The meeting had two main topics: first, the EU, active citizenship with a special focus on the upcoming European Parliamentary elections, and second, the importance and significance of cultural heritage.

In order to gain real knowledge in these fields and initiate meaningful discussions, the program contained numerous interactive elements. After learning about the EU and the responsibility of European Parliament through an online quiz, participants had the possibility to discuss their questions and uncertainties with the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Mr Tibor Navracsics.

The Commissioner highlighted the importance of voting on 26th May and shared the existing opportunities offered for the young people, including carrier possibilities. During the discussion, the meaning of local, national, and European identity was also defined, illustrated with real life examples.

In the afternoon, cultural heritage was in the main the focus. Following the presentation and the bunch of examples brought by Ms Ágnes Raffay, associate professor at the Department of Tourism of University of Pannonia, participating youth could get acquainted with each other’s hometown through a funny quiz. Finally, as the most important program point, three mixed groups of youth, decision makers and nationalities visited the city center of Veszprém with the guidance of local youth.

The ENriCH tour was actually the testing of a new Veszprém map prepared by the local group of Veszprém with professional support of HÉTFA colleagues. “Act like a Veszprémer!” is the slogan of the map, which is full of places, attractions, coffee houses, restaurants and other type of “must visited” spots of the city along the recommendation of the core local group and other citizens. The map is the output of a half-year preparation process and will be available on the project’s website (www.enrich.hu) from July.

On 11th May, project group participated at Gizella Days which is a yearly attraction of the city. ENriCH represented itself with an Info Point, where citizens had the chance to fill a test about the project, its partner countries and the EU, and discuss their questions with the project partners.

The project is at the half-time and the series of events will continue in Saint-Omer (FR), Tartu (ES), Lendava (SL) and Passau (DE) closed by the final event in Veszprém in February 2020. Colleagues of HETFA support the implementation of content related tasks.

The entire bid book of Veszprém (100 pages) is available here!

Photo by Balint Kovacs Photography

Municipalities and civil organizations active in the field of youth and culture from Hungary, Slovenia, Estonia, Austria and France are participating in the project. ENriCH aims to reinterpret the European cultural heritage through the dialogue of involved young people and decision makers. ENriCH also provides opportunity to explore how the major European events affected the cities of the partnership, and what kind of long-term impacts these happenings had on them. Moreover, it pays special attention to discover such local values which contributed to the European cultural heritage.

As part of the project, local discussions and transnational workshops are organized. During these events, young participants gain insight into the world of decision-makers and discuss how the preliminary identified local heritage has formed the present and future of Europe. Furthermore, they examine to what extent the perception and attitude of future’s generation has changed relating to common European values. Beside the official project partners, the city of Passau will also host a transnational project event since it is rich in cultural heritage and has a traditional and active relationship with Veszprém.

At the end of the project two major outputs are planned: first, a use-it! based online map of each city consisting of alternative city walks compiled by young participants in strong dialogue with seniors and experts. This map shall demonstrate those cultural heritages (both tangible and intangible) that local young people would show to foreigners. Second, outcomes and results of discussions will be summarized in a final study including policy recommendations aiming to shape the involvement of youth in the preservation of cultural heritage.

The project EnriCH reinforces the aspiration of Veszprém to be actively involved in European cultural processes and to strengthen its international relations. This is a key priority now, when Veszprém is preparing its application for the 2nd round of the European Capital of Culture 2023 call.

EnriCH is starting in these days: the kick-off meeting is being held in Veszprém on 18-19 September 2018. This first event provides opportunity for participants to brainstorm on the importance and the preservation of cultural heritage on the one hand; on the other hand to change experience how young people can be involved into the promotion and transmission of local and European cultural heritage.  The official website and the social media channels of the project will start in due time. Till then, for further details stay tuned on www.hetfa.eu!

Partners of ENriCH are:

• Municipality of Veszprém, HU
• Tartu City Government, ES
• Public University of Ptuj, SI
• City of Saumur, FR
• Foster Europe Foundation for Strong European Regions, AT.

SporTown – community building through international exchange

Implementation of the international project SporTown – Intergenerational Debate on Sport Specific Utilization of Urban Spaces, led by the city of Veszprém, has begun in February.

