10/11/2016 - Scottish towns are being asked to apply to a
new domestic twinning programme to boost their local economies.
Towns with a population of under 80,000 - such as Inverness,
Perth, Paisley and Hawick - are being encouraged to submit applications to the
Carnegie UK Trust.
It has launched the scheme to support matched funding,
shared knowledge and the creation of an economic development plan for local
areas.
Ten UK towns will be paired to share ideas and boost growth.
The twinning concept grew after the Second World War to
promote cultural and commercial ties around the world.
It is being recreated across the UK as a way for councils to
work together more closely.
Scottish towns and cities have established hundreds of twin
town relationships around the world over the years, such as Falkirk with
Creteil, in northern France, Kirkcaldy with Ingolstadt, in southern Germany, and
Livingston with Grapevine in Texas.
Twinning concept
Head of development at the Carnegie UK Trust Jim Metcalfe
said: "The concept of town twinning was conceived to foster greater
understanding and trade between communities in different countries.
"With the devolution of power to big, overarching
regions increasingly likely, smaller towns are in danger of being left behind.
"Twin Towns UK is an opportunity for local councils
facing particular problems to form a partnership with a counterpart elsewhere
in the country.
"Having a twinned town is something to be proud of -
and we think some towns can find that partner here in the UK."
The selected towns will be supported over 18 months to build
ties, receive economic planning support, and have access to funds to kick-start
new commercial, voluntary and social enterprise activity, the charity said.
Source: BBC News
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