A milestone week at the University of Montenegro — and, I’d argue, for cultural research in the Western Balkans.
In April 2025, I have met with the University Rector, the Vice-Rector for Cultura, the Dean of the Philosophy Faculty, and the Head of International Relations to lay the foundations for #Culturometer, the major research and evaluation programme planned around #Nikšić2030 as European Capital of Culture.
Early conversations with colleagues from the Sociology department in Nikšić and from the Mediterranean University in Podgorica point to the kind of cross-institutional research consortium that gives a framework like this its depth and credibility.
It is early days, but the shape of something serious is beginning to emerge.
As with #Liverpool2008 (Impacts 08) and #Bodø2024 (Monitor 2024), the decision to establish an independent, university-led evaluation framework is among the first and most significant strategic choices the Nikšić 2030 team has made since being awarded the title.
Another case worth noting here is #NoviSad2022 — the first Western Balkans ECoC — where local university researchers were engaged in documentation and monitoring, making the regional progression towards Nikšić all the more meaningful.
There is a growing tradition of cultural policy scholarship across the Balkans, but limited dedicated infrastructure for systematic evaluation. With Culturometer 2030, there is a real opportunity to establish Montenegro and its University as a centre of excellence — not only for this edition, but as a lasting research asset for the region.
As we know well from Liverpool, Bodø, and other cities, placing ECoC research and evaluation capacity within a university setting requires very careful governance consideration. The time invested now in establishing the right kind of research consortium pays dividends throughout: robust methodologies, a clear #theoryofchange with baselines, and thorough documentation of the entire process — so that the host city, region, and European partners can fully understand what it takes to deliver an ECoC that genuinely transforms place, strengthens cultural infrastructure, and secures long-term legacies.
#ECoCEvaluation | #culturalPolicyResearch | #impactOfCulture
