Local Partnerships (News)
This page containst the latest information about the activities of our group and the partnership activities of its members.
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Leeds marks relationship with its German "twin" city Dortmund at Dortmund Square
Posted by David Boxen
German dignitaries attending UKREiiF have visited Dortmund Square to see how Leeds City Council plans to continue celebrating its twinning relationship with the North Rhine-Westphalia city.
The German Honorary Consul, Regina Rosenthal, and Christian Klose, Investor Support Manager - Economic Development Agency Dortmund, were shown around the city centre landmark by Deputy Leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, Councillor Jonathan Pryor.
Councillor Pryor showed the visitors the recently installed place name signage and discussed the council’s plan for new wayfinding boards in the square, which celebrates Leeds’s twin city relationship with Dortmund.
Leeds has been officially twinned with Dortmund since 1969. However, the relationship dates to 1949, when the two cities started cooperating to nurture international peace, friendship, and understanding, following years of conflict between the UK and Germany.
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The Mayor of Konstanz, twin town of Richmond, Surrey, explains why "twinning" still matters
Posted by David Boxen
Date: 4 June 2025
Author: Uli Burchardt
Title: Mayor of KonstanzThis year marks a very special moment for Konstanz: the reaffirmation of our twinning relationships with Richmond upon Thames and Fontainebleau. In times like these - marked by uncertainty, change, and global challenges - these longstanding bonds between cities carry more meaning than ever.
Our twinning with Richmond goes back decades. It’s rooted in a shared belief that peace, understanding and friendship are best built through direct human connection. It began as a gesture of post-war reconciliation. Today, it stands as a living commitment to European cooperation, democratic values and mutual respect.
When we think about international partnerships, we often picture formal agreements or ceremonial events. But twinning is something far more vital. It is about people. It’s about the students who visit each other’s schools and realise how much they have in common. It’s about artists who collaborate across languages and cultures. It’s about residents who meet, host, and share life experiences that stay with them for a lifetime.
Konstanz is a city where borders are a part of daily life. We sit directly on the edge of Germany and Switzerland. We see, every day, how openness, cooperation and shared responsibility can work in practice. Twinning reflects this same spirit – crossing borders, building bridges and enriching our communities from the ground up.
This reaffirmation is not just a formality. It is a signal – to our citizens, and to the wider world – that we remain committed to each other. That we believe in dialogue over division, in friendship over isolation. In an era of global challenges – climate change, social cohesion and political polarization – these partnerships are not just ‘nice to have’. They are vital. Because no city stands alone.
In Richmond, we see a city that shares many of our values: a deep respect for culture and heritage, a commitment to sustainability, and a strong sense of community. The work that is done here – between schools, artists, young people and civic groups – is a great example of what international cooperation looks like when it is rooted in real relationships.
To everyone in Richmond: thank you for the warm welcome you have extended to our delegation over the years and for the genuine friendship you continue to offer. We are proud to walk this path with you – and excited to write the next chapter of our partnership together.
Let us reaffirm this twinning not just in words, but in action. Through exchange, collaboration and trust. Because strong cities make a strong Europe – and strong friendships make all the difference.
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Leeds-Dortmund - German language initiative
Posted by David Boxen
January 2025: Geoff Tranter, born in Leeds but a long-term resident of Leeds’s twin city, Dortmund, has developed a Beginners’ German Course for English-speaking visitors from Leeds to the Twin City. The course is built around the needs of a British visitor to Germany and presents practical and cultural information about the city of Dortmund. His work was generously funded by the local Government of North Rhein-Westphalia. Recent promotion of the course attracted interest from over 200 citizens of Leeds.
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West Midlands - European Capital of Innovation award
Posted by David Boxen
In November 2024 the West Midlands won 3rd place as European Capital of Innovation under the Horizon Europe programme which the UK has now re-joined.
For more info:
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Bristol - EU Pilot Cities Programme
Posted by David Boxen
In March 2023 Bristol was awarded €1.5 million (£1.3 million) following a successful bid for a new innovative climate action project through the NetZeroCities Pilot Cities Programme from the EU Pilot Cities programme.
Together with 52 fellow Pilot Cities across Europe, Bristol – the only UK city to be awarded funding – is using the grant to further accelerate climate action and rapidly decarbonise the city. The successful Bristol consortium partners are Bristol City Council, Bristol and Bath Regional Capital, Bristol Green Capital Partnership and Abundance Investment.
For more info:
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Bristol - EU Pilot Cities Programme
Posted by David Boxen
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Bristol - EU Pilot Cities Programme
Posted by David Boxen
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Bristol - EU Pilot Cities Programme
Posted by David Boxen
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Bristol - EU Pilot Cities Programme
Posted by David Boxen
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Bristol - EU Pilot Cities Programme
Posted by David Boxen