Cities and provinces

The number of Dutch municipalities or provinces with an international cultural policy is growing. This policy sometimes falls under a ‘cultural affairs’ department; occasionally, the ‘external relations’ department manages this policy.

Generally speaking, there are not many funding opportunities for international projects at the local or provincial level. Still, it makes sense to check whether a city has partner cities in foreign countries or carries out programmes which are intended to enhance the city’s international profile and which local cultural organisations may join in on.

VNG International (International Co-operation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities) is the expertise centre regarding municipal international policy.

The following site includes a list of twinning arrangements: http://www.stedenbanden.nl/detail_page.phtml?page=home.