The ESPON SECC (Spill-over Effects of European Capitals of Culture on Territorial Development) project aims to understand how European Capital of Culture initiatives contribute to long-term development in host cities and their surrounding regions.
While European Capital of Culture programmes are known for their cultural and economic benefits, there is limited evidence on their long-term spill-over effects beyond the host cities. As many European Capital of Culture initiatives increasingly involve surrounding municipalities and regions, it is important to understand how culture-led development contributes to wider territorial development, strengthens cooperation across administrative boundaries, and supports territorial cohesion. This challenge is particularly relevant for European and Nordic regions seeking innovative, place-based approaches to build resilience, foster collaboration, and create sustainable development opportunities.
This project investigates the territorial, socioeconomic, cultural, and governance impacts of European Capital of Culture programmes through four case studies: Veszprém (Hungary), Guimarães (Portugal), Bad Ischl (Austria), and Bodø (Norway). Through stakeholder interviews, governance analysis, and territorial data, SECC will identify how cultural initiatives and their governance arrangements can enable positive and lasting territorial benefits.
SECC will deliver new evidence on how culture-led initiatives can create lasting territorial impacts beyond host cities. The project will identify governance models, cooperation practices, and pathways through which European Capitals of Culture programmes contribute to economic development, social cohesion, cultural participation, and regional attractiveness. These findings will be translated into practical policy recommendations and transferable lessons for local, regional, national, and European stakeholders. By strengthening the evidence base for culture-led territorial development, SECC will support Nordic policymakers design more effective strategies and support communities in building more resilient, connected, and sustainable regions.
