Unique features in the political culture of cooperation - the Pecs2010 European Capital of Culture project

Drawing upon the European Capital of Culture (ECoC), Pecs2010 project, the study neither intends to re-draw nor from a new angle re-tell the historical context of the project (between 2004 and 2007 the author himself, as one of the leading managers was an influential figure of the day-to-day happenings), but wishes to visit the ECoC-related collaborations (or even the absence of co-operation as such), the lessons possibly drawn from these, with a focus on the civic aspect of the project. In terms of the chronological line, the discussion begins with the crucial civic conference of October 2004 held in the "Europe House" (later on Pecs2010 Management Centre), from which it tackles the major junctions of events, constantly asking whether any such co-operation between the NGO sector and the town hall was launched that could/can develop into decisive new, long-lasting strategies in the future. In the heart of the study the analysis of the heritage and characteristics of Hungarian political culture, and the idea of 'trust' as the most desired element of any new "co-operation culture" are found.