CITY MUNICIPALITY OF VARAŽDIN IN EACEA’S “EUROPE FOR CITIZENS”PROGRAM Petar Čavlović, Adviser for International Cooperation Department for Economy, Tourism and International Cooperation City Municipality of Varaždin

Varaždin and town-partnerships 8 twin-towns all around Europe Ptuj(Slovenia), Zalaegerszeg (Hungary), Bad Radkesburg (Austria), Trnava (Slovakia), Montale (Italy), Ravensburg (Germany), Koblenz (Germany), Auxerre (France)

Various cultural and other twinning activities Cooperation is most active with the nearest Towns(Ptuj, Trnava, Zalaegerszeg) Financing of activities was always a problem

Measure 1.2 “Thematic Networks of Twinned towns” is very interesting for further development of town-partnerships Varaždin had 2 successful applications: –2009 (project CULTnet) –2011 (project E-SCENE) Main partner on all projects: Development Agency North – DAN Europe for Citizens

CULTnet (2009 – 2010) Varaždin - first Croatian City Municipality with successful project application within “Citizenship” program 6 cities, 5 countries –workshops and round tables on cultural tourism 2 workshops in Varaždin, 1 in Ptuj Workshops held during 3 annual manifestations: “Trash Film Festival” and “Week of traditional culture” in Varaždin, and Ptuj’s “Kurentovanje” More than 120 participants

Varaždin’s 2nd “Citizenship” program Much larger then CULTnet Network of 4 creative workshops for young creatives; in Varaždin and Ravensburg Worth about ,00€, 7 towns from 6 countries, 8 other partner organisations At it’s end (2012) will include around 340 young participants from the fields of animated film, music and street arts E-SCENE (2011 – 2012)

Two “Europe for Citizens”, Measure 1.2 projects in two consecutive years = cca ,00€ We raised the level of cooperation with twinned towns to a new level Valuable experience in project management Increased International visibility of Varaždin Conclusion