- The Association of Popular Universities of Extremadura brings together more than 200 popular universities in the region
The Association of Popular Universities of Extremadura (AUPEX) has officially joined Cáceres’ bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2031, thus joining a wide network of support that continues to grow inside and outside the region.
AUPEX is the representative entity of the Popular Universities of Extremadura and brings together more than 200 popular universities distributed throughout the autonomous community, constituting one of the largest networks of participation, training and sociocultural revitalization of the Extremadura territory. Specifically, there are 222 centers, 84 in the province of Cáceres and 138 in Badajoz, which contribute to the cultural, educational and social development of the municipalities, promoting citizen participation, lifelong learning and territorial cohesion.
The accession of AUPEX represents important support for the Cáceres bid, especially for the values it shares with the European Capital of Culture project: the democratization of access to culture, the active participation of citizens, social inclusion and the creation of opportunities from the cultural field.
For Rafa Mateos, mayor of Cáceres, this accession is further proof that the Cáceres 2031 candidacy is a project “that was born in Cáceres for all of Extremadura”, also emphasizing that Aupex is committed “to bringing culture closer to the rural world.” The president of this entity, Miguel Sansón, has stressed that culture is “a driver of citizen participation” and, therefore, Aupex wants to show “its most energetic support for the bid”
A growing support network
Cáceres 2031 highly values the incorporation of an entity with a track record of reference in Extremadura and a broad capacity to connect with the territory and its inhabitants. The collaboration with AUPEX will allow us to continue strengthening the participatory nature of the candidacy and expand its reach throughout the region.
With this new incorporation, there are now more than 150 Extremaduran and international entities, institutions and organizations that have formalized their adherence to the Cáceres 2031 bid, consolidating a diverse alliance that reflects the social, cultural, educational and business support for the project.
Cáceres’ bid for European Capital of Culture continues to gather support and build a collective proposal that aspires to place the city and Extremadura at the center of the European cultural panorama, through collaboration, innovation and citizen participation.
