In June 2018, the process that would lead to deliver a Strategic Plan for Culture was initiated. It was an open and participatory process of analysis, consultation and strategic reflection that aims at structuring the local public policies until 2030 and has been the basis for the candidacy process of the city of Aveiro to become the European Capital of Culture in 2027.

Aveiro believes that this candidacy is a strategic process that cannot be limited neither by the memory of the past nor the celebration of the present. Instead, it leads to a shared vision and construction of the future based on the values of this European program:

• Preserve and promote culture diversity in Europe by enhancing shared similarities as well as the sense of belonging to common cultural area;
• Promote cultural contribution for a long term development for the cities according to their strategies and priorities;
• Reinforce diversity, outreach and European dimension of cultural offer in the cities, namely through international cooperation;
• Broaden access and participation in culture;
• Reinforce the capacity of the cultural sector and its connections with other equally important sectors;
• Enrich cities’ international profile through culture and arts.

We believe in this process of building a collective and shared vision for a sustainable, competitive and inclusive city.

• • We believe that Culture and Creativity can be relevant engines for city development.
  • We believe in the major role played by heritage and by the democratization of culture as a tool for active and engaged citizenship.
  • We believe in the power of citizens creativity, both native Aveiro people and those who adopted the city as their own.
  • We believe in the strength of networks and partnerships, either local, regional, national and international.

• We ambition a more developed, competitive, inclusive and sustainable city and region, where Culture is the centre of the collective living.