Twin Cities Program

The Twin Cities Program is a joint Polish–German and Czech–German program carried out by the Batory Foundation in partnership with the Robert Bosch Foundation in Germany and NGO Information Centre in the Czech Republic. The program, initiated and financed by the Robert Bosch Foundation, aims to develop and encourage cooperation between twinned cities, towns and municipalities in neighbouring countries through supporting joint projects and activities of local organisations on both sides of the border.

Both Poland and the Czech Republic have several hundred Polish-German and Czech-German twin towns and municipalities. Local authorities sign agreements, and are the key entity in defining the form of partner relations, sometimes indeed involving actual and effective cooperation, albeit sometimes being no more than an artificial paper entry. As part of the Twin Cities Program – implemented simultaneously in Poland and the Czech Republic – we wish to encourage non-governmental organisations to take action to boost cooperation between twin towns and municipalities. We hope that such action will bring authentic cooperation between citizens of neighbouring states, stimulate local communities, and better cooperation with the local government.

In Poland, the Program targets Polish non-governmental organisations operating in towns and municipalities that have partnership agreements with their German counterparts. Such organisations could apply for grants to support projects implemented in collaboration with German orga-nisations from twin towns and municipalities. Projects may concern various areas of public life, though they should respond to the actual needs of local communities and utilize mutual experie-nces of the partners.

Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, with an international Jury of Polish, Czech, and German experts supervising the two-tier application assessment procedure. As a result of the competition, in 2003, 32 Polish and 15 Czech initiatives received funding. The awarded Polish projects span a vast array of activities: from domestic violence prevention, youth and senior communities’ integration, and promotion of professional activity of women in a united Europe, to the projects devoted to the cultivation and caretaking of common historic venues, organisation of cultural or sports events serving the purpose of overcoming national stereotypes and prejudices and involving large community groups from both partner towns or cities.

The Program is financed by the Robert Bosh Foundation.

