Mediterranean Capitals of Culture & Dialogue:
A yearlong celebration of Euro-Mediterranean identity and cooperation, Union for the Mediterranean and Anna Lindh Foundation, for 2025. Deadlines: 23 July 2023.
The Union for the Mediterranean launched the “Mediterranean Capitals of Culture & Dialogue” (MCCD) initiative during their 7th Regional Forum in November 2022. Based on the call of Ministers of Culture of the Euro-Mediterranean region on 17 June 2022 in Naples, as well as the recommendation of more than 200 young representatives from the civil society of over 20 countries at the Forum des Mondes Méditerranéens on 7 February 2022 in Marseille, this initiative was shaped to further promote the diversity and shared identity of the Euro-Mediterranean region and contribute to a better mutual unders- tanding of its peoples.
Two cities will be chosen, one from the North and one from the South; they will collaborate during 2024, and hold events in 2025. They must both be members of the Union of the Mediterranean. Activities will include offering programmes which may include conferences and seminars on topics critical to the region, civic engagement initiatives, and cultural performances that celebrate the Euro-Mediterranean identity and diversity, coordinated by local authorities with the support of a coalition of cultural institutions, schools and universities, sports institutions, civil society organisations, and other relevant actors.
Core objectives:
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Euro-Mediterranean Identity: Encouraging intercultural dialogue and greater mutual understanding across the Euro-Mediterranean region: the initiative will aim to combine local objectives and realities with solid regional visions.
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Territorian Cooperation: Promoting innovative partnerships at the local level to enhance regional integration: collaboration will be open to all eligible cities, irrespective of previous cooperation and territorial collocation, to promote fruitful interactions of territories with limited integration.
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Bottom up Approach: Strengthening the role of civil society, and particularly young people, in shaping Euro- Mediterranean cooperation: every step of the initiative is designed and implemented in close cooperation with networks of youth and civil society actors.
Center for Intercultural Dialogue 