The Republic of Moldova has officially launched the process of selecting the city that will represent the country in the European competition for the European Capital of Culture 2033 title. Interested cities and municipalities can submit their applications until October 4, 2026.
The National Office for Cultural Development (ONDC) announced the national competition, which will determine Moldova’s candidate for the European selection stage.
All cities and municipalities in the country are eligible to apply, regardless of their size. Local authorities must present a large-scale cultural program and demonstrate that they have the administrative and financial capacity to implement it.
The selection process will consist of two stages. First, an independent panel will evaluate the submitted applications. The shortlisted cities will then present their projects to the jury.
The jury will assess the candidates based on six criteria, including the program’s long-term contribution to urban development, its European dimension, cultural and artistic quality, community engagement, and implementation capacity.
The nine-member jury will include representatives of the Ministry of Culture, the National Office for Cultural Development, civil society experts, an international expert in European cultural programs, and a representative of local authorities appointed by the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM).
The city selected at the national level will go on to represent the Republic of Moldova in the European competition for the European Capital of Culture 2033 title.