Charnwood Borough Council - Leading in Leicestershire

Town twinning first started in the 1950s as a way of building strong community links across the European borders following the second world war.

It quickly developed as a way of establishing friendships across the nations giving individuals, schools and other establishments the opportunity for learning about the culture, language and lifestyle of similar communities in other countries.

Today, twinning in Charnwood sees these ideas thriving and developing with the nine local twinning associations fostering links with fourteen vibrantly differing towns across Europe, India and Poland.

Their regular contacts offer a wealth of opportunity for everybody to get involved, whether you want to act as a host/guest in a family exchange, set up your stall at an international market like the Belgian Braderie, visit the St. Nicholas festivities in Epinal, send your young people for a period of work and study in France, enjoy walking and picnicking in the forest of South East Poland or just enjoy the opportunity to practise your language skills.

The Twinning Associations all have very active social lives, with regular meetings to plan activities, and fundraising events to support their hospitality and overseas trips.

Global problems often have local solutions. Internationally via Agenda 21, local communities are engaged in sustainable development. In Europe, through the EU employment strategy, local government is a key partner in developing sustainable jobs for local people.

Policies agreed internationally and in Europe have a direct impact on local government and the communities that they serve. Although national governments collectively agree these policies, more often than not, it is local authorities who implement them on the ground.

Local government is the closest sphere of governance to people and has a vital role to play in the creation and delivery of European and international policy. Local government across the globe has a wealth of experience and good practice across a wide range of policies.

The Local Government International Bureau (LGIB) is the European and international arm of the Local Government Association.

Local Twinning Links

These are the current international links:

A leaflet containing the contact details of the relevant twinning associations can be obtained from the Mayor's Office.