The BRUGGE programme included 156 projects and 1227 activities, with 1.5 million people participating in activities. Around 9% of Belgians participated in BRUGGE 2002. According to stakeholders the most lasting cultural impact of BRUGGE 2002 was the infrastructural projects, especially by repairing monuments and creating new buildings.

Salamanca, located in western Spain, became the country’s third European Capital of Culture.  Salamanca’s culture programme for the title year included 1100 events which attracted around two million visitors. According to estimations, the number of overnight visitors in Salamanca increased by around 22% from 2001.