With more than 2200 city partnerships between France and Germany, there are more partnerships of this kind between both partner countries than anywhere else in the world.
The strong network between twin cities on a political, economic and social level is a fundamental aspect of the Franco-German partnership and provides a framework for a fruitful and close collaboration between many local associations, organizations and institutions in French and German twinned cities. Together with your French or German partners you are therefore able to independently organize exciting youth exchange programs while at the same time strengthening the bonds that hold our civil society together.
During an exchange with a partner city or region the participants have an opportunity to experience life in France or Germany first hand. While staying with host families and experiencing their everyday life, young people gain valuable experience and new perspectives.
During an exciting project with their peers, they can engage in work related to the protection of our environment, civil society engagement, the history and future of Europe or more general issues that are socially relevant.
The FGYO supports you in organizing youth meetings, while funding group events and voluntary individual internships in the partner city or region as well as preparatory language courses.
The projects give young participants a unique chance to develop a personal relationship with the Franco-German friendship while actively engaging in city partnership and social projects.
Take responsibility for our civil society in your own hands and engage in projects related to the Franco-German partnership to foster further European unification.
Not many children and young people have a direct relationship with the dramatic historical events that unfolded in Europe during the 20th century. Through a Franco-German exchange you can give them the chance to contribute to a historical reappraisal in a local or regional context.
If you are organizing an encounter at a partner’s location, the travelling organization needs to apply for the FGYO-grant by sending two copies of the application form to one of the French associations, the Association française du Conseil des Communes et Régions d’Europe (AFCCRE) and the Fédération des Associations Franco-Allemandes pour l’Europe (FAFA), or to one of the Central Offices (Länderzentralstellen) in Germany.
If you are organizing the encounter in different location, it is the organization based in the country where the meeting takes place that needs to send the application.
If the city is not a member of one of these associations, the application should directly be sent to the FGYO.
Franco-German Youth OfficeExtracurricular exchanges - City partnershipsMolkenmarkt 110179 BerlinGermany
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has a data base about city partnerships and also helps arranging appropriate partnerships with cities in France or Germany.