From an Idea to a Network - Town Twinnings since 2017
Our previous twin towns
Since the launch of Energiewende PartnerStadt, local authorities in Germany and Europe have been working together to promote climate protection, renewable energies and local participation. Here is an overview of the project phases to date.
EWPS 1.0 – Pilot program (2017)
The pilot phase of Energiewende PartnerStadt began in spring 2017. Nearly 70 pioneering German municipalities expressed interest in participating. From the applications received, five pairs of cities were invited to the kick-off event at the Federal Foreign Office, where they presented their ideas for local energy transition projects. The expert jury ultimately selected two pairs of cities for further workshops: Friedberg (Hesse) & Entroncamento (Portugal) and Grevesmühlen (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) & Laxå (Sweden).
In November 2017, bilateral workshops were held on site in Entroncamento and Laxå. In addition to an intensive exchange of ideas, the first concrete project ideas for implementation in the following year were also developed.
Grevesmühlen (MV) ⇄ Laxå (Sweden)
In cultural exchange since 2006; in the pilot phase: photovoltaics and communication with the population
Friedberg (HE) ⇄ Entroncamento (Portugal)
Exchange on photovoltaics on public buildings; rail transport; e-mobility; lighting concepts in public spaces
EWPS 2.0 (2018 – 2021)
During this period, the project was carried out in cooperation between the HUMBOLDT-VIADRINA Governance Platform and the AEE. As practical partners, the Association of Municipal Enterprises (VKU) and the German Association of Towns and Municipalities (DGStB) supported the activities, which facilitated knowledge and technology exchange between German and European municipalities through bilateral workshops, multilateral online meetings, and both a kick-off and a closing conference. dieser Zeit lief das Projekt in Kooperation zwischen der HUMBOLDT-VIADRINA Governance Platform und der AEE.
Braunsbedra (ST) ⇄ Kozani (Greece)
A focus on structural transformation, the use of bioenergy and alternative fuels in the local district heating network, and the recultivation of former open-cast mining areas for tourism.
Alheim (HE) ⇄ Dunleer (Ireland)
Key priorities include improving energy efficiency in the building sector and advancing climate education.
Marburg-Biedenkopf (HE) ⇄ Koscierzyna (Poland)
A long-standing partnership predating EWPS, built around joint approaches to climate education for students and effective knowledge transfer.
Pfaffenhofen (BY) ⇄ Galway (Ireland)
Citizen participation, socially inclusive neighbourhood management, and power-to-gas projects.
Steinhagen (NRW) ⇄ Woerden (Netherlands)
A town twinning partnership dating back to 1972, a rapid transition away from natural gas, a holistic approach to the energy transition, a sustainable mobility transformation, and improved energy efficiency in the existing building stock.
EWPS 3.0 (since 2024)
The AEE and the Berlin Governance Platform (until 2025) are once again supporting municipalities in strengthening cross-border exchange through renewable energies.
The program includes: bilateral workshops and digital dialogue formats; expert exchanges to accompany joint projects – from heat planning to wind and solar projects; Kick-off and closing events; networking meetings for all previous Partnerships; a networking trip to Brussels. This support enables participating municipalities to learn from each other and advance the energy transition together.
Stuttgart (BW) ⇄ Bălți (Republik Moldau)
Focus: Climate protection and heat planning.
Greifswald (MV) ⇄ Goražde (Bosnien und Herzegowina)
Energy efficiency and management, climate friendly heat supply.
Düsseldorf (NRW) ⇄ Chernivtsi (Ukraine)
Photovoltaics, waste-to-energy plant heat recovery potential, climate positive wastewater treatment plants.
Hoyerswerda (SN) ⇄ Novovolynsk (Ukraine)
Increasing energy efficiency, modernization of existing buildings, structural change, decentralized resilient energy supply.
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