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Cities Ahead

The Cities Ahead programme (2023-2025) supported ambitious European cultural and creative cities in attaining greater international visibility and cultural appeal. During a two-day academy, renowned experts imparted practical knowledge on international cultural urban development. Through a worldwide open call, cities received additional stimuli from the cultural and creative industries.
Cities Ahead is a good opportunity for cities to reflect on what resources they have.
Charles Landry

Charles-Landry © Charles-Landry

Programme

The programme was divided into two phases:
  • Cities Ahead Academy: The Academy consisted of expert input and workshops designed to train local administrations and cultural actors in international cultural urban development. The two-day Academy was organised locally in the participating city and offered three freely selectable modules. It was aimed at employees from cultural administration, economic development, urban planning, offices for international relations and tourism, as well as staff from local cultural institutions.
  • Cities Ahead Open Call: The optional Open Call was a global initiative to promote innovative and participatory creative projects in the participating cities. It provided an opportunity to involve artists, creatives, and the local population in the urban development process.

Modules

  • Building Creative City Ecosystems
    Establishing cities as cultural centres and developing creative districts
  • Leveraging Culture for Sustainability
    Utilising the potential of culture for sustainability-oriented urban development
  • Crafting Cultural Strategies
    Strategic planning in cities and regions
  • Joining International Networks
    Harnessing international initiatives for urban development
  • Working with Cultural Data
    Collecting data and using it for urban development
  • Enabling Cultural Participation
    Utilising citizen participation and involving communities in urban development

Participating cities

  • Cities Ahead Bratislava

    The Cities Ahead Academy Bratislava was organised by the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava on 26 and 27 November 2025 at TU-BA.

    The Cities Ahead Academy Bratislava was organised by the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava on 26 and 27 November 2025 at TU-BA. © Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava © Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava

  • Cities Ahead Bamberg

    The Cities Ahead Academy Bamberg was organised by the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with the City of Bamberg on 20 and 21 October 2025.

    Cities Ahead Academy Bamberg © Stadt Bamberg, Jürgen Schraudner © Stadt Bamberg, Jürgen Schraudner

  • Cities Ahead Essen

    In partnership with the City of Essen’s culture department, the Goethe-Institut hosted the Cities Ahead Academy Essen at St. Gertrud Church’s former community hall on July 3 and 4, 2025.

    Cities Ahead Academy Essen © Jörg Hemmen © Jörg Hemmen

  • Cities Ahead Krefeld

    The Cities Ahead Academy Krefeld was hosted by the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with the City of Krefeld on May 19 and 20, 2025 in the old Krefeld Stadtbad.

    Cities Ahead Academy Krefeld © Dirk Jochmann © Dirk Jochmann

  • Cities Ahead Rüsselsheim am Main

    The Cities Ahead Academy Rüsselsheim am Main was organised by the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with the City of Rüsselsheim am Main on 04 and 05 March 2025.

    Cities Ahead Academy Rüsselsheim am Main © Volker Dziemballa © Volker Dziemballa

  • Cities Ahead Oldenburg

    The Cities Ahead Academy Oldenburg was organised by the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with the City of Oldenburg on 23 and 24 September 2024 at the Forum St. Peter Oldenburg.

    Cities Ahead Academy Oldenburg © Jörg Hemmen © Jörg Hemmen

  • Cities Ahead Málaga

    The Cities Ahead Málaga was organised by the Goethe-Institut in collaboration with Malaga City Council on 14 and 15 May 2024.

    Cities Ahead Acadamy 2024 in Málaga Photo: Álvaro Cabreras © Goethe-Institut Madrid Photo: Álvaro Cabreras © Goethe-Institut Madrid

  • Cities Ahead Göttingen

    The Cities Ahead Academy Göttingen was organised by the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with the City of Göttingen on 13 and 14 May 2024 at the Goethe-Institut Göttingen.

    Cities Ahead Academy Göttingen © Valentin Grüning © Valentin Grüning

  • Cities Ahead Hamm

    The Cities Ahead Academy Hamm was organised by the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with the city of Hamm on 29 February and 1 March 2024 at the Gustav-Lübcke-Museum Hamm.

    Cities Ahead Academy Hamm © City of Hamm © City of Hamm

  • Cities Ahead Bielsko-Biała

    The Cities Ahead Academy Bielsko-Biała was organised by the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with the city of Bielsko-Biała on 18 and 19 January 2024.

    Cities Ahead Academy Bielsko-Biała © City of Bielsko-Biała © City of Bielsko-Biała

  • Cities Ahead Logroño

    The Cities Ahead Academy Logroño was organised by the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with the Cultural Department of the City of Logroño and Museo Würth La Rioja on 28 April 2023.

    Cities Ahead Logroño © Lukas Miller © Lukas Miller

  • Cities Ahead Augsburg

    The Cities Ahead Academy Augsburg was organised by the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with the Department for Culture, World Heritage and Sport of the City of Augsburg from 1-3 February 2023.

    Cities Ahead Augsburg © Lukas Miller © Lukas Miller

Contact

Goethe-Institut e.V. | Cities Ahead
citiesahead@goethe.de

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