Over the past few days, the evaluation panel of 10 independent experts has chosen the two short-listed cities: Lviv (Ukraine) and Nikšić (Montenegro). One of the two cities will become the fourth European Capital of Culture in 2030.

The cities have now until the summer 2025 to complete their applications. The panel will meet in the autumn 2025 to recommend one city to become, in 2030, the fourth European Capital of Culture in an EFTA/EEA country, candidate country or potential country. It is difficult to find official reasons for this decision regarding the shortlist, and there are also very few reports from both Montenegrin and Ukrainian newspapers, despite the importance of this stage, which would be able to put two cities from very difficult political and social backgrounds at the centre of Europe.

We will only know when the evaluation panel report is published.

Ecocnews, through a petition that had collected almost a hundred signatories, had supported the need for a city in Ukraine to win the title of European Capital of Culture in 2030. And, of course, not because the other cities in the running did not merit it, but because the tragedy that Ukrainian citizens have been experiencing on a daily basis, every hour of the day and night, since the invasion by the Russian army into Ukrainian territory began. It would be a nice act if Montenegro postponed its candidature a little, and it would be a nice act on the part of the European Commission if it granted the title to Montenegro not in 2030, but in 2031 by approving a small change to the regulation (Or vice versa, Montenegro in 2030 and Ukraine in 2031).

At least that is how EcocNews thinks.

However, we are certain that this unprecedented short list will shine a further spotlight on the serious situation in Europe in terms of both democracy and peace between peoples. It is also somewhat the result of the small effort we are trying to make to transfer the values that are at the basis of our cultural identities to the cities, whether they are already in Europe or not.

Let's take a look at some news on the first candidacy dossiers of the two cities.
About Lviv, ancient Lviv, there is little or nothing online about the first dossier except a tweet from the mayor, Andriy Sadovyi, presenting the dossier entitled ‘Responsibility to be’. Lviv, ‘the city of the lion’ is a city of 717,500 inhabitants and is one of Ukraine's major cultural centres. The city is home to various industries and two institutions of higher education, the University of Lviv and the Lviv Polytechnic University (formerly the Lviv Technical University). Lviv is also home to a philharmonic orchestra and the Lviv Opera and Ballet Theatre, as well as the Lviv Conservatory. Since 1998, its historical centre has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Lviv will be the European Youth Capital in 2025 under the motto ‘Not easy, but on the move’.
With this programme, the city of Lviv aims to develop a support strategy for young people through local initiatives and international exchange programmes. When Lviv applied for the title in 2021, Ukraine was still at peace. The invasion of the country by Russia turned the original mission of the initiative into a call for solidarity, resilience and international support for the country and young Ukrainians.

For Nikšić "Open city" is the title of the first bidbook. Mato ULJAREVIĆ, Coordinator of the Initiative Nikšić 2030: “Inspired by Slade’s plan, the vision of the project Nikšić 2030 is based on the idea of a city open for new ideas and concepts, open for all differences and open for establishment of new and restoration of old connections. The city perceived as a square – space for meetings, communication, and connections. We connect to the rich European cultural heritage in our territory, with the nature that is around us and that we belong to, but also with the modern innovative practices. We also connect to each other in the community, we connect with other cities, with the region. And in the end, we connect with Europe. Preparing for the European Capital of Culture, we are developing cooperation with other cities all around Europe, particularly the ECC cities and candidates for the ECC title”.