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Europe
Europe has long become a decisive factor for many areas of local politics and administration. The municipalities must stand by the European commitments but can also enjoy support from European programmes. In addition, local authorities and their citizens can actively shape the European Union. There is a wide range of opportunities for participation. The European work of the International Office comprises the following:
- To anchor the topic of Europe in the administration and in the citizenry
- To provide communication and information on European issues
- To give advice on incentive programmes for the city’s specialist departments, but also for independent sponsors, associations, and other institutions
- To organise seminars and trainings regarding European funding programmes
- To influence EU legislation and policies through consultations
- To participate in various European networks

European week 2022
Annually, the European week takes place throughout Germany in the first week of May and traditionally ends on the 9th of May, the EU’s Europe Day. The theme of this year’s European Week in North-Rhine Westphalia is “Stories of Europe – show me your Europe”. It is supported by Dr Stephan Holthoff-Pförtner, who is the minister for Federal and European Affairs as well as for International Affairs of North-Rhine Westphalia. The city of Münster, in cooperation with the Young European Federalists and Pulse of Europe, is also involved in the European week with several exciting activities.
European Week NRW 2022: Actions in Münster

European active municipality in North-Rhine Westphalia
In November 2020, the City of Münster was awarded the title “European active municipality in NRW”. Once a year, the award is given to those municipalities showing exemplary commitment to Europe by the Prime Minister of the State of North-Rhine Westphalia. For the City of Münster, the European idea is a matter of conviction because the diversity of Europe and the common European successes are an inspiration for the city’s work.
Europe in Münster
The City of Münster was among the final six candidates competing for the Europe Prize 2020. The short film demonstrates the way in which the European idea is brought to life in Münster. It portrays Münster as a city characterized by a culture of diversity and openness, vibrant partnerships and curiosity for its European neighbors.
A special Europe Day
Münster in Europe
The short film demonstrates the way in which the European idea is brought to life in Münster. It portrays Münster as a city characterized by a culture of diversity and openness, vibrant partnerships and curiosity for its European neighbors
Münster4Europe
The roots of our democracy lie in the cities – including Münster. In the context of the “#Cities4Europe” campaign by the city network EUROCITIES, Münster, among others, stood up for the European community and for European values. With the “#Münster4Europe” action day, the City of Münster, together with European political actors (Visions for Europe, JEF and Pulse of Europe), helped ensuring that the future Europe will be strong, united and democratic, too. “#Münster4Europe” was also part of the European Week 2018 that took place in North-Rhine Westphalia.
Understanding, experiencing, and shaping Europe
Every year since 2013, the SimEP of the Young European Federalists has taken place in Münster under the patronage of First Mayor Markus Lewe. Students from Münster’s schools have the opportunity to slip into the role of a MEP for one day and to spend a day simulating the work of the European Parliament. At the end of this day, a fictitious directive on a specific topic is adopted.
Facebook page of SimEP Münster
The Secretary General of Eurocities visits Münster
At the latest Eurocities annual meeting, First Mayor Markus Lewe invited Anna Lisa Boni to visit the Westphalian regional capital. The Eurocities networks comprises more than 190 large cities from 40 countries. It thus represents 130 million inhabitants in European municipalities. Münster has been a Eurocities member since 1999. First Mayor Lewe welcomed Secretary General Boni in the Friedenssaal and took her on a bicycle excursion to several stops in Münster.