české budějovice ecoc 2028: (perma)culture

České Budějovice is preparing for 2028, when it will become the European Capital of Culture. We are looking for cultural projects that bring innovation, appeal to the general public, respond to European challenges, and are based on the local context.

The theme of the (Perma)culture Open Call 2026 is (Perma)culture as a content framework, not as an aesthetic style or a single theme that needs to be illustrated. (Perma)culture is a way of thinking, planning and collaborating that respects the principles of caring for the Earth, caring for people, and caring for the future (responsible use of resources). This is reflected in the content of the project, its implementation, and its impact.

Projects applying to the Open Call should engage with the concept of (Perma)culture in a conscious and concrete way. The aim is not for the project to deal thematically with agriculture or ecology, but to reflect the principles of (Perma)culture in one or more of the following dimensions:

PROCESS

• How is the project created and who is involved? We prioritize participatory approaches, cooperation with local actors, communities, schools or European experts from various fields. Transparency, fair conditions and shared responsibility are important.

CONTENT

• What topics does the project open up and how? Projects can reflect a person's relationship to place, landscape, society or memory, respond to current challenges or develop local cultural specifics in a European context.

IMPACT

• What will remain after the project is completed? (Perma)culture emphasizes long-term benefits – skills development, strengthening community ties, new forms of collaboration, methodologies, infrastructure, or a change in approach to creation and cultural production.

(Perma)culture Open Call 2026 seeks projects that contribute to an open, sustainable and collaborative cultural ecosystem and which perceive culture as a tool for caring for place, people and the future.