Municipalities and civil organizations active in the field of youth from Hungary, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland and the candidate country Serbia are participating in the project which aims to strengthen the concept of “playground and moving city”. As part of the project, local discussions, partner meetings and workshops are organized in partner cities. During these events, young participants gain insight into the world of decision-makers; they exchange good practices and discuss common challenges and opportunities in the field of city development. International workshops in Veszprém are planned to be attended by the European Commissioner Tibor Navracsics responsible for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport and realized with the assistance of the International Office of HETFA.

Győr

During the implementation of the project, all partners seek to find buildings, spaces and venues that can be converted into community spaces and develop a plan in order to implement this aim. Before the closing of the project, the establishment of Youth Councils is also envisaged in partner towns formalizing the subsequent dialogue between the youth and policy-makers. The SporTown project, implemented under Key Action 3 (Structured Dialogue – Meetings between young people and decision-makers in the youth field) of the Erasmus+ Programme, is well-suited for the Veszprém’s endeavour to be actively involved in European cultural processes and to strengthen its international relations. This is a key priority now, when Veszprém is qualified for the 2nd round of the European Capital of Culture 2023 call.

European Capital of Culture – a chance to be renowned throughout Europe

The title European Capital of Culture (ECoC) represents one of the most prominent cultural events in Europe. The cultural capitals programme of the European Union is aimed at exploring and developing European culture and enhancing European identity.

The first European Capital of Culture was Athens in 1985; since then around 60 cities have hosted the title. After 2010, when Pécs was chosen as European Capital of Culture, in 2023 a Hungarian city can boast the prestigious title again.

The applications of the seven Hungarian candidate cities were evaluated by a committee of 12 independent cultural experts; ten of them are delegated by EU institutions, while the other two members are designated by the Hungarian Ministry of Human Resources. Out of the seven Hungarian applicant cities, Debrecen, Győr and Veszprém can continue the competition after the first round of evaluation. They are among the most important cities in Hungary from cultural, economic and administrative aspects; of course following Budapest. However, on a European scale they are considered small and medium sized cities. This type of settlements faces a particular crisis across Europe, as capitals and big cities are the centres of technological and economic development and transformation of the 21st century. Thus the stake is great: the winner city will not only get the opportunity to be successfully involved in the European cultural competition but also has the chance to reinterpret itself and become more inclusive, liveable and attractive for today’s young people.

HETFA Research Institute is actively involved in the preparation of Veszprém’s application. András Csite, managing director of HETFA emphasized: “The ECoC title, and more specifically putting culture and creative industry in the focus can be an opportunity to make a real difference in offering attractive living and working conditions for the young and highly educated generations.”

Veszprem

The ECoC title signifies a long-term commitment as the whole preparation process can cover up to 6-7 years. However, it is worth all the effort, money, time and energy as if a city is well-prepared for this challenge. Cultural and creative industries can become the main drivers of social and economic development. From this point of view, applications can be of outstanding importance as they offer useful ideas for organizing the future of cities.

The ECoC title also provides a great deal of opportunities to extend and tighten international cooperation. However, a cultural capital can engage permanently into European cultural-artistic networks only if it uses the title-driven attention and development resources for achieving goals for which the city struggles anyway. It is worth developing a concept that can be used even if the city does not win the title.

For instance, the application of Veszprém incorporates the ECoC program into the framework of the city’s cultural strategy for 2018-2030. It identifies six major themes, including clever heritage protection, enhancing the community building power of culture and boosting creative industry. Most of the planned developments will be realized regardless of the success of the project, for example, the creation of a creative quarter in the Aranyos valley of Veszprém and the formation of a new cultural quarter in the outskirts of Veszprém. The city applies together with the Balaton region and the Bakony region; this unique approach offers many new opportunities and close cooperation within the region.

Debrecen

The aim of Debrecen – that applies together with Tokaj – is to be a catalyst of the city’s cultural diversity and international dialogues. For example, they would like to bring Hungarian and foreign students living in the city closer to each other through arts and gastronomic programs. During the ECoC year, a number of initiatives will be launched in order to establish international exchanges and cultural partnerships.

The basic idea behind the concept of Győr is the flow. Based on the flow theory of Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, the city aims to create a common flow experience where local people can feel the power of the community. The application of Győr strives to ensure that the audience will be not only a passive recipient, but also an active participant of the ECoC programs.

The ambition and ideas of Debrecen, Győr and Veszprém are different; however, there is a common feature: all of them seek to find their place on the cultural map of Europe and are well prepared and motivated to do for it. Their applications, which are qualified for the 2nd round of the ECoC 2023 call, can be further developed until the end of 2018; the final winner will be announced at the beginning of 2019.