The idea of city partnerships within Europe was born after World War II. Twinning is an important tool for building active European citizenship and awareness of a common identity. It enables the cities involved to cooperate regularly and systematically in many areas of city life. Cooperation can take a number of forms, e.g. regular ongoing contacts between municipal representatives, exchanges of experience, transfer of know-how, consultations, internships, joint projects. In many cases, the twin cities inspire each other (e.g. in the social, cultural etc. areas).
An important part of twinning is the direct involvement of residents, which strengthens mutual understanding. With the support of the city and using its contacts, but also independently of the city, a number of exchanges and joint activities take place outside the municipal sphere in the cultural and sporting spheres, in the field of education, non-profit organisations, etc.
Twinning can take several forms: