Romania is preparing the criteria for designating the city that will receive the title of European Capital of Culture in 2034

The Ministry of Culture has announced a new framework for the competition for the title of European Capital of Culture 2034, focusing on projects with long-term impact, community involvement and the continuation of programmes after the year in which the title is awarded. The designated city will have five years to prepare its cultural programme.

According to the ministry, the application process will be simplified, while the evaluation criteria will be reduced from six to four sets. Cities will be able to form joint applications more easily, including cross-border applications, while young people and civil society will be given a more important role.

The novelty is that the title will no longer be viewed solely as a programme carried out over a single year. Results will also be evaluated afterwards, and compliance with the commitments made will count towards the awarding of the “Melina Mercouri” Prize, named after the Greek Minister of Culture who proposed the programme in 1985.

The ministry is also examining a mechanism that would allow projects developed by finalist cities to be partially implemented even if they do not win the competition. The experience of Cluj-Napoca, where initiatives from its application for the 2021 title continued after the competition ended, is presented as an example.

Romania has already held the title through Sibiu, in 2007, alongside Luxembourg, and Timișoara, in 2023, alongside Veszprém and Elefsina. The ministry is also preparing the National Culture Strategy 2027–2034, which is expected to support projects by candidate cities.