Köbánya, Hungary

 

Köbánya is the 10th district of Budapest, the Capital city of Hungary, which joined the European Union in May 2004.  Visit Köbánya's webpage here.

 

It is a small industrial and residential area on the site of a former quarry, which has high unemployment, large immigrant populations from Asia and is fairly near to the central business district of Pest.  Famous landmarks within the Köbánya district include a large cemetery with famous graves; the focal point is a Hungarian tiled church of St. Laszlo; an Internationally renowned Specialist inductive education school; an Internationall renowned dance troupe; and many beautiful parks and historical buildings.

 

 

Current Projects

 

·        English language teaching assistants pilot from January 2005 with Leonardo funding until June 2007.

·        Lake Balaton summer camp for children aged 13-15: 40 Wolverhampton school children will participate from 25 July – 3 August 2005 from schools, youth clubs and the youth council.

·        Wolverhampton Continental Christmas Market, 7 – 21 December will see the first Hungarian Christmas market in the UK.

·        Under 15 football exchange between Köbánya and Wolverhampton.

 

 

Background to cooperation agreement

 

1994: Collaboration between Wolverhampton and Köbánya began based on leisure services links and multi-ethnic projects. 

 

1996: The LGIB pushed for a formalised link so a “co-operation agreement” was signed by both mayors (less commitment than twinning).  Wolverhampton sent a civic delegation accompanied by an Express & Star journalist to visit Köbánya for the 1000 year celebrations of the Hungarian nation.  It was mostly informal visits, and a further EU funding application for child day-care projects was unsuccessful.  Other areas of co-operation were education and training issues, and economic development.

 

1999:  Additional links through A.L.A.N project with an international conference held in Poland with extra partners from Poland and South Staffs.

 

2001:  A high-level delegation from Köbánya visited to look at regeneration sites.  Later that year, whilst at a RETI conference in Hungary, the leader and two Wolverhampton officers paid a visit to Köbánya.

 

2002:  In November a preparatory visit to Köbánya by officers began planning for the forthcoming delegation visit in December by a small Köbányan delegation of education officials visiting several special needs’ schools.   Also a joint project with the Lighthouse Cinema involved a workshop and suggestions of possibly setting up a joint Film Festival.

 

In October 2002 the local elections saw big changes in the Köbánya district of Budapest with the Socialist party winning most of the seats and taking control of the Council.  Mr. Andó is the new Socialist Mayor and works alongside a new Socialist leader of the Council.  Given that he is recently installed Mr. Andó is keen to progress the link further. 

 

2003-2004: Delegation visits by politicians were received both in Wolverhampton (for civic Sunday) and in Köbánya. Education links have continued with Braybrook special unit at Wolverhampton, and possible citywide projects around football match exchanges and primary school exchanges.