The announcement from the selection panel for the European Capital of Culture, which was issued Tuesday afternoon, is a strong recommendation to the EU that it declare Umeå as European Capital of Culture 2014. The formal decision will be made at a later stage.

— As a result a new phase begins. Now we will have to work purposefully to establish networks with Sweden's ambassadors and cultural attachés in Europe. We will contact our sponsors, large and small, and mobilize cultural offers from northern Sweden that will reach out to the European audience, states Sven-Olov Edvinsson (C), group leader and member of the Steering Committee for Umeå 2014.

The bid to become the European Capital of Culture is part of Umeå's long-term developmental strategy up to the year 2050. This distinction will speed up investments and growth. Culture and sports will have greater opportunities for development partnerships with Europe and the rest of the world. Umeå will be more attractive to students, in-migrants, entrepreneurs, artists and creators, as well as investors.

Umeå's objectives for the venture European Capital of Culture are to: promote human growth, strengthen the role of culture as a driving force for sustainable development and reinforce the international relations and dimensions of cultural life.

Umeå 2014 was carried out in cooperation with many municipalities, cultural institutions, associations and clubs, and businesses in Västerbotten, Norrbotten, Västernorrland and Jämtland and will contribute to cooperation and development throughout the northern region.