Izmir, which was rewarded the European Award in 2022, took one more step towards strengthening the democracy of local governments and was included in the European Capital of Democracy Network. Izmir holds the title of being the first and only city to participate this network from Turkey.
Izmir, which applied to the "European Capital of Democracy Title Contest" managed by the European Capital of Democracy Organization (ECoD NPO), completed the third and final stage of the contest.
Izmir, which is included in the International European Capital of Democracy Cities Network, after the final stage of the application process carried out in association with Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Foreign Relations and Tourism Department and Izmir Planning Agency is taking firm steps towards becoming the European Capital of Democracy in the coming years. Izmir holds the title of being the first and only city from Turkey to be included in the European Capital of Democracy Cities Network.
The Cooperation for the improvement of democratic implementations
Izmir participated the European Capital of Democracy Cities Network with many projects that strengthen the local democracy, such as the Emergency Solution Team conducted by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, and the Second Century Economics Congress. Izmir, which have successfully completed the deadline, took its place in the International European Capital of Democracy Cities Network, a platform that will collaborate with other democracy cities to share its experiences and develop democratic implementations.
European Capital of Democracy Cities Network is growing
The cities that have completed the final phase with Izmir this year and are newly included in the network are Bratislava, Cascais, Dıraç, Gdańsk, Leipzig, Tirana and Vienna. One of these cities will receive the title of European Capital of Democracy in the upcoming period. Antwerp, Barcelona, Bologna, Braga, Burgos, Brussels, Cascais, Linz, Metz, Opole, Sarajevo, Rzeszow and Valongo had participated in the European Capital of Democracy Network in previous years.
It will host a one-year program
If Izmir becomes the European Capital of Democracy in the coming years, it will host an annual program of festivals and events designed to improve and reinforce local democracy. Many international conferences, trainings, courses, seminars and contests will be held within a year.
It consists of 21 cities
The European Capital of Democracy Cities Network consists of 21 cities. The European cities that are members of the network include Barcelona, Bologna, Brussels, Cascais, Linz, Sarajevo, Bratislava, Gdańsk, Leipzig, Tirana and Vienna.
The European Capital of Democracy Title Competition, managed by the European Capital of Democracy Organization (ECoD NPO), targets to promote and expand democratic participation and democratic governance on a European scale, strengthen social cohesion and new democratic practices, and fortify local government democracy.