The European Capitals of Culture between employment and voluntary work

The title of European Capitals of Culture represents a major opportunity for hosting cities to boost culture and tourism, but also to generate wider impacts on urban and regional development. Claims of long-term effects from a cultural, social and economic point of view are becoming increasingly common, though harder to evidence. Moreover, the global economic downturn has resulted in an employment crisis, making the issue of job creation a top priority in the agenda. The article investigates the role of the ECoCs in fostering economic and social long-term effects from different perspectives. First, it explores the capacity of creating employment far beyond the event year, with a special focus on recent trends that see creative industries as a mean to restart the local economy. Then, the analysis moves on to the growing importance of event volunteering in terms of training opportunities and social inclusion. Finally, reflections on opportunities for ECoCs in terms of education and training are provided through positive examples and strategies.