Grants:		PLN 662,116
Meetings and grant committees sessions:		PLN 14,246.50
Operational costs:		PLN 85,197.00
Total:		PLN 761, 559.50
Lower Silesian Foundation for Sustainable Development Wrocław	Partner organization: Umweltzentrum Dresden e.V., Dresden Project: Inhabitants of Wrocław and Dresden: to Cooperation on Bicycles – joint conferences, study visits and cooperation in organizing European Day Without Cars.	PLN 27,404
Angelus Silesius Meeting Center Wrocław	Partner organization: Hatikva, Bildungs und Begegnungstatte für jüdische Geschichte und Kultur Sachsen e.V., Dresden Project: Education in Wrocław – organization of an exhibition which will be presented both in Wrocław and Dresden.	PLN 18,564
Międzyrzecz Municipality Międzyrzecz	Partner organization: Deutsch-polnisches gesselschftliches Komitee der Partnersmitarbeit, Bad Freienwalde/Oder Project: Cultural Heritage of Latin Europe – Borderland Artists’ Forum in Międzyrzecz – Polish-German open air painting for professional and amateur painters and their work exhibitions at museum in Międzyrzecz and at Exhibition Office in Gorzów.	PLN 15,470
Folk Sport TeamsMunicipal Association Namysłów	Partner organization: Organisation der deutschen Sportmannschaften – Nebel-schuetz e.V., Nebelschuetz Project: There are More Bonds than Divisions in United Europe – series of integrative meetings of Namysłów and Nebelschuetz inhabitants with cultural and educational events and international soccer games between Polish, German, Czech and Hungarian teams.	PLN 13,702
Krotoszyn Society of Polish-German Cooperation Krotoszyn	Partner organization: Freundeskreis Dierdorf – Krotoszyn e.V., Dierdorf Project: Shared History, Shared Future – arranging and renewal of historic evangelical graveyard in Krotoszyn together with series of classes for students from Krotoszyn and Dierdorf.	PLN 23,647
Lubuskie Association for Women Baba Zielona Góra	Partner organization: Lila Villa Frauenzentrum Cottbus e.V. Project: Series of Polish-German workshops concerning women (health, unemployment, entrepreneurship, social activity) – continuation of a project launched in 2002.	PLN 17,238
Voluntary Fire Brigades Lewin Kłodzki	Partner organization: Freiwillige Feuerwehr Diedersdorf, Germany, Voluntary Fire Brigades from Czech Republic and Slovakia. Project: Integration without Frontiers on the Amber Trail – international rescue competition among youth teams from Poland, Germany, Czech Republic and Slovakia; organization of International Local Government Forum – a conference of local government representatives from Lewin Kłodzki’s partner cities in Germany, Czech Republic and Slovakia.	PLN 22,100
Sasinia Cultural Society Ostróda	Partner organization: Kreisgemeinschaft Osterode Ostpreussen e.V., Osterode am Harz Project: Shared Heritage – cooperation of Ostróda and Osterode inhabitants in arranging three Evangelical graveyards in Ostróda, Tyrów and Wielowieś; organization of literary and fine arts contest, review of films presenting various cultures and religions and a conference session Hans Helmut Kirst –Born in Ostróda.	PLN 20,111
Regional Polish-German Society Zielona Góra	Partner organization: Deutsch-Polnischer Verein, Cottbus Project: Polish-German Fine Arts Workshops – organization of Polish-German sculpture and painting workshops for schoolchildren in Zielona Góra and Cottbus.	PLN 17,680
Regional Centre of Economic Initiatives Otmuchów	Partner organizations: Bundnis für Menschlichkeit und Zivilcourage e.V., Bernkastel-Kues from Germany: Gymnasium Lanskroun, Lanskroun from Czech Republic Project: History, Culture, Tradition and Tolerance: Pillars of European Home – cooperation of youths from Poland, Czech Republic and Germany in renewal of local Jewish graveyard in Otmuchów, joint educational excursions and cultural events.	PLN 21,216
Salos Salesian Sport Organisation Czaplinek	Partner organization: Verein für Lebensübungen Bad Schwartau v. 1863. e.V., Bad Schwartau Project: Tournament– celebration of 10-years cooperation of Czaplinek and Bad Schwartau including: sports competition among partner cities and competitors from two more German municipalities, artistic fair, handmade paper workshops for youth and the exhibition of the paper craft in museums of both cities.	PLN 12,818
Słubice Music Society Słubice	Partner organization in Germany: Mediationstelle Frankfurt/Oder Project: School Mediation – integrative meetings, intercultural communication trainings performed by informal group Cooltura Konfliktu together with Słubice Music Society and Mediation Counselling Service from Frankfurt/Oder – continuation of a joint project launched in 2002.	PLN 14,144
Our Europe Association Wrocław	Partner organization: Paneuropa – Jugend Deutschland e.V. Landesverband, Sachsen, Dresden Project: Active Women in United Europe – workshops for women of Dresden and Wrocław on seeking employment; Successful Woman, Creativity in Life and Work international conference.	PLN 36,244
Forum of the Economic Development Association Ciechanowiec	Partner organization: Partnerschaftsverein Rosbach e.V., Rosbach v.d. Hoehe Project: Saving Lutheran Graveyard in Ciechanowiec – arranging and renewal of 19th century German graveyard by Polish and German youth.	PLN 13,260
Kościerzyna – Colbe Club Association Kościerzyna	Partner organization: Klub Coelbe-Kościerzyna e.V. Project: Waste Sorting – a Way to Cleaner Environment – a study visit of Kościerzyna representatives in Coelbe to learn about German experience in nature protection.	PLN 22,100
