Leeds has added its name to the roster of European cities pledging to make their cultural activity more sustainable.
Councillor Eleanor Thomson (Lead Member for Museums & Galleries) attended last week's Eurocities Culture Forum in Birmingham to sign the ‘Eurocities/Lille Call to Action for Low Carbon and More Inclusive Culture’, launched in June 2023. The call to action is an initiative, led by the city of Lille and Eurocities, inviting mayors from across Europe to commit to the development of local cultural policies and events that prioritise sustainability and inclusivity. It is structured around 16 priorities, categorised into two pillars: the ecological transition of local cultural policies and events, and inclusion in culture and through culture.
The Call to Action is a significant step towards a more sustainable and inclusive cultural landscape across Europe. By working together, cities can lead the way in driving positive change and fostering a greener and more inclusive future.
Eurocities is a network of over 140 of Europe’s largest cities. The network provides a platform for sharing knowledge and exchanging ideas so that cities can respond to common issues that affect the day-to-day lives of Europeans. Leeds is a member, jointly with the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University.
Eurocities has a number of subject-focused forums and working groups, one of which is culture. The annual Eurocities Culture Forum brings together political representatives and senior cultural officials from Europe's biggest cities.
If you’d like to know more about how Leeds engages with European partners on the sustainability agenda, contact international.relations@leeds.gov.uk.