How are the winners selected?
> Evaluation Step 1
All submitted, admissible and eligible applications are evaluated against a set of established criteria by a panel of independent experts. The evaluation by the independent experts determines which cities are the best performers. Moreover, on the basis of their evaluation, the Commission establishes a shortlist of cities that are invited to present their candidatures in front of a European Jury.
> Evaluation Step 2
In the second evaluation step, representatives of the finalist cities present their candidatures and the programme of activities planned for their title year in front of the European Jury.