The European Regions of Culture Campaign is investigating the possibility of creating a parallel scheme to the European Capital of Culture, which will celebrate and connect rural regions. Despite the fact that Europe's rural regions make a substantial contribution to the richness and diversity of European culture, they are not eligible to apply for ECOC status.
The ERCC network is working towards:
- exchanging ideas
- facilitating cultural partnerships
- developing projects and
- promoting the campaign.
This process started with a Culture Fund Pilot project in 2009. Network partners come from Cornwall (UK), Kujawsko-Pomorskie (Poland) and South Ostrobothnia (Finland) to undertake a pilot project in 2009 with funding from the European Commission Culture Programme. Associate partners come from Bulgaria, Eire, and Denmark.