Town twinning

Since its inception in 1951, The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has been an advocate for Twinning, recognising its potential to connect communities, cultivate mutual understanding, and drive collaborative efforts. Today, these programmes extend beyond cultural exchanges, encompassing the sharing of best practices and the joint development of solutions to shared challenges.

According to a CEMR study published in 2023, the nature of Twining has evolved as the main cooperation tool for local and regional governments to tackle multiple issues faced by Local and Regional Governments nowadays.  

To bolster subnational government Twinning endeavours, CEMR is pleased to announce the recipients of its grant scheme funded under the REALISE project, financially supported by the European Commission's CERV programme.

The grant scheme not only supports the promotion of Twinning arrangements but also empowers national associations to undertake related initiatives that address specific challenges. Proposals with merit are eligible for funding of up to €30,000. 

CEMR expresses its delight in selecting the following Local and Regional Government Associations for the REALISE 2024 grant programme: 

• Associazione Italiana per il Consiglio dei Comuni e delle Regioni d’Europa (AICCRE) - Italy 
• L'Association Française du Conseil des Communes et Régions d’Europe (AFCCRE) - France 
• Települési Önkormányzatok Országos Szövetsége (TÖOSZ) - Hungary 
• Asociaţia Comunelor din România (ACoR) - Romania 

Twinning serves a leading role in fostering connections between Local and Regional Governments. This collaborative approach facilitates the tackling of a wide range of pressing issues, encompassing urban development, climate change, service improvement, social inclusion, and migration.  

Additionally, Twinning initiatives promote peace and solidify European values and belonging. 

CEMR extends its sincere gratitude to all associations that participated and submitted compelling proposals. We encourage you to stay informed of forthcoming updates on these exciting projects. 
 

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