Membership

Membership in Sister Cities International is open to cities of all sizes, counties, states, international cities, and individuals. Members are a part of a network of citizen diplomats from over 500 U.S. communities with partnerships in nearly 2,000 cities in more than 140 countries around the globe.

Sister Cities International provides essential services, programs, and resources to help members find partners as well as expand and improve their activities. Your membership provides you not only with access to unique tools and resources but also to dedicated staff assistance and guidance to build and grow a sister city program. Our staff have worked with hundreds of cities in countries around the Whether you are a volunteer, community leader, or municipal official, Sister Cities International can help you save time and money.

In addition to resources and expertise, membership with Sister Cities International ensures that your program is in the largest network of citizen diplomats in the world, and is a part of a peacebuilding tradition that has made the sister cities movement spread across the globe. With affordable rates based on the population of a community, Sister Cities International provides members with unique support and resources listed below.

CLICK HERE for more information about membership rates and to become a member.

To find out if your city is already a member please visit our City Directory.

YOUR SWITCHBOARD TO THE WORLD

Sister Cities Networking: At Sister Cities International, we believe in peer-to-peer learning. Want to host a youth exchange? Lead a business delegation? We can connect you with other experienced members for an exchange of ideas to help you find solutions.
Connect with the Diplomatic Corps: Sister Cities International works closely with the U.S. Department of State and its diplomats as well foreign embassies in the U.S. Let us connect you with the right officials and help you get the answers and support you need.
Annual Membership Directory: Be featured in the Annual Directory, Sister Cities International’s flagship publication! This listing of all member cities and their partnerships is distributed to our entire network, municipal and federal governments, and the diplomatic community.

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Cities Seeking Cities: Looking for a sister city? Our Cities Seeking Cities program provides you dedicated staff assistance and the necessary connections to municipal officials, twinning organizations, and the diplomatic community to help you find a partner city.
Governance and Policy Services: Confused about how to start a sister city organization, structure your bylaws, or establish other policies to lay the foundation for a sister city program? We will guide you at every step as you establish and grow your partnerships.
Young Artists Showcase & Authors Showcase: Open to all youth in member cities, the Showcase is a chance for them to submit artwork, essays, and poems inspired by an annual theme. Winners receive cash prizes and top entries tour the U.S.
High School Homestay: This exchange program enables member cities to host high school students for a year or semester. We assist with processing exchange visas for the youth and make it a simple and rewarding experience for students and host families.
Annual Awards: The Awards highlight sister city programming excellence in a number of competitive categories and programmatic areas.

TELLING YOUR STORY

Share Your Story: Let us tell your story to the world. We publicize your success through website articles, social media, and press outreach.
Member Profiles: Show off your sister city program with a customizable member profile as well as profiles for all of your sister city partnerships.
Event & Delegation Promotion: Need help promoting an upcoming inbound or outbound delegation? We can help spread the word through targeted emails, social media, and press outreach.
Crisis Communications & Media Relations: International events can catch any communications team off guard. We can guide you on how to effectively represent your program in times of crisis or controversy. Our media partnerships and media outreach can ensure that your activities get the attention they deserve.

PROVIDING RESOURCES THAT MATTER

Visa Consultations: Worried about an upcoming delegation? Get pro bono consultations from immigration lawyers for questions regarding inbound delegations or visa applications.
Background Checks: All Sister Cities International members receive access to discounted Intellicorp’s background check services for host families, chaperones, and new hires.
Insurance: Get access to discounted traveler’s insurance for individuals or groups through Sister Cities International’s partnership with International Medical Group (IMG).
Certificates: Commemorate a new sister city partnership or anniversary with our custom-made certificates.
Toolkits and Templates: Get access to handy guidelines, templates, and best practices for exchanges, policies, and other topics relevant to sister city program development.
Grants Database: Sister Cities International provides members with information on opportunities from private foundations and public organizations to help you find resources to expand your program.
Webinars: Build key skills and hear from experts in our webinar series. Topics include grant-writing, fundraising, and volunteer recruitment.
Discounted Rates: As a valued member of Sister Cities International, you are eligible for discounted member rates to all our conferences and events.

CLICK HERE for more information about membership rates, and to become a member.

For more information please contact us at membership@sistercities.org or call (202) 347-8630 and our membership department can answer any questions you might have.