EU projects
Project ECoC Echo
Further information: Take a look at our project overview in a short presentation
Facts about the project:
- Funding pot: Interreg Europe
- Scope of the project: €2,268,394
- Project duration: 1 May 2025 to 31 July 2029
The project brings together nine European Capitals of Culture (ECoCs) from:
- Leeuwarden 2018 (Netherlands)
- Novi Sad 2022 (Serbia)
- Veszprém 2023 (Hungary)
- Tartu 2024 (Estonia)
- Chemnitz 2025 (Germany)
- Oulu 2026 (Finland)
- Liepāja 2027 (Latvia)
- Évora 2027 (Portugal)
- Bourges 2028 (France)
Further information
Nine European countries have jointly launched a co-financed project ECoC Echo via the EU programme Interreg Europe in order to secure the positive effects of the European Capitals of Culture in the long term. The aim is to maintain and build on the momentum created during the European Capital of Culture year in the areas of culture, urban development and international cooperation beyond the title year.
<p<p>The exchange of experiences is at the centre of the project: The participating cities and regions learn from each other how they can use the impetus gained during the Capital of Culture year in a sustainable way and strengthen their local players.
<p<p>One concrete result of the project will be new or further developed strategies in all participating countries by 2028, which should help to ensure that
- to permanently anchor the legacy of the Capital of Culture locally,
- to promote regional development and
- to improve cooperation between the city and the region in the long term.
To this end, regular workshops are held in which project partners share their knowledge and actively involve local stakeholders.
In addition to the Capitals of Culture, the project also involves key stakeholders at local and regional level who play a central role in the European Capitals of Culture.
<p<p>The project results will be presented at the end of 2028 in Bourges (France) as part of the opening of the European Capital of Culture year.</p
Präsentation ProjektübersichtCity to City Exchange" project
The city of Chemnitz's fire service has been organising an EU-funded international exchange since 2024. In the first phase of the project (2024-2025), Chemnitz worked closely with the fire service from Nova Gorica to prepare specifically for its year as European Capital of Culture 2025.
The focus was on safety at major events and joint disaster control exercises. In addition, operational concepts were coordinated and experiences in dealing with local challenges, for example in the areas of climate and resilience, were exchanged.
<p<p>In 2026, the project will be continued and expanded in a second phase: a third partner, České Budějovice (European Capital of Culture 2028), will be added. At the same time, the themes will be further developed. The focal points are now:
- Climate adaptation in action, especially in the event of extreme weather events
- Cross-border cooperation in civil protection
- Evaluation of the European Capital of Culture year 2025, especially with regard to security concepts and cooperation
Funding for the follow-up project is again planned via the EU programme City2City Exchange.
In the long term, the knowledge gained from the project will be translated into concrete recommendations for action. These should also benefit other cities, especially future European Capitals of Culture. In this way, Chemnitz will remain an active partner in the European network beyond 2025
<pFacts about the project:
- Funding pot:
City-to-City Exchange - Funding programme:
European Urban Initiative (Capacity Building) - Scope of the project:
8.428,00 € - Project duration:
Phase 1 - 01 July 2024 - 30.07.2025
Phase 2 starts from June 2026
EUROPE DIRECT Information Centre
In the middle of the Capital of Culture year 2025, the city of Chemnitz asked itself how the European feeling and the newly created dynamic could be maintained in the long term. The answer: its own Europe Direct Centre. In May 2025, the city therefore applied to the European Commission for such an EU-funded information centre.</p
<p>Every five years, cities have the opportunity to apply for a location. Four Europe Direct centres are planned for Saxony - Chemnitz is part of this network for the first time. The city was accepted in October 2025.
<p<p>Europe Direct Chemnitz has been active since 1 January 2026. It is run by the City of Chemnitz and implemented as a project. The centre is managed by Europe Direct Manager Tina Winkel. The centre is financed by funding from the European Commission and the Free State of Saxony.</p
<p>In terms of content, Europe Direct pursues a mobile and citizen-oriented approach: with events, dialogue formats and information services, it brings Europe directly to the people in the city. A particular focus is on revitalising the intervention areas of the Capital of Culture - and on sustainably strengthening the European attitude to life in Chemnitz.</p
<p>You can access the main page of Europe Direct here:
moreEuropean Solidarity Corps
The European Solidarity Corps is a European Commission funding programme that enables young people between the ages of 18 and 30 to do voluntary service in another European country. Participants are supported by Erasmus+ funds.</p
<p>The city of Chemnitz, in cooperation with F+U Sachsen gGmbH, has been successfully accredited as a host organisation. The basis for this is a joint Erasmus+ application. Chemnitz has been able to host volunteers from all over Europe since August 2025.</p
<p>The first assignment will be at Europe Direct Chemnitz, where the volunteers will support the team with events, projects and public relations work.
The project brings international perspectives to the city administration, promotes intercultural exchange and strengthens further internationalisation. At the same time, it helps to pass on experiences and ideas from Chemnitz to a Europe-wide network and actively promote the European idea.
<p
The European Solidarity Corps is a European Commission funding programme that enables young people between the ages of 18 and 30 to do voluntary service in another European country. Participants are supported by Erasmus+ funds.</p
<p>The city of Chemnitz, in cooperation with F+U Sachsen gGmbH, has been successfully accredited as a host organisation. The basis for this is a joint Erasmus+ application. Chemnitz has been able to host volunteers from all over Europe since August 2025.</p
<p>The first assignment will be at Europe Direct Chemnitz, where the volunteers will support the team with events, projects and public relations work.
The project brings international perspectives to the city administration, promotes intercultural exchange and strengthens further internationalisation. At the same time, it helps to pass on experiences and ideas from Chemnitz to a Europe-wide network and actively promote the European idea.
<pCompleted projects
INTERLACE aims to make cities more liveable, resilient and inclusive
INTERLACE aims to make cities more liveable, resilient and inclusive
Making cities more liveable, resilient and inclusive
INTERLACE, an EU-funded project, supports cities in the renaturalisation of urban ecosystems. This is also the origin of the name, which stands for "International Cooperation to Restore and Connect Urban Environments in Latin America and Europe". Translated into German, it means "International Cooperation to Restore and Connect Urban Ecosystems in Latin America and Europe".
The project started in September 2020 and ended in August 2024. In addition to Chemnitz, the cities of Kraków (Poland), Granollers (Spain), Envigado (Colombia) and Portoviejo (Ecuador), as well as the municipal association CBIMA (Costa Rica), took part. There are also various partners such as the Ecologic Institute Berlin and the WWF.
The central objectives in Chemnitz are the renaturalisation of fallow land and environmental education, for example to reduce heat stress in the city and at the same time (re)establish biodiversity and the connection between people and nature.