There are some Covid-19 related changes this year.

However, Cork City Council has opened online applications for its Twinning Grants, putting out a call to organisations, groups and individuals to share their ideas on how to promote the twinning links between Cork City and any of its six twinned cities: Swansea (Wales), Coventry (England), Rennes (France), Cologne (Germany), San Francisco (USA) and Shanghai (China).

The Twinning or Sister City concept was developed in Europe following the Second World War as a way of removing old enmities which had developed in the war years.

“Cork City Council’s twinning grant has enabled Corkonians to be a part of international poetry exchanges, marathon runner exchanges, and international academic collaboration amongst other diverse activities.” said a spokesperson for Cork City Council.

“Covid restrictions mean that applications this year must comply with some related terms and conditions but this will surely make for some innovative ideas for strengthening our twinning ties in a time of global pandemic.”

Interested in applying? The nature of the proposed activity may be community-based, voluntary, social, cultural, educational and/or sporting or of general social and economic benefit.

Applications can be submitted online here and hard copies of the application form are available on request by contacting gillian_lucas@corkcity.ie

The closing date for submission of application forms is no later than 5pm, Friday, April 16th, 2021.