Following the proposal in the Decree-Law of 26 December 2023, which established the creation of the Évora 2027 Association, the founding members approved the articles of association this afternoon at the D. Manuel Palace in Évora and elected the board of the General Assembly, chaired by the Évora Municipality, with the Alentejo Regional Tourism Board as vice-chair and the University of Évora as secretary. This body will have a rotating membership and will work as the installation commission until the Association's Board is chosen.

The Directorate - the Association's executive body - will include, in particular, the Executive Board and the Artistic Board, which will be recruited through a call for tenders, the basic procedures for which will be launched shortly. Until the board is appointed, the Mission Team will be transferred to the Association, remaining in place and continuing to carry out the work required to implement the initiative.

The Évora 2027 Association's organisational structure includes the Regional Culture Council, an advisory body composed of organisations whose activities fall within the association's scope, well-known figures from the arts and culture, science and innovation, education, the economy, the third sector, and the environment, and members of civil society who want to contribute to the initiative of the Évora European Capital of Culture 2027. A Scientific Committee and Geração_27, a citizen advisory body for diversity and equity, are also part of the Regional Culture Council.

The setting up of the Association will make it possible to "take a qualitative leap forward in the preparation and construction of the European Capital of Culture, namely by involving local agents and preparing both immaterial and material projects that are associated with the European Capital of Culture; naturally, we count on everyone's collaboration for a project that we hope will make a significant contribution to the development of Évora and the Alentejo and to the country's position within the European Union," stated Carlos Pinto de Sá, Mayor of Évora.