Town-Twinning projects will raise awareness of the richness of Europe’s cultural and linguistic environment and promote mutual understanding and respect, contributing to the development of a respectful, dynamic and multifaceted European identity and the respect of common values, democracy and fundamental rights. Projects may address the following topics (the list is not exhaustive):

• The EU is built on solidarity  – Town-Twinning projects will help to overcome biases in national perceptions by fostering mutual understanding and by creating fora where common solutions can be discussed in a constructive way. Their aim should be to raise awareness of the importance of reinforcing the European integration process based on solidarity and EU values;
• Town-Twinning projects will give citizens the opportunity to express what kind of Europe they want – Debates supported under the Town-Twinning call should be based on the EU’s specific achievements and on lessons learnt from history and from European integration. They should also reflect on current trends and enable participants to challenge euroscepticism and to suggest possible actions that the EU could take to foster a sense of belonging to Europe, to increase an understanding of the benefits of the EU and to reinforce the EU’s social and political cohesion.

Projects may cover promotion of broad and inclusive participation in democratic processes and decision-making, including of children in matters that concern them and the promotion of their rights.

Projects may cover promoting awareness and building knowledge of EU citizenship rights, free movement of people and associated European common values and common democratic standards, making them more tangible for EU citizens. Projects may cover the promotion of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union at the national, regional and local levels when EU law is applied by domestic authorities, including by promoting awareness and sharing best practices especially in matters that concern them and the promotion of their rights.

Projects can also concern prevention activities and awareness raising by towns and local authorities in the field of domestic violence, as well as any form of violence against children, including (cyber-)bullying and harassment.

Projects may also explore methods for improving citizens’ democratic participation through cultural activities, including by drawing inspiration from or be related to the New European Bauhaus initiative. Projects aiming at benefiting not only the direct participants but also the citizens of the participating towns are particularly encouraged, as these can help to multiply the practical experience of the richness and diversity of the common heritage of the Union.

Activities related to Town-Twinning may include, among others:  workshops, seminars, conferences, training activities, expert meetings, webinars, awareness-raising activities, cultural events, festivals, exhibitions, gathering and consultation of (sex-disaggregated) data, development, exchanges and dissemination of good practices among public authorities and civil society organisations and development of communication tools and the use of social media.