CALL OPEN: Who will be the fifth European Capital of Democracy?
Is your city ready to take centre stage for democracy in Europe? Today, we are opening the Call for the European Capital of Democracy 2028 — and we are looking for the fifth city to hold the title and lead a Europe-wide conversation about how democracy is lived, strengthened and reimagined.
Why become the next European Capital of Democracy?
Holding the title is a unique opportunity for your city. As European Capital of Democracy, your city will:
– gain international reputation as a centre of democratic innovation and exchange
– host impactful events, co-hosting international formats such as the Innovation in Politics Awards and the ACT NOW Mayors’ Conference, and welcoming leading European voices
– strengthen civic pride by putting your residents and their participation in the spotlight
– join the ECoD Consortium, helping to steer the future of the initiative alongside fellow title-holding cities
Throughout the Democracy Year, the title-holding city sits at the heart of our flagship formats — from The Innovation in Politics Awards to the ACT NOW Mayors’ Conference and Truth, Lies & Democracy — guaranteeing international attention, additional visitors and a Europe-wide impact.
How Building on four pioneering cities are cities
So far, four remarkable cities have been selected as European Capital of Democracy, each leaving its own impact on the initiative:
– Barcelona, Spain (2023/24)
– Vienna, Austria (2024/25)
– Cascais, Portugal (2026)
– Brussels, Belgium (2027)
The fifth city will join this community, build on their legacy, and carry the title forward.
How Chosen by citizens, not committees
What makes the ECoD title truly unique is who decides. The next European Capital of Democracy is selected by our Citizens’ Jury — a network of more than 5,500 engaged citizens from all Council of Europe member states and Kosovo. This is democracy choosing democracy: ordinary people, not closed-door panels, determine which city best embodies the values and ambition of the initiative.
Is your city eligible?
The Call is open to cities:
– located within a Council of Europe member state and Kosovo
– with a population of more than 100,000 inhabitants
The full prerequisites are set out in the Call Document.
How are cities selected?
The process is transparent and built around clear stages:
1. Application — interested cities submit their application during the Call.
2. Admission — ECoD NPO screens applications for completeness and admissibility.
3. Evaluation — the Experts’ Jury assesses applications and draws up a shortlist of up to three contenders.
4. Selection — the Citizens’ Jury selects the next European Capital of Democracy from the shortlist.
Everything you need to apply
We have prepared all the materials you need to put together a strong application, available on our website:
– The Call Document, setting out the full process, timeline and requirements, including eligibility and exclusion criteria, the safeguarding policy, the legal framework and the supporting guidelines.
– The templates and declarations to be completed as part of your submission.
We strongly encourage every interested city to arrange a zoom-call with our City Applications Manager who will guide you through the process. The application window is open from today until November 2026.
Still have questions?
We have gathered answers to the most common questions — on eligibility, the timeline, the selection process and what holding the title involves — in our FAQ section. If your question isn’t covered there, get in touch with us anytime at ak@capitalofdemocracy.eu.
Could your city be the next European Capital of Democracy?
Read the Call Document, arrange a meeting with us, and apply today.