agenda del webinar.Agenda del webinar.Agenda del webinar.Agenda del webinar.Agenda del webinar.Agenda del webinar.Agenda del webinar.Agenda del webinar.Agenda del webinar.

agenda del webinar

2025-2029

Read more about 2025-2029

prova 2

Hervé Fournier

photo d'Herve Fournier - Mairie de Nantes

It is with deep regret and sadness that we announce the passing of Hervé Fournier, city and metropolitan councilor of Nantes, member of the Climate Chance Association, expert in all subjects concerning social and environmental responsibility, and strongly committed to the essential relationships between culture, environment and sustainable development, at the local and global level.

Between 2015 and 2021, Hervé Fournier worked closely with the UCLG Culture Committee. He contributed to strengthening all initiatives related to climate action, from COP 21 (Paris, December 2015) to the publication of our report on this subject, "The Role of Culture in Climate-Resilient Development," published in 2021. Hervé Fournier was also a key participant in our UCLG Culture Summit, held on Jeju Island in 2017.

We extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends. The entire international community dedicated to the environment, the promotion of inclusive and humane territories, and culture —his main areas of commitment— is in mourning.

Webinar: Key insights on the International Award UCLG - Mexico City - Culture 21

On 11 February 2026, from 15:00 to 16:30 (CET), we will hold an exclusive webinar dedicated to the 7th Edition of the International Award UCLG - Mexico City - Culture 21.

The objective of this webinar is two-fold: to encourage as many cities as possible to submit applications about the innovative work they are doing, as a great opportunity to give visibility to extraordinary projects that deserve recognition; and to guide local and regional governments through their application processes.

Participants will also gain unique insights into how to build a strong application. The programme of the session includes examples, ideas, practical tips for putting together your application, and other useful information.

To take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen your application and showcase your city's cultural leadership, you can register for the webinar here. The agenda of the webinar is available here.

Interpretation will be available in English, French and Spanish.

Webinar 2: Culture Capitals for the Culture Goal

Culture Capitals for the Culture Goal - banner

In the frame of the “Capitals of Culture Working Together” programme, on 15 January 2026, the webinar will be the occasion to present and discuss the draft report on “Culture Capitals for the Culture Goal in the SDGs” report, written by Sylvia Amann. The webinar will also discuss the next opportunities/actions by/with Capitals of Culture in 2026 and 2027 for the Culture Goal in the SDGs and the Agenda post-2030.

The draft report and the agenda of the webinar are available here.

The registration for the webinar is here.

Plan 2026

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Programa

eng_2026_committee_work_plan_culture.pdf

Año

2026

Agenda caption

Agenda

a21c_committee_agenda_2026_def.pdf

7th edition 2025-2026

Read more about 7th edition 2025-2026

Mostrar Application Form

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Mostrar últimos ganadores

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Contenido

The International Award UCLG - Mexico City - Culture 21 recognises cities and individuals who have distinguished themselves in the promotion of cultural rights for local sustainable development.

The Rules of the 7th edition of the Award are available.

CITY / LOCAL OR REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

The application form to submit a candidacy to the Award is open until 12 March 2026.

>> Access it here.

INDIVIDUAL

The nomination form to submit a candidate to the Award is open until 12 March 2026.

>> Download it here.

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Noticia

2025-2026 will see the launch of the 7th edition of the International Award UCLG - Mexico City - Culture 21 which recognises cities and individuals who have distinguished themselves in the promotion of cultural rights for local sustainable development.

Application forms for the ‘City/Local or Regional Government’ category and nominations forms for the ‘Individual’ category will be open between December 2025 and March 2026.

The results of the 7th edition of the Award will be announced in June 2026.

Documento bases

Rules

International Award UCLG - Mexico City - Culture 21

Evento

December 2025, 1st.

Launch of the Award and reception of applications.

March 2026, 12th.

Deadline for the reception of applications ("City / Local or Regional Government" category).

May 2026.

Meeting of the International Jury.

June 2026.

Communication of the results.

2026

Award Ceremony.

Ciudades

City

Mexico City

Nombre del proyecto

Mexico City

Year

2024

Winner

Descripción

Applications from candidate cities to the 7th edition of the Award will be received from December 1st, 2025 to March 12, 2026.

Documento

Winner

Documento

Special mention

Enlace ciudades (inicio)

Applications from candidate cities to the 7th edition will be received between …

Enlace individual (inicio)

Nominations to the 7th edition will be received between December 1st, 2025 and …

UNSRCR CALL FOR INPUTS

The UN Special Rapporteur in the field of Cultural Rights, Alexandra Xanthaki, has released a call for inputs on nature conservation and cultural rights: OHCHR | Call for contributions.

Send your contribution before 15 November 2025.