Interclub Femina Women Society Zgorzelec	Partner organization in Germany: Frauenzentrum Görlitz, Görlitz Project: Safe in Neighbour Country – Polish and German women integrative meetings, Polish and German language courses in both frontier cities, seminars on breaking stereotypes and prejudices and women workshops entitled: Be Safe in Crisis Situation.	PLN 35,360
Ferry Literary Association Gorzów Wlkp.	Partner organization: Deutsch-Polnisches Literaturbüro Oderregion e.V., Frankfurt/Oder Project: Getting to Know Pro Europa Viadrina Euroregion through Literature of Our Neighbours – development of methodical scripts for secondary school teachers on important problems of Polish and German societies exemplified with texts written by authors from Euroregion.	PLN 12,155
Self-help Centre in Lublin Association Lublin	Partner organization: Bürgermedienzentrum Bennohaus, Münster Project: Intergenerational Dialogue – study tour of youth and senior representatives of Lublin to a partner organization in Münster, integrative meetings, joint trainings and workshops for seniors and youths in Lublin based on a German model.	PLN 24,310
Association for the Development of Brody Brody Żarskie	Partner organization: ZAK (Zukunft, Aktivität, Kreativität) e.V., Forst Project: Transborder Postcart, Brody-Frost – joint efforts to re-establish historical post trail in the frontier area, opening of stage coach stations and tourist trail.	PLN 21,658
Association for the Development of Debrzno Debrzno	Partner organization: Förderverein Burgruine Freienfels e.V., Weinbach-Freienfels Project: History Binds not Divides – a medieval tournament of knight’s knowledge, competence and rites organized to celebrate 650th anniversary of city of Debrzno.	PLN 19,006
Bethlehem Stop Disabled People Aid Association Kraków	Partner organization: Bildungswerk Sachsen der Deutschen Gesellschaft e.V., Leipzig Project: Disabled – Able Citizens of Europe – series of study visits and workshops in both countries for specialists and volunteers working with people mentally disabled.	PLN 30,940
Heart for Children Association Stargard Szczeciński	Partner organization: Weisser Ring e.V., Stralsund Project: Domestic Violence and Its Treatment study visits in Poland and Germany to learn various ways of working with violence victims. Polish-German Conference on domestic violence and its treatment in Stargard.	PLN 12,155
Third Age University Association Gorzów Wielkopolski	Partner organization: – Urania e.V., Frankfurt/Oder Project: Bridges Over Europe – seniors from Poland and Germany cyclic meetings, study visits and lectures – continuation of a project launched in 2002.	PLN 13,260
Association to Support European Union Integration Jelenia Góra	Partner organizations: Backpacker – Bautzen e.V., Bautzen in Germany, Cieplice Lovers Association from Poland Project based on German experiences in establishing a meeting centre for inhabitants and backpackers in Cieplice – series of study visits, seminars and working meetings of local government and inhabitants of Cieplice, Jelenia Góra and Bautzen representatives to develop plan for centre’s operation.	PLN 20,774
Silesian Theatre of Dance Bytom	Partner organizations: Haus Regernbogen – Wohnstätte für Menschen mit Behinderungen im Ev. Johanneswerk.e.V., Recklinghausen, Germany, Bytom Association of Support to Children and Youth, Poland Project: Merry Swing – Polish-German integrative workshops, preparation of a joint show with participation of disabled actors to be performed on stages of Bytom and Recklinghausen.	PLN 50,830
European Education Society Zielona Góra	Partner organization: Frauenzentrum Cottbus e.V. Projec: Together in United Europe – integrative meetings on both sides of the border entitled Let’s Get to Know Ourselves, Our Cities and Neighbourhoods, seminars and workshops on European problems and social and professional advancement of women.	PLN 19,890
Free Polish University Society Legnica	Partner organizations: Volkshochschule Wuppertal, Germany, Akademia Vzdelavania Kosice, Slovakia Project: Organisation of a session Poland in European Union Seen by Young Poles, Germans, Czechs and Slovaks.	PLN 17,680
Zamość Cultural Association Zamość	Partner organization: Erasmus-Widmann Gymnasium, Schulzentrum West, Schwäbisch Hall Project: For Our Common Home and Bright Future – joint educational and cultural events: conference on Polish-German connections in Zamość, seminars and workshops in Zamość and Schwäbisch Hall on youth activation through theatre performance, photo exhibition and recitation contest in Schwaebisch Hall and theatrical performances of Polish and German troupes in both cities.	PLN 24,310
Roman-Catholic Parish of St. Joseph the Worker Zgorzelec	Partner organization: Görlitz Caritas Project: Eatery at St Joseph’s – establishing an eatery for homeless and poor with the aid of Polish and German volunteer group.	PLN 24,752
Polish Scouting Association (ZHP)Kraków – Nowa Huta	Partner organization: Kreisjugendring Nürnberg Stadt (KJR), Nürnberg Project: I Can Change Something – actions to activate youth, working meetings of people who work with youth in both twin cities, series of seminar and workshops for young leaders.	PLN 19,890
Żuławy Sport SocietyNowy Dwór Gdański	Partner organization: Stadt Sport Verband, Hennef Project: Recreation and Sport in European Integration – series of integrative and sport events for inhabitants of both twin cities.	PLN 19,448