CEMR launches a Matchmaking Platform for Twinning cooperation during the Leaders’ Summit in Karlsruhe
- CEMR launches a new Matchmaking Platform to promote city-to-city cooperation and international partnerships during the Leaders’ Summit in Karlsruhe, Germany
- The Bridges of Trust Community is launched in partnership between CEMR and U-Lead to foster new partnerships and support international municipal cooperation
- The CEMR Leaders’ Summit gathered over 200 international leaders from across Europe, emphasizing collaboration for sustainable and inclusive development
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) unveiled an innovative Matchmaking Platform to enhance city-to-city and local cooperation during its Leaders’ Summit in Karlsruhe. This high-profile event gathered over 200 international leaders, representing towns, regions, and cities from EU and Ukranian countries.
The platform, building on CEMR’s seven-decade legacy of town twinning, allows municipalities, cities, and regions to form partnerships sending a matching request to potential peers across Europe in just a few minutes.
First introduced at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin and now open to all local governments in Europe, the platform is also meant to strengthen partnerships with Ukrainian municipalities to secure its vital recovery support and advance through its integration into the EU.
Building on its long-standing collaboration with Ukrainian local governments, CEMR in partnership with U-Lead with Europe have announced the creation of the Bridges of Trust Community. The project’s positive impact expanded beyond its initial scope, demonstrating the need for wider engagement and collaboration.
CEMR President Gunn Marit Helgesen underlined the Matchmaking Platform strategic importance: “Local leaders are at the forefront when it comes to adopting the acquis communautaire — the foundational laws of the EU. It is crucial to support them in this process to ensure it is carried out equitably, avoiding future disparities between urban and rural communities”.
Christoph Schnaudigel, CEMR Co-President, RGRE President and Mayor of Karlsruhe, highlighted: “City-to-city cooperation has already shown its power as a tool for post-war reconstruction, reconnecting people divided by war and cultural gaps, and fostering peace. Today, we are committed to putting our network at the service of every town in Europe, small or large, to connect, share experience, and work on their dream projects together.”
Stefano Poretti, Councillor of Arconate, Italy, a city twinned with the Ukranian city of Zlatopil, emphasized the Bridges of Trust impact: “In a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, local governments remain steadfast in promoting cooperation and solidarity. Thanks to Bridges of Trust, we have exchanged knowledge and experiences that will leave a lasting mark on my political journey.”
Media opportunities:
Journalists can interview key participants, including mayors and local leaders, and explore the matchmaking platform in detail.
Register to the Platform – here
Secretary General
