TOWNS with a populations of under 80,000 are being invited to apply to a new domestic twinning programme to boost their economies.

The Carnegie Trust is asking small towns such as Galashiels and Peebles to participate in the 18-month programme, which will ‘twin’ towns with similar characteristics or challenges and help them consider how to make positive change in the future.

Up to 10 towns will be selected by the group, and in January successful applicants will be assigned a £7,500 to fund a range of activities including exchange visits, data gathering and research, economic development and planning advice and their own public consultation exercise.

Jim Metcalfe, head of development, Carnegie UK Trust, said: “We’re excited about Twin Town UK and the opportunities it will offer towns to learn and find new ways to deliver growth. It is a learning project, so we will be sharing lots of evidence about the partnerships to help other places too.”

“Too often, when we think about local economic development, we treat each town like it is an island. We look at it in isolation, and forget that places – just like people – need to co-operate to succeed.

“We hope that lots of towns will want to be a part of this innovative programme for growth, and that partner organisations from across the UK will get involved in supporting them.”

To enter, visit http://carnegieuktrust.org.uk/project/twintowns, or email TwinTowns@carnegieuk.org for more information.