This book analyzes the impact of the European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) program on cities, cultural policies, and communities. Featuring contributions presented at the 2024 University of Networks of the European Capitals of Culture (UNeECC) International Annual Conference held in Timisoara, Romania, this book discusses best practices, innovative solutions, and strategies for ensuring the lasting impact of ECoC program. The papers in this book reflect the diverse range of topics explored under the topic “Impact and Legacy of the European Capitals of Culture Program” including, community building, cultural growth, governance methodologies, intercultural communication, forgotten cultural heritage, agriculture as form of cultural communication, eco-tourism, and sustainable economic development, among others. Since its inception in 1985, the European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) program has been a cornerstone of the European Union’s cultural policy, highlighting the richness and diversity of cultures across Europe. The University Network of European Capitals of Culture (UNeECC), established in 2006, has closely followed the evolution of the ECoC program enhancing the role of higher education institutions in cultural development and providing a collaborative space for interdisciplinary research and dialogue. Through conferences, academic publications, and knowledge-sharing initiatives, UNeECC has contributed to a deeper understanding of the cultural, social, and economic impact of the ECoC program.
Marco Valeri is Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior, Faculty of Economics at Niccolò Cusano University, Italy. He received PhD in Strategic Management and Organizational Behavior from "Tor Vergata" University, Italy. He is Lecture in Applied Organizational Behaviour at Xenophon College, UK. He is Visiting Professor at University of Information Science and Technology (UIST) "St. Paul The Apostle", Macedonia. He is Adjunct Professor at Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management, School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events, Taylor's University, Malaysia. He is Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Economics at Lovely Professional University (LPU), India. He is Associate Researcher in Strategy, Magellan Research Center, School of Management, Iaelyon Business School, Jean Monet University, France. He is Honorary Associate Professor, University of Pannonia, Hungary. He is member of several editorial boards of international tourism journals, reviewer and editor of several handbooks on entrepreneurship, tourism and hospitality management (Emerald Publishing, Springer Publishing, Routledge Publishing, Edward Elgar Publishing, De Gruyter Publishing, IGI Global Publishing and Cambridge Publishing).
Adina Palea is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Communication Science and Vice-President of the Senate of the Polytechnic University of Timisoara, Romania. Her research is in communication sciences, especially in the field of public relations, but also new trends in communication for sustainability or artificial intelligence in public relations.
László Imre Komlósi is Professor Emeritus of Leadership and Communication at the Kautz Gyula Faculty of Economics and Director of the International Doctoral Program in Business Administration at the Széchenyi István University, Győr, Hungary. He is also a founding member and vice president of the University of Network of the European Capitals of Culture (UNeECC. Professor Komlósi is active in creating and enhancing an international network for European Capitals of Culture (ECoC)by encouraging a socio-economic and cultural policy related research among culturally engaged faculty members, postdocs and, especially, doctoral students.
