Budějovice hosted the first ECoC Youth Clubs gathering. A new European collaboration of young creatives has begun.

What will remain for young people after the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) year ends? We're already looking for the answer.

That was exactly the focus of the first international ECoC Youth Clubs gathering, held as part of the Young Creators project, which brought together young cultural creators from České Budějovice, Latvian Liepāja, and Portuguese Évora.

Over five days, twelve participants explored the local cultural scene, exchanged experiences, and searched for answers to one key question: how can young people shape cultural life in their cities in the long term – not only during the ECoC year, but beyond it.

Culture made by young people

The Czech group was made up of Young Creators Academy alumni – people who are already actively organising cultural events, contributing to the preparation of Budějovický Majáles, or running their own independent artistic projects. Together with young cultural organisers from Liepāja and Évora, they formed a diverse group of under-26s who don't just follow culture – they actively create it.

The programme included workshops, discussions, visits to cultural organisations such as Artovna, Meziprostor, and Žižkárna, as well as space for informal exchange. Participants met with representatives of local institutions, explored the cultural ecosystem of České Budějovice, and debated what works when it comes to engaging young people in culture – and what still needs to change. The timing of the visit was no coincidence: young people from Portugal and Latvia had the chance to hear about projects born out of the Young Creators Academy at the YC Showtime event.

A significant part of the programme was also dedicated to team building, laying the foundation for a long-term youth platform that will continue beyond 2028. The whole programme wrapped up with a shared burst of energy on the dance floor at the opening of Budějovický Majáles.

International collaboration with lasting impact

The ECoC Youth Clubs project was created to connect young people across European medium-sized cities facing youth drain, and to support their active role in cultural life. The aim is not a one-off meeting, but the creation of an international network of young cultural leaders who will share experiences, develop joint projects, and inspire future ECoCs.

The Budějovice gathering will be followed by further study visits in Évora and Liepāja, regular online collaboration, and local activities in each city. Participants will work together on recommendations for future ECoCs, develop their own project ideas, and focus on ensuring that young people's involvement in culture has a lasting impact beyond the title year.

The first gathering showed that regardless of where young cultural creators come from, they face similar challenges – and share similar dreams. And it is through international collaboration that new ideas, friendships, and projects can emerge that go beyond the borders of individual cities.

Projekt ECoC Youth Clubs je financován Evropskou unií v rámci programu Erasmus+.