18/12/24 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission revealed on Monday 16 December that the cities of Lviv (Ukraine) and Nikšić (Montenegro) have been shortlisted to become European Capital of Culture 2030 in an EFTA/EEA country, candidate country or potential candidate, by a panel of 10 independent experts. The two cities submitted their bids before the 16 October deadline and now have until the summer of 2025 to finalise their projects. The jury will recommend a winning city in autumn 2025, which will succeed Novi Sad (Serbia, 2022), Bodø (Norway, 2024) and Skopje (North Macedonia, 2028). As far as the Member States are concerned, in 2030 it will be the turn of Belgium and Cyprus: Leuven, Molenbeek and Namur have already been shortlisted (see EUROPE 3512/18). The title brings cultural and economic benefits to applicants, provided they propose a sustainable cultural and long-term development strategy. (NP)