A twinning is the coming together of two or more communities seeking, in this way, to take action with the aim of facing their challenges and developing between themselves closer and closer ties of friendship and support.

It can take place between small villages, towns, counties, big cities.  It can focus on a whole range of issues, and can involve a wide range of ‘actors’ from two or more twinned communities.  A good twinning partnership can bring many benefits to a community and the municipality.  By bringing people together from different parts of Europe, it gives an opportunity to share problems, exchange views and understand different viewpoints on any issue where there is a shared interest or concern: local economic development, social inclusion, sustainable development, art and culture, young people, citizenship, local public services, solidarity.

How Town Twinning Started

The modern idea of town twinning in Europe was born as a grassroots initiative in the aftermath of World War II to heal the wounds of that traumatic conflict.  It is one of the most visible and lasting ways of bringing people from different countries together under the European banner, which is why the European Union Institutions have been supporting it since 1989.

Twinning Today

Today, thousands of twinning links in Europe create a powerful and robust network of citizens who are playing an important role in promoting mutual understanding, and is a conduit for cultural exchanges across the social spectrum.  EU support for town twinning injects a structuring effect and strengthens the strategic direction, as well as the European content, of such activities.  Another major advantage of town twinning is that it involves large numbers of citizens directly and helping people from different EU countries to create a strong feeling of belonging and of a common European identity.  To find out more, visit the Europa website.

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) works closely with the European Commission (DG Education and Culture) to promote modern, high quality twinning initiatives and exchanges that involve all sections of the community.

Ten Tips to Making Sure Your Town Twinning is Successful

• Find the right partner(s) – make sure there is a genuine match 
• Involve the whole community
• Define common objectives that the whole community agrees to and that both towns agree to
• Create a support structure
• Work with schools and young people
• Include a European dimension
• Address the major issues affecting the community and work closely with existing structures
• Plan a sustainable relationship
• Look to the future and build the basis for new exchanges
• Develop a budget and look after the finances

If your town is thinking of setting up a twinning, please contact Europe Direct Cumbria for advice and information about EU sources funding your town twinning.

Cumbria Town Twinning Groups

Sedbergh Town Twinning Group
Twinned with Zrece (Slovenia)
David Collier
6 Main Street,
Sedbergh,
Cumbria, LA10 5BN
Telephone: 01539 621501
Website: Sedbergh Town Twinning

Workington & District Twinning Association
Twinned with Val de Reuil (France) and Selm (Germany)
Andrew Dunbabin (Chair)
28 Curwen Street
Workington
Cumbria, CA14 4BD
Telephone: 07885 333752
Website: Workington Town Twinning