This year’s Eurocities Culture Forum, taking place in Belfast, is all about exploring how culture can bring people together and solve urban challenges. Under the theme ‘Culture as a connector’, cities are showcasing projects that harness the power of art and heritage to improve social cohesion, boost local economies, and tackle environmental issues. Here’s a look at some standout examples from the event, showing how culture is making a real difference in cities across Europe.
Connecting communities: Malmo, Tilburg and Debrecen
In Malmo, Sweden, the project The History of Malmo Muslims until 1990 is drawing on its cultural history to combat Islamophobia and foster inclusion. The initiative, which involves public talks and events, helps to integrate the Muslim community’s stories into Malmo’s broader history, providing a platform for understanding and celebration of diversity. It is a great example of how culture can help bridge divides and foster a sense of belonging.
Tilburg in the Netherlands is addressing social challenges through the ForwArt project. By offering at-risk youth creative outlets such as fashion and dance, the project is helping them stay out of trouble and build connections with their community. In a diverse neighbourhood known for its high crime rates, culture is being used as a tool to create pride and community spirit.
Debrecen, Hungary, designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Literature in 2019, sees literature as a powerful connector. By organising festivals, workshops and public programmes, Debrecen is uniting people through a shared cultural identity rooted in literary traditions. These efforts strengthen social cohesion by uniting people around a shared cultural identity, while also attracting visitors and supporting Debrecen’s evolving cultural strategy.
Driving economic growth and urban regeneration: Bristol, Leeuwarden, and Toulouse
Bristol, a signatory of the Eurocities Call to Action for sustainable culture, is breathing new life into its city with art. The large-scale regeneration of the Temple Quarter and Western Harbour includes cultural spaces and public art projects designed to boost the local economy and improve quality of life. For instance, the project aims to create artist residencies and cultural hubs that attract tourists and residents alike, blending culture with urban renewal.
In Leeuwarden, another Dutch city, the collaboration between the cultural and economic departments is driving growth. The cultural department supports local institutions with subsidies, while the economic department enhances the city’s appeal through strategic investments like the Blockbuster fund, which offers grants to innovative cultural projects. It’ is about creating a city where culture drives economic growth – and where economic growth, in turn, supports culture.
Meanwhile Toulouse has drawn inspiration from the famous Machines of the Isle in Nantes and exchanged with its fellow French city for its own project, La Halle de la Machine. This initiative transformed the Montaudran district, once an industrial area, into a cultural hotspot. The giant mechanical creatures from La Halle now attract visitors and locals alike, revitalising the area and contributing to the local economy.
Championing sustainability: Madrid, Dresden, and Terrassa
In Madrid, the innovative Refúgiate en la Cultura project offers residents and tourists refuge from the city’s sweltering summers by turning cultural venues into cool, accessible spaces. The initiative also features free flamenco performances, blending sustainability with culture and expanding access to the arts. This creative solution turns a climate challenge into an opportunity for cultural engagement.
Dresden and Leipzig are tackling sustainability by developing a carbon calculator specifically for cultural institutions. This tool helps organisations reduce their environmental footprint, contributing to the broader effort to make the cultural sector more sustainable. As a signatory to the Eurocities Call to Action, Dresden is committed to reducing the carbon impact of its cultural activities.
In Terrassa, Spain, the GAS Seal initiative ensures that all cultural events adhere to principles of gender equality, accessibility and sustainability. By promoting these values, the city is working to create a more inclusive and eco-friendly cultural landscape. Terrassa’s efforts align perfectly with the goals of the Eurocities Call to Action, which it has also signed, demonstrating a strong commitment to both social and environmental sustainability.
The Eurocities Culture Forum 2024 highlights how European cities are leveraging culture to connect people, revitalise economies, and address environmental challenges. From Malmo’s historical storytelling to Toulouse’s mechanical marvels, these projects demonstrate the powerful role culture plays in shaping the future of cities.
By sharing their successes, these cities are not only creating stronger, more resilient communities but also inspiring others to do the same. Opportunities like the Eurocities Culture Forum are vital for cities to exchange good practices in how to overcome similar challenges.
