FORMA
TION
Would you like to contribute to Granada’s ECOC bid?
After all, when it comes to promoting integration and equality, nothing is more exciting, refreshing and invigorating than culture(s) and cultural expressions. Our aim is to encourage the greatest possible participation from all members and representatives of civil society in preparing and implementing our cultural programme.
FORMA
TION
Would you like to contribute to Granada’s ECOC bid?
After all, when it comes to promoting integration and equality, nothing is more exciting, refreshing and invigorating than culture(s) and cultural expressions. Our aim is to encourage the greatest possible participation from all members and representatives of civil society in preparing and implementing our cultural programme.
Participation is the key to cultural wealth. Our mission and vision are therefore based on participation and inclusion. In this sense, we believe that everyone has something to contribute.
Our 2031 Community seeks to generate innovative proposals by bringing together businesses, public administrations, academia and citizens. It is an open innovation ecosystem in which you can participate individually or collectively, thanks to an accessible and flexible format that facilitates both face-to-face and digital interaction.
How can you contribute to Granada’s ECOC bid?
To facilitate participation in the generation of ideas and the organisation of debates, we are supported by UGR MediaLab – the University of Granada’s social innovation laboratory.
You can get actively involved by:
1) Joining the participatory laboratories, based on your interests in the following cross-cutting topics, among others:
- Cultural and digital innovation
- Heritage and sustainability
- Creative and sustainable tourism
- Multiculturalism, social cohesion and inclusion
- European dimension
- Cultural spaces
- Training and education
- Dissemination and awareness-raising
- Employment and entrepreneurship
2) Applying these topics and ideas to the development of neighbourhoods in Granada or municipalities and districts in the province of Granada.
Sign up to be part of the process:
You can also contribute ideas via the LabIn Granada – Citizen Innovation Laboratory:
https://labingranada.org/
At a collective level, you can also sign the Declaration of Support for the "Granada - European Capital of Culture 2031" project.
Inspired by the spirit of European cooperation and committed to the diverse and sustainable cultural development of Granada, we hereby express our firm support for the “Granada – European Capital of Culture 2031” project. Granada has been devoted to this initiative since 25 September 2015, when Granada City Council unanimously endorsed it. Since then, stakeholders from all sectors of society with a variety of perspectives have been working towards the goal of making Granada a place of cohesion, knowledge generation, creativity and innovation.
We recognise that culture, the arts, cultural heritage and diversity are of great value to European society from a social, educational, environmental, human rights, innovation and economic perspective. We believe that the cultural and creative sectors play a fundamental role in promoting democratic values, social and economic cohesion, human prosperity, and inclusion in our societies. These are all key elements in the process of European integration. Likewise, we believe that the cultural sector is a driver of economic development and innovation, especially when these activities are related to education, art, personal development, science, tourism, and leisure activities, among others.
For these reasons, we view the cultural sector as a vital strategic asset. We must combine efforts and generate synergies with other sectoral policies to highlight the intrinsic value of culture, provide the necessary support for the arts and culture, and foster cultural consumption habits among the general public.
We believe that Granada’s bid fully aligns with the values and objectives of the European Capitals of Culture initiative. We therefore wish to publicly express our desire, which we share with the city, to champion culture as a driver of creativity, social inclusion, sustainability, and intercultural dialogue at the local, national, and international levels.
Granada has a rich history and a thriving cultural and scientific scene. In this regard, we are convinced that our city has all the necessary attractions and meets all the requirements for the European Union to select it as European Capital of Culture 2031. Granada cherishes its artistic and cultural traditions, but also cultivates new forms of cultural expression and technological innovation. The city fosters artistic creation by supporting local and international artists, and by organising countless festivals, exhibitions and cultural events.
Sustainable urban development
We share the city’s commitment to promoting sustainable urban development and cultural infrastructure. By leveraging their multiplier effect, we can facilitate innovation and improve access to culture for all citizens, thereby fostering a deeper sense of belonging to a common cultural area. We recognise that culture must be accessible to everyone, regardless of their origin, age or abilities.
We are also fully aware that Granada must integrate sustainability into all its cultural policies and practices. We must therefore encourage the adoption of sustainable cultural practices that reduce environmental impact and promote the responsible use of resources. In the same vein, it is important that we develop public spaces that integrate art and nature in order to improve the quality of urban life. Furthermore, we must promote sustainable tourism. These actions will enable us to showcase the cultural wealth of the city and its surroundings in a way that benefits the local community while preserving its heritage.
Our pledge
We view Granada as a city of the future. It has long been a crossroads of cultures and civilisations — a place where intercultural dialogue and international cooperation are valued. We intend to continue promoting cultural, creative, research and scientific exchanges with other cities in Europe and around the world, learning in the process and sharing experiences and knowledge. Granada embraces cultural diversity as an enriching source of mutual understanding, supporting initiatives and projects that bring people from different backgrounds together to promote peace and global awareness.
For all of these reasons, we are fully committed to:
- Recognising the intrinsic value of the arts and culture, as well as their strategic potential for society.
- Promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly cultural practices, as well as a tourism policy that respects the quality of life of all citizens.
- Stimulating artistic creation and encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative sectors, within the scope of our powers and using the means at our disposal.
- Contributing to the professional recognition of the cultural sector and ensuring that artists, authors, performers and all cultural practitioners receive adequate recognition.
- Promoting equal opportunities for citizens to engage in and benefit from cultural activities.
- Supporting educational programmes that make culture accessible to young people, older people and groups in need of greater inclusion.
- Eliminating physical and social barriers to ensure that everyone, without exception, can engage in and benefit from culture and cultural heritage.
- Promoting policies that enable adequate funding for cultural programming, as well as fair and appropriate remuneration for professionals working in the sector, as a means of creating jobs in the cultural sector.
In short, Granada is proud of its heritage, but also has its sights set on the future and is firmly committed to becoming European Capital of Culture in 2031. To this end, we are counting on the support of all those working in the arts and culture, as well as our citizens, institutions and visitors. By signing this declaration, we are supporting an unwavering commitment to creativity, inclusion, sustainability and intercultural cooperation. Together, we can build a brighter, more peaceful, and culturally enriched future for all.