ECOC2030BE

With the launch of the website and the publication of the Call for candidate cities in the Belgian Official Gazette, the competition for the next European Capital of Culture has officially begun.

In the Call for submission you will find the common application form and more information on the objectives and criteria of ECOC 2030 Belgium. The rules and procedure of the competition are explained in the Rules of procedure. 

Is your city a candidate? Find more information on the Candidacy page.

On December 1, 2023, the first Information Meeting took place at the Royal Library in Brussels.

In the morning, the European Commission gave a presentation on ECOC's objectives, criteria and procedures. In the afternoon, cities had the opportunity to meet two previous European Capitals of Culture and learn more about European funding with VLEVA.

Do you wish to submit as a candidate city? 

Let us know by 17:00 on 2 August 2024 at the latest.

Submit your application by email and hard copy before 17:00 on 2 September 2024. 

Send 20 English hard copies to:  
Secretariat of the ECOC2030BE Committee 
Department of Culture, Youth and Media 
Marie-Elisabeth Belpaire building
Simon Bolivarlaan 17
1000 Brussels

It is possible to deliver the hard copies directly to the reception of the Marie-Elisabeth Belpaire building. Please inform us by e-mail in advance so we can notify the reception.

On October 21st, 22nd and 23rd the cities will be invited to present their candidacies to a panel of international experts at the Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels. 

The shortlisted cities will be announced by the chairperson of the panel during a press conference in the auditorium of the Royal Library of Belgium on October 24th, followed by a reception.