The increasing influence of the EU means that cities and municipalities have a greater interest in being heard, as decisions made on a European level increasingly affect our lives and actions locally, and therefore municipal politics in many respects. Almost 70% of all decisions made by European institutions must now be observed and implemented on a municipal level. The topic of Europe is therefore of great significance in the work of the Cottbus/Chóśebuz city administration in the four-level system of municipality, region, country and EU. Our city should have the skills to co-determine European politics, know about and successfully apply for European funding programmes and observe European regulations in our administration.

Town twinning work is of particular importance for municipal European work. No institution brings people in Europe together quite like town twinning projects. They represent exchange in action and play a role in overcoming prejudices and maintaining a shared dialogue, and this means political content as well as socio-cultural exchange. Municipal partnerships can support important social and political aims. The many city partnerships of Cottbus/Chóśebuz underline the city’s international commitment.

Just as international relations tasks overlap, the intersections between the employees’ collaboration in this area are more fluid.