During the new period 2007-2013 the European Union encourages town twinning within the new town twinning programme "Europe for citizens".

HJO MUNICIPALITY TOGETHER WITH HJO FOLK HIGH SCHOOL HAS THE INTENTION TO CARRY OUT SO CALLED TOWN TWINNING CITIZENS´MEETINGS. Several municipalities in Europe have a close relationship with each other and are tied to each other through formal town twinning agreements. The partnership leads to exchange of thoughts, ideas and the engagement in new projects.The Town Twinning movement started in Europe close upon the end of the second world war, paralell to the progress of the european integration process.

The Town Twinning collaboration is dependent on a voluntary commitment from the citizens, in collaboration with their local authorities and associations. It encourages active citizens and the exchange of experiences about different questions of common interest therefore increases the awareness of the advantages in finding concrete solutions at European level. It also provides people with unique possibilities to get to know the every day life in other European countries. Thus, the town twinning network creates conditons to increase the mutual understanding between citizens, promote the sense of being a part of the European Union and develop a feeling of a Éuropean identity.

There are different grants within the town twinning programme, but in Hjo the focus will be on the so called citizens´meetings. There many distinct citizens and citizens groups from the twin towns are brought together to develop strong, informal and personal ties between these citizens.

There are three important aspects:

Engagement for the European integration.

Meeting between citizens in the twin towns should strengthen the participators´ engagement for a European integration.

Relationship ties in Europe

Meetings between citizens in the twin towns should promote mutual understanding and friendship between the people from the twin towns.

Active citizenship

Meetings between citizens in the twin towns should offer an experience of active participation of the citizens at a local level.

The advantage of a town twinning collaboration is that possibilities to exchange ideas and experiences concerning common problems are created. You find new ways of working and establishing contacts to enable the start of collaboration projects, which are financed partly by the European Union, with the purpose to promote the local development and growth. You learn about another country´s organisation, economy, infrastructure and school system etc.

Read more about the Town Twinning Programme " Europe for citizens" under the links to the left!