to safeguard and promote the diversity of cultures in Europe and to highlight the common features they share as well as to increase citizens' sense of belonging to a common cultural area;

to foster the contribution of culture to the long-term development of cities in accordance with their respective strategies and priorities.

to enhance the range, diversity and European dimension of the cultural offering in cities, including through transnational cooperation;

to widen access to and participation in culture;

to strengthen the capacity of the cultural sector and its links with other sectors;

to raise the international profile of cities through culture.