2025 (Falun)

The fourth C-City conference took place from June 2 to 5, 2025, in Falun, Sweden, and once again brought together delegations from all five partner cities: Gütersloh (Germany), Broxtowe (United Kingdom), Châteauroux (France), Falun (Sweden), and Grudziądz (Poland). The inter-municipal network C-City continues to pursue the goal of strengthening European cohesion through joint cultural, sporting, and social initiatives in the spirit of “urban diplomacy.”

A central theme of this year’s conference was the greater participation of young people in European projects. Among other things, the innovative concept of a European Youth Parliament was further developed, which aims to give young people from the partner cities a voice and bring European values to life. In a lively round-table discussion, young participants worked with the delegates to specify their mutual expectations and needs.

In various working groups, existing and new projects were intensively discussed, including:

• The C-City Music Night in June 2025 in Gütersloh with bands from the partner cities

• The planning of inclusive sporting events, such as a major swimming event in 2025 in Gütersloh and a European Olympics in 2026

• An exhibition of amateur art in February/March 2026 at the North Rhine-Westphalia state representation at the EU Parliament in Brussels

Cultural highlights included the youth choir’s performance at the Bergslagsmässen restaurant and the joint outdoor evening at Lake Stångtjärnsstugan.

The warm hospitality of the city of Falun, the committed cooperation between the partner cities, and the lively interest of all participants made the 2025 conference another strong impetus for the growing C-City network.

2024 (Grudziądz)

The third C-City Conference took place in June 2024 in Grudziądz, bringing together delegations from all five partner cities: Gütersloh (Germany), Broxtowe (United Kingdom), Châteauroux (France), Falun (Sweden), and Grudziądz (Poland). The goal of this intermunicipal network is to strengthen European exchange and foster closer ties between cities through cultural, sports, and social projects.

One of the conference highlights was the presentation of the first joint project: the multilingual cookbook “Cooking and Culture – Grenzenlos. Genuss. Geschichten.” This book combines recipes, stories, and images from the partner cities and will continue to be used in cooking courses and international events.

Another standout moment was provided by the C-City Artists: At the theater in Grudziądz, musicians from the partner cities captivated the audience with a thrilling concert. British singer Jeanie Barton, the Polish jazz band Taste, and the Gütersloh-based band The Sazerac Swingers got over 500 people dancing, creating an unforgettable experience.

In various working groups, participants developed concrete projects and planned future activities, including:

• International sports events in all partner cities
• A digital expo to be presented at the EU Parliament in the future
• Annual concerts featuring artists from the partner cities
• A digital museum showcasing the cultural diversity of the C-City cities
• A European Youth Parliament to connect young people

2023 (Châteauroux)

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2022 (Gütersloh)

With the ceremonial signing of the C-City Charter in five languages, a significant step toward European cooperation was taken in Gütersloh. Representatives from Broxtowe (United Kingdom), Châteauroux (France), Falun (Sweden), Grudziądz (Poland), and Gütersloh came together to form a unique intermunicipal network.

Culture and sports as unifying elements

Workshops on music, theater, art, sports, and culinary traditions led to the development of numerous joint projects. One of the most advanced initiatives is the concept of an international C-City cookbook, which will be complemented by gastronomic cultural events and digital formats. Additionally, a C-City running and cycling event is set to become an established format. A planned artist exchange program under the motto “Artists in Residence” will enable stays in partner cities, culminating in a joint exhibition. Moreover, a C-City Europe Tour featuring bands from all partner cities is in the works.

A strong foundation for the future

The signing of the charter marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration that goes beyond a mere declaration of intent. Mayor Norbert Morkes summed it up well: “We have laid a foundation here on which we can build.” Jean-Yves Hugon from Châteauroux added: “This is a great and wonderful adventure that we are embarking on.”