The Romanian city of Cluj – Napoca will be the European Youth Capital in 2015. The Romanian city was chosen from a short list of four candidates, which included Varna (Bulgaria), Vilnius (Lithuania), and Ivanovo (Russia).

Cluj – Napoca won the title for its program Share, which 'proved close cooperation with universities, civil society and other local partners,” according to Youth Forum. The Transylvanian city will be following a list of European Youth capitals including the Portuguese Braga in 2012, Antwerp in Belgium in 2011 and Torino, Italy, in 2010.

The title will be used as a means to promote Cluj – Napoca and Romania, while also promoting the youth perspectives. NGO projects, sports events, concerts will take place in the city in 2015. A map of all the unconventional places where these events can take place, such as the Railway Station and the International Airport will be prepared by the organizers, the Cluj – Napoca City Hall and an NGO called Pont. The same NGO has been supporting Cluj Napoca in its attempt to become the European Culture Capital in 2020.

Cluj – Napoca submitted its Youth Capital project earlier this spring. The European Youth Capital is an initiative started by the European Youth Forum, and will reach its seventh edition this year.

editor@romania-insider.com