20 cities compete to be European Youth Capital 2018!

The cities in the running for the European Youth Capital 2018 title have been revealed. In all, 20 cities applied for the title from right across Europe. This is almost double the number of applications received last year and highlights the growing reach and recognition of the title.

Applications for the EYC2018 title have been received from:

• Amiens, France
• Angra do Heroismo, Portugal
• Ankara, Turkey
• Bratislava, Slovakia
• Bristol, United Kingdom
• Cascais, Portugal
• Coimbra, Portugal
• Erzurum, Turkey
• Istanbul, Turkey
• Kamyanets-Podilsky, Ukraine
• Kecskemet, Hungary
• Kingston Upon Hull, United Kingdom
• Larnaka, Cyprus
• Limassol, Cyprus
• Manchester, United Kingdom
• Naples, Italy
• Novi Sad, Serbia
• Perugia, Italy;
• Poznan, Poland
• Tbilisi, Georgia

The increased number of applications reflects the rising prestige of the title, with previous Youth Capitals and the 2015 Youth Capital, Cluj-Napoca, demonstrating how cities can be truly youthful and open to the input and participation of young people. It also reflects a growing partnership with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, which last year became an “Endorsing Partner “ of the title.

The Youth Capital jury composed of civil society youth policy experts and practitioners, representatives from the private sector, media and from local and regional authorities, will select the five short listed candidates cities, which will be announced by 29th April. After input from the jury and young people, these five candidates will be asked to submit an updated application by October. After a final jury meeting, the winner of the EYC2018 title will be announced at the European Youth Forum’s Council of Members in Ganja, Azerbaijan (EYC2016) in November 2015.

The European Youth Forum is delighted to see so many cities are taking steps to make their city youthful and to prioritise young people. We look forward to the next stage of the selection process for 2018’s European Youth Capital.

Any Questions regarding this application process should be directed to Conor O’Neill at conor.oneill@youthforum.org

For more information on the title and on previous Youth Capitals, visit:

http://www.europeanyouthcapital.org/