From as early as the 14th century, Bialogard was a member of the Hanseatic League. In 1992, it renewed its membership, and now participates in the work and meetings of the Hanseatic cities and towns. In 2001, upon adoption of the statute of the New Hanseatic League by the Town Council, Bialogard officially became a member. The New Hanseatic League, established in 1980, is the premier international voluntary association of cities and towns. Today, over 200 cities and towns in 16 countries are members of this organization.

Bialogard is situated in the Polish part of the Pomerania Euroregion, which also includes German and Swedish cities and towns. The objective of cooperation within the Pomerania Euroregion is the undertaking of common activities for a steady and balanced development of the region and the approximation of its residents and institutions.

Twin towns of Bialogard:

Akniste

– a small town in the Yekabpils region in the south-east of Latvia. The town is 150 km away from Riga, the capital of Latvia, and 5 km from the border with Lithuania. The town’s population amounts to c. 1500 residents. The cooperation agreement was signed in 1999 during the celebration of the 700^thanniversary of granting a charter to Bia³ogard. The towns cooperate mainly in the fields of youth exchange, tourism, culture and sports.

Gnosjö

– a Swedish municipality situated in the south of Sweden, about 120 km from Ystad, with c. 10,000 residents. A tripartite partnership agreement between Bialogard, the district of Bialogard and the municipality of Gnosjö was signed on March 28, 2003. The cooperation is mainly focused on business activities, in particular municipal management, educational activities, culture and tourism as well as health care, social care and environmental issues.

Ostseebad Binz

– a spa municipality, Binz (Germany) has c. 6,000 inhabitants. It is situated on the scenic Island of Rugia near the renowned town of Sasnitz. The municipality is located in the northern part of the Pomerania Euroregion. The cooperation scheme helps to establish contact between residents by means of: youth exchanges, cultural, sports and tourist issues, school cooperation, cultural centres, and mutual presentation of culture, heritage and educational achievements. Business cooperation is encouraged and relations are established between businessmen and their organizations. Cooperation in the field of municipal management includes: environmental issues, waste management, water production and waste treatment, and the organization and operation of local governments.

Teterow

– was the first twin town of Bialogard. A preliminary partnership agreement was signed in 1978, and in 1993 it was officially prolonged. Teterow has a population of c. 11,000 inhabitants and is situated in Güstrow (Germany – Macklenburg). The towns cooperate mainly in the field of youth exchanges, education and local government activities.

Olen (Belgium)

Maardu (Estonia)

Albano Laziale (Italy)

Cooperation with twin towns abroad helps to secure external financial means from the European Union for youth initiatives and extensive development investments. In the past years, Bialogard has become a leader in soliciting pre-accession funds. The town is also prepared to receive structural funds.