Town Twinning

The EU Town Twinning Programme was established by the European Parliament in 1989 (although many Twinning Associations have been in existence for much longer).

It is aimed at fostering new and existing links and networks between partner organisations in Europe in view of the important contribution that co-operation and exchanges between local communities can make to European integration.

The scheme aims to improve interaction between individual citizens of the European Union and to encourage their active and participatory European citizenship in line with the Commission’s White Paper on Governance. Its main objectives are to contribute towards the overall awareness of cultural and linguistic diversity and a common cultural heritage in Europe, while strengthening specific educational aspects in twinning activities. Its ultimate aim is to contribute to increased life-long learning in Europe, thus stimulating the knowledge economy.

Somerset has almost 50 local Town Twinning Associations with partners from various European countries. Most towns are twinned with French partners, but there are also partnerships with the Czech Republic, Jamaica, Germany, Italy and Romania.

In late 2005 Somerset Twinning Associations were offered the opportunity of having their own individual page on the Somerset Gateway, an on-line information portal. Individual Twinning Associations will now be able to have their own data, including photos, dates of meetings etc., publicly displayed and updated.

Funding

The EU provides funding to enable Twinning Associations to visit and receive their partners. The grant funds exchange visits and conferences or training seminars.

Towns and Cities in the 25 EU Member States are eligible, along with those in countries applying to join the EU. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland may also take part if they negotiate an agreement with the Commission.

Meetings of Citizens

Meetings of citizens must be aimed at raising awareness of European integration and facilitating exchange of experience. They must have an educational programme relating to major European issues, for example the future of the European Union, Enlargement, European citizenship, the European institutions, the European social model, equal opportunities, fundamental rights, the fight against racism and xenophobia, environmental issues, cultural diversity, young people and education, disabled people in society, the local economy, employment and partnerships. To apply for this type of project, a Meeting of Citizens (Form A) must be completed in full.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/towntwinning/call/call/form_en.pdf

User Guide for Citizens Meetings (PDF file)
http://europa.eu.int/comm/towntwinning/call/call/ga06_en.pdf

Please remember to fill in a legal entity form and a financial identification form
http://europa.eu.int/comm/towntwinning/call/meet_en.html

Town Twinning Programme

The European Parliament established the EU Town Twinning Programme in 1989 to provide more active support for this type of international cooperation, but many European Twinning Associations have of course been in existence for much longer.

The Programme is aimed at fostering new and existing links and networks between partner organisations in Europe in view of the important contribution that co-operation and exchanges between local communities can make to European integration.

The scheme also seeks to improve the interaction between individual citizens of the European Union and to encourage their active and participatory European citizenship in line with the Commission’s White Paper on Governance.

Its main objectives are to contribute towards the overall awareness of cultural and linguistic diversity and a common cultural heritage in Europe, while strengthening specific educational aspects in twinning activities.

Its ultimate aim is to contribute to increased life-long learning in Europe, thus stimulating the knowledge economy.

Accordingly, the EU provides funding to enable Twinning Associations to visit and receive their partners. The grants fund exchange visits and conferences or training seminars.

Towns and Cities in the 27 EU Member States are eligible, along with those in countries applying to join the EU. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland may also take part if they negotiate an agreement with the Commission.

The applications should be submitted by the local authority or twinning committee of the host town and sent by post Projects are selected according to a variety of criteria:

involvement from an EU member town or municipality;
at least ten participants per town or municipality;
themes of European relevance;
the majority of a town’s delegation not consisting of local government officials;
educational content rather than meetings primarily consisting of festivals, sporting or folklore events.

Preference is given to applications fitting these criteria, as well as meetings that might lead to further twinning projects. Geographically disadvantaged towns are also favoured, as well as meetings involving small municipalities (fewer than 5000 inhabitants), young people and disadvantaged groups.

From January 1st 2006, all projects (including remaining open files from 2004 and 2005) are managed by the “Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive (EACEA) Agency for the management of Community action in the fields of education, audiovisual and culture”.

During the new programming period 2007-2013, town twinning will be funded as part of the new European Citizenship Programme, whose

Action I “Active citizens for Europe” involves citizens directly, either through activities linked to town twinning or through other kinds of projects.

http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/citizenship/index_en.htm

NB Somerset has about 50 local Town Twinning Associations with partners from various European countries. Most towns are twinned with French and/or German partners, but there are also partnerships with the Czech Republic, Jamaica, Italy and Romania.