Charlottesville Sister Cities Commission

06/26/2026

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The Charlottesville Sister Cities Commission invites the community to a special Signing Ceremony and Cultural Celebration next Thursday, July 2 from 4:30 to 7:30 PM at McGuffey Art Center, Studio 11 (201 Second Street NW).

This special event will commemorate the recent Sister Cities partnership between the City of Charlottesville and Huehuetenango, Guatemala. The two communities initially became Friendship Cities in 2021.

Attendees can expect African dance, Andean music, storytelling, and more. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public.

We hope you'll join us in celebrating connection and the sharing of cultures!

06/10/2026

05/08/2026

Grant application deadline extended! Another chance to apply by June 1st, 2026.

04/21/2026

The City of Charlottesville is accepting applications for seats on the Sister Cities Commission as of April 20, 2026, with a general application deadline of May 1, 2026.

This commission promotes cultural, educational, and economic ties with partner cities: Besançon (France), Poggio a Caiano (Italy), Winneba (Ghana), and Huehuetenango (Guatemala).

Key Openings and Opportunities:
Commission Seats: Vacancies are available for residents to advise the City Council on promoting relationships with sister cities.

Interested individuals can view vacancies and apply through the City of Charlottesville's Boards and Commissions portal.

The Sister Cities Commission generally seeks to foster relationships through cultural, economic, and humanitarian initiatives.

04/11/2026

Remember! The Grant application deadline is April 30.

04/01/2026

Winneba, Ghana has been our sister city since 2010. Do you know the difference between Winneba and Effutu?

Effutu and Winneba are deeply intertwined, with the Effutu (or Efutu) being the indigenous Guan-speaking people and ethnic group, while Winneba is the coastal town and capital of the Effutu Municipal District in Ghana's Central Region. Often called Simpa, the community is renowned for the annual Aboakyer deer-hunting festival.

The Efutu are the traditional inhabitants who founded the area around 1390-1515 C.E., while Winneba is the modern town/administrative capital. Winneba has a population of 60 thousand inhabitants.

Location: Situated on the coast in the Central Region of Ghana, roughly 50-60 km west of Accra.

Culture: Known for the Aboakyer Festival, a traditional event held every May where residents catch a deer with their bare hands.

Language: The people speak the Efutu language, part of the Guan language group.

History: Originally known as "Simpa" or "Tumpa" before adopting the name Winneba.

Economy: The area is largely a fishing community.

Chieftaincy Disputes:
There are ongoing chieftaincy disputes within the Effutu state, involving factions such as the Ghartey and Ayiribi-Aquah families.

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04/01/2026

Excerpt from Kimberly Hayes, Representative to Winneba!

“Packed itinerary for the last few days to maximize the benefit of the sister city partnership with Winneba, Ghana & Charlottesville, VA. I visited the Municipal Executives who run the city, the Fire Station personnel, the Education Department and the Public Library System. The highlight was delivering self care supplies to the school children who were so gracious and warm. There is always more to do, but I’m grateful for the opportunity and the moment. 🙏🏾🇬🇭”