The path to 2030

2017 to 2022 

In 2017 we announced our candidacy. Leuven was the first Belgian candidate.

Between 2018 and 2022 we prepared our trajectory:

• We spoke with the arts, heritage, and creative sector and the broad cultural field.
• We spoke with the region via OP/TIL (the Flemish network organization for supra-local cultural policy) (in Dutch).
• We took part in European networking events, such as Eurocities, Trans Europe Halles, European Network Cultural Centres, and Culture Next.
• We organized a widely participatory poll titled Leuven, Maak Het Mee (Let’s build Leuven together) (in Dutch).
• We developed ‘landscape mappings’ (vision text) of the arts, heritage, and the broad socio-cultural field (in Dutch).
• We appointed 3 experts to lead the project.

• 17 February 2023: We organized a get-together for representatives of the arts, heritage and broad cultural sector. We launched the mission statement.
• Spring 2023: Stakeholder discussions and commitments.
  • With Leuven networks (SOM, Leuven2030, Leuven MindGate) and educational institutions (KU Leuven).
  • With various organizations, sectors and companies from Leuven and the region. The sectors involved are very diverse: culture, heritage, education, youth, welfare, sports, tourism, economy, diversity and equal opportunities, hospitality and trade, sustainability, and so on.
  • Start of collaboration with the East Brabant region: discussions with cultural officials, mayors, and aldermen for culture.
• 28 June 2023: We organized a second get-together with various sectors from the East Brabant region.
• Summer 2023: We held an open call for the Dreamers2030.
• November 2023: The Dreamers2030 set to work.
• Autumn 2023: We held workshops and made preparations for 2024.

• Ongoing: We continue working jointly with the region. We held discussions with cultural officials, mayors, and aldermen for culture.
• Spring 2024: We organised various activities and initiatives:
  • ‘Writing tables’ for young people and start-up of an approach to cultural entrepreneurship
  • Democratic dialogue roundtables with Leuven Restorative City, STUK, 30CC, Avansa and SOM
  • Start-up of the Culture x Education Lab
  • Pilot project Future Generations Lab during the FTI And& Festival. View the documentary Future Fusion of Bertrand Lafontaine en Michael Lombarts.
  • Launch of an open call for project ideas and related workshops for various sectors

• 20 March 2024: We held the SUMMIT of LOV networking event for professionals from the cultural and heritage sector, education, civil society, business and academia.
• 2 September 2024: We submit the first project proposal (pre-selection bid book), the official application for the title of European Capital of Culture.
• 24 October 2024: European jury selects the cities that will go forward to the next round.