From Cultural Strategy to European Capital of Culture Preparation
How can a Municipality or Regional Authority transform its cultural vision into a comprehensive strategy, European partnerships, active participation by the local community, and meaningful development impact?
For Greek cities seriously considering a future bid for the title of European Capital of Culture, preparation needs to begin before the official call is launched. With 2027 on the horizon, it is crucial to start developing the cultural strategy, partnerships and networks, local community participation, and organisational readiness required for a strong bid.
In this context, MENTOR in Culture, as an Erasmus+ accredited organisation in the field of Adult Education, is preparing a specialised adult education programme for professionals working within Municipalities and Regional Authorities, with a five-day group mobility of adult learners in Larnaka at its core, implemented in cooperation with Larnaka 2030 – European Capital of Culture 2030.
The mobility constitutes the central field-based phase of a broader learning programme developed by MENTOR. The programme will include preparatory learning sessions before departure, the five-day learning mobility in Larnaka and a follow-up session focused on evaluation, reflection and application of the learning outcomes after participants return.
Applicants selected through this call will join the programme as adult learners of MENTOR and will be expected to participate in all of its planned phases.
The programme will focus on the journey of Larnaka 2030 and on the practices through which a city's cultural vision is transformed into strategy, partnerships, organisational development, and an actionable plan with a European perspective.
Through working sessions, presentations, site visits, case studies, peer exchange and the collaborative exploration of real examples, participants will explore:
The programme will draw on the experience of Kelly Diapouli, Artistic Director of Larnaka 2030, who held overall responsibility for the design and drafting of the Eleusis and Larnaka bid books, as well as Panos Gkiokas, Founder & CEO of MENTOR in Culture, who participated in the respective bidding and drafting teams, with responsibility for key areas of both candidacies.
The aim is for participants to return to their organisations with practical tools, new ideas and an initial implementation framework, adapted to the needs of their Municipality or Regional Authority.
By the end of the programme, participants are expected to be able to:
For a Municipality considering a future bid for the title, participation can constitute a first meaningful step in strategic preparation. For Municipalities and Regional Authorities that are not planning to bid for the title, the same experience offers tools to strengthen cultural strategy, European outreach, partnerships and citizen participation.
The programme is addressed to adults working within Municipalities and Regional Authorities who wish to strengthen their knowledge and skills in cultural strategy, European cultural cooperation, citizen participation and the preparation of a potential European Capital of Culture bid.
In particular, it is relevant to professionals working in the fields of:
Selected participants will join a relevant MENTOR adult education activity that includes preparation before departure, the five-day Erasmus+ group mobility in Larnaka and a follow-up process focused on evaluation and transfer of the knowledge gained.
This is not simply an educational visit, but a structured process of strategic preparation, knowledge exchange and capacity building, directly connected to the needs of Local and Regional Government.
Activity type: Group mobility of adult learners
Host organisation: Larnaka 2030 – European Capital of Culture 2030
Destination: Larnaka, Cyprus
Mobility duration: 5 days
Dates: To be announced soon
Working language: Greek
Available places: 12
Expression of interest deadline: 5 September 2026
At this stage, MENTOR in Culture invites Municipalities and Regional Authorities to express their interest in participating.
Expression of interest form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbyYnQQ2FJg8Jf_PhFvCBMZ6GNJM8PbSO1mli8kZpz3VDxTw/viewform
📩 [email protected]
Submitting an expression of interest does not automatically confirm participation.
Following the application deadline, eligibility will be verified and, if the number of eligible applications exceeds the available places, a transparent, fair and inclusive selection process will take place.
Selection will take into consideration the relevance of the applicant's professional and learning profile to the programme, their motivation to participate, identified learning needs and the potential to apply and transfer the knowledge gained within their organisation.
MENTOR applies the principles of equal access and inclusion and will provide appropriate support for participants with fewer opportunities or specific accessibility requirements.
Final selection requires participation in the full learning programme, including the preparatory sessions, the five-day mobility and the follow-up evaluation session after return.
The mobility is implemented within the framework of an approved Erasmus+ project.
For participants whose participation is formally confirmed, MENTOR will directly organise and cover the relevant mobility costs and provisions, in accordance with the applicable Erasmus+ rules, the approved project budget and the arrangements defined for this specific activity.
Detailed information on the provisions covered, travel arrangements, accommodation and any other practical conditions will be communicated to selected participants prior to the final confirmation of their participation.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the State Scholarships Foundation (IKY). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.