Nordhorn Focuses on Transparent Governance and International Partnerships

Governance and International Partnerships in Focus

In March 2026, Nordhorn made several key decisions in the areas of governance and administrative structure. The city is not only emphasizing internal transparency but also fostering intensive international partnerships. The Partnership Committee, a central actor in these processes, has initiated various activities to strengthen the city's international network.

Public Meetings and Governance Transparency

On 09.03.2026, the 24th meeting of the Partnership Committee took place in the large meeting hall of Stadthaus I and was held in public. This meeting marked another step toward transparent governance. The agenda included the approval of the minutes from the last public session and reports on current partnership activities.

Mayor Berling presented a report on a professional exchange with the partner city of Reichenbach, which took place in February 2026. A reciprocal visit is planned for 2026, underscoring the ongoing integration of municipal structures. The public meeting itself was another example of how Nordhorn is designing its decision-making processes transparently to build trust in municipal administration.

International Meetings and City Partnerships

Over the past few years, Nordhorn has established itself as an active partner in international city partnership work. In March 2026, several appointments and projects were announced that will further consolidate this role.

Maschmeier, the deputy chair of the Partnership Committee, reported on planned visits with partner cities. For example, a visit from the friendship association of Reichenbach is scheduled for 11.06.2026 to promote team building and exchange. In addition, a delegation from Chuhuiv, Ukraine, will visit Nordhorn in June 2026 to exchange experiences in municipal crisis prevention.

Another highlight is the planned graffiti project with youth, to be implemented as part of the summer vacation program. Each partner city will receive a symbolic wooden wall to be painted with graffiti. These walls will be installed at the train station in Nordhorn, and the project will be presented in September 2026 in the presence of all partner cities and youth participants.

Future-Oriented Governance and Farewells

In addition to international activities, farewells were also in focus. It is planned to honor the chairs Haming and Mayor Berling at the town hall on 04.09.2026. These changes in leadership demonstrate that Nordhorn is continuously adapting its governance structure and remaining forward-looking.

Furthermore, it is planned that Mayor Berling, Chair Haming, and Deputy Chair Maschmeier will travel to Montivilliers in March 2026, in parallel with a youth exchange. These trips highlight the importance of partnerships at various levels, from politics to youth.

Outlook: Nordhorn as a Model for Governance and Partnership

Nordhorn’s current governance strategy emphasizes not only transparency and citizen participation but also international networking. With planned visits, creative projects such as the graffiti project, and the farewell of long-standing leaders, the city has set a milestone in municipal cooperation in March 2026.

In the future, it will be important to further develop these structures and simultaneously gain new partners and projects. Nordhorn demonstrates through its activities that a modern city can think ahead and remain flexible both in administration and in international partnership work.