Town twinning: Project funding
The partnership between Chemnitz and the twelve partner cities is brought to life through projects organised by associations, initiatives, institutions and citizens. The City of Chemnitz supports this exchange with an active funding policy.
To strengthen international cooperation, associations, initiatives, institutions, private and public organisations and Chemnitz residents can apply for grants for projects. Projects that strengthen the Chemnitz city partnerships can be subsidised.
Support for projects with twin towns
Explanatory video on the procedure
Application forms can be obtained from the Mayor’s Office.
City of Chemnitz
Office of the Lord Mayor
09.1 / European and International Relations, Protocol
Markt 1, 09111 Chemnitz
Telephone: 0371 488-1525
Send an email
The application should ideally be submitted to the Mayor’s Office two months before the start of the project.
The application must be accompanied by:
- a brief description of the project
- a declaration that, prior to submitting the application to the City of Chemnitz, all possibilities for grants from the state and the federal government have been explored and that there will be no duplication of funding from the City of Chemnitz.
The application must be submitted to the Mayor’s Office at least two months before the start of the project.
The application must be accompanied by:
- a brief description of the project,
- a financial plan broken down into planned income and expenditure,
- a declaration that, prior to submitting the application to the City of Chemnitz, all possibilities for grants from the state and the federal government have been explored and that there will be no duplication of funding from the City of Chemnitz.
Funding Guidelines
Funding is primarily available for initial contacts and anniversary celebrations with organisations from twin towns. Particular consideration will be given to projects focusing on youth, education and the development of young talent. For example:
- Exchanges between children’s and youth groups
- Cultural and sporting events, exhibitions
- Seminars, workshops, conferences and symposia
- Production of information material and publications
The funding opportunities are set out in the funding guidelines for town twinning.
Example projects
German-Polish European Summer Youth Exchange
2025 – Music – Łódź
The European Summer Encounter brought together young musicians and choir singers from Chemnitz and Łódź for a week of workshops, rehearsals, cultural activities and concerts. By making music together and learning new pieces, the participants forged friendships, strengthened intercultural understanding and experienced the value of European cooperation. The highlight of the project was an open-air concert on Theaterplatz, where the young artists presented the results of their collaborative work to a wide audience.
Grant recipient:
Sächsische Mozart-Gesellschaft e.V.
Purpose of the grant:
Accommodation and catering costs for the guests
2026: ‘Festival de la Poésie’ in Timbuktu
The ‘Festival de la Poésie’ is an annual cultural and educational festival held in Timbuktu, which celebrates poetry, literature and Mali’s rich literary heritage through workshops, competitions, exhibitions and performances.
Grant recipient: Chemnitz-TimbuktuPartnership e.V.
Purpose of the grant: Programme costs (including a creative workshop on ancient manuscripts)
2026: Athletes from Düsseldorf take part in the 14th Fichtelberg Cycle Marathon
Five cyclists from Düsseldorf took part in the Fichtelberg Cycle Marathon. The cyclists from Chemnitz took part in the Düsseldorf Cycle Marathon following an invitation from the Düsseldorf cyclists.
Grant recipient: Stadtsportbund Chemnitz e.V.
Purpose of the grant: entry fees and accommodation for the guests
2025: Exchange with the University of Manchester Choir
At the end of August 2025, 31 guests from Manchester arrived and took part in a week-long choir exchange alongside 110 people from Chemnitz. The trip concluded with a final performance at the Kreuzkirche. In return, 32 people from Chemnitz travelled to Manchester at the end of November.
Grant recipient: St Jakobi-Kreuz Evangelical Lutheran Parish
Purpose of the grant: Travel expenses for the guests