Twinning

What is twinning?

The concept of Twinning, also known as Sister Cities, began in Europe after the Second World War as a visionary way to build bridges between communities. It was designed to promote peace, friendship, and mutual understanding by encouraging people from different cultures to connect and collaborate.

Twinning celebrates diversity, fosters international cooperation, and creates opportunities for learning and growth.

Cork City is proud to be twinned with six vibrant cities around the world:

• 1958 Coventry, UK 
• 1982 Rennes, France
• 1984 San Francisco, USA
• 1988-Cologne, Germany
• 1994 Swansea, Wales  
• 2005 Shanghai, China

Cork also maintains partnerships with Wuxi, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen in China.

These partnerships are active, living relationships that bring people together through shared projects, cultural exchanges, and educational initiatives.

Why twinning still matters?

Twinning opens up exciting opportunities for collaboration across a wide range of areas. It celebrates culture by sharing arts, heritage, and traditions, and supports education through student exchanges and partnerships with our universities. It helps promote Cork as a vibrant tourist destination while welcoming visitors from around the world. In science and technology, twinning encourages innovation and the exchange of ideas. It also plays a role in building inclusive, connected communities through social development, and opens doors for economic growth by creating links for trade and business. Through these connections, Cork continues to grow as a globally engaged, forward-thinking city, offering residents meaningful ways to learn, connect, and grow.

Twinning & Diaspora Grant: 

What are they?

The Twinning Grant Scheme offers a unique opportunity for Cork-based organisations to:

• Develop meaningful international links
• Internationalise their work or community engagement
• Collaborate on projects that are educational, cultural, sporting, social, or economically beneficial

Whether you're a school, community group, sports club, or cultural organisation, this grant can help bring your international ideas to life.

How do I apply?

Applications for the 2026 Twinning & Diaspora Grant Scheme are now open, and we’d love to hear from you!

Cork City Council’s Twinning & Diaspora Grant is now open and will remain open until Friday 13th February 2026.

Speaking about the launch, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy, said:

“The Twinning Grant provides opportunities for Corkonians to develop meaningful connections with our international partner cities.

Last year the grant supported exchanges in music, education, sports and business, and I look forward to seeing what ideas people bring to the table this year.

This year, we are also expanding the scope of the grant to any member of Cork City’s global diaspora. Corkonians have made a huge contribution to their chosen homes all around the world, and this grant is an opportunity to support their work and connectivity with Leeside”.

This annual grant supports projects that strengthen Cork City’s international relationships and global connections. For 2026, the grant includes exciting new opportunities:

• Open to Cork diaspora worldwide who wish to engage with Cork City through cultural, educational, business, community or other sectors
• Activities connected to Cork’s six twinned cities: Rennes, Cologne, San Francisco, Shanghai, Coventry, Swansea, or its three partner cities: Wuxi, Hangzhou, Shenzhen.
• Town twinning between Ballincollig and its twins of Saclay in France or Mechterstädt in Germany.

Applicants can apply for funding to cover up to 50% of total project costs. For example, if a project costs €3,000, the maximum grant awarded will be €1,500. All remaining costs are the responsibility of the applicant.

Key Details: 

• Applications open Friday 16th January 2026 - Friday 13th February 2026
• Funding covers up to 50% of eligible project costs
• The 2026 Twinning & Diaspora Grant will be open for application by the Diaspora 
• Travel is not required – virtual and local projects are welcome

Applications must be submitted online here with the closing date for submission of application before close of business 13^th February 2026.

Cities of Welcome: Connecting New European Communities

In November, Cork City welcomed groups from its twinned cities of Rennes and Cologne for "Cities of Welcome: Connecting New European Communities".

‘Cities of Welcome: Connecting New Europeans’ presented an opportunity for migrant representatives, civil society groups, private sector and policy makers across the three European cities to meet in-person and discuss the opportunities and challenges which migration presents to cities. 15 migrant representatives travelled from Rennes, France, and 10 migrant representatives travelled from Cologne, Germany to meet with 15 migrant representatives from Cork, Ireland.

The conference fostered the understanding that while migration is a European issue, local authorities have a front-facing and important role in engaging with and connecting the new European communities who call these cities home.

The programme also included a run with the Cork-founded Sanctuary Runners. The Sanctuary Runners enable Irish residents to run alongside, and in solidarity with, migrants, asylum seekers and refugees thereby fostering friendship, positivity and respect while bringing greater awareness to the migration system.

The programme was supported by the European Commission’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) and by EU50 funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade.