Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city, has officially become a partner city of Lviv. The cooperation agreement between the two cities was ceremonially signed at Lviv City Hall by Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyy and Bergen Mayor Marit Warncke.

“We highly value the support of our European partners. Cooperation with Norwegian cities has always demonstrated excellent results. Today, we are opening a new chapter in this partnership, which will lead to many outstanding joint projects,” Andriy Sadovyy noted.

Marit Warncke, Mayor of Bergen, emphasized: “We are pleased to have the opportunity to support Lviv. This cooperation is not just about new opportunities for exchanging knowledge and experience. It is our contribution to the shared struggle for peace, freedom, and democracy. Thank you for your resilience.”

The partnership agreement предусматриє cooperation in the fields of human rights and democracy; arts, science, and culture; healthcare and rehabilitation; environmental protection; business development; and civil protection.

During the meeting, the parties discussed potential joint projects in the near future. Andriy Sadovyi also presented the UNBROKEN Humanitarian Ecosystem, which provides treatment, prosthetics, and rehabilitation for children and adults affected by Russia’s war against Ukraine. The mayor emphasized that UNBROKEN is a strong example not only for Ukrainian cities but also for countries beyond Ukraine.

Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city, a major port, and a cultural center with the historic Hanseatic Bryggen Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is the capital of the Vestland region and is known for its scenic landscapes. It is also a key hub for the fishing industry and tourism, attracting visitors traveling to the fjords.

Currently, Lviv’s sister cities include: Banja Luka, Brno, Budapest, Vilnius, Winnipeg, Wrocław, Würzburg, Graz, Rzeszów, Cannes, Katowice, Kraków, Kutaisi, Łódź, Lublin, Mechelen, Novi Sad, Aarhus, Przemyśl, Plovdiv, Pula, Reykjavík, Rishon LeZion, Rochdale, Samarkand, Tbilisi, Freiburg, Frankfurt, Chengdu, Tartu, Turin, Uppsala, and Bergen.

Background

Norway has consistently supported Ukraine by providing financial, humanitarian, and other assistance. For example, the Norwegian organization Fritt Ukraina has been actively cooperating with residents of Lviv since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, delivering various equipment and machinery for the military.

Recently, Norway announced a new financial support package for Ukraine of approximately USD 400 million to restore energy infrastructure this winter and support civilians. In addition, Norway has extended the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine until 2030, providing more than NOK 200 billion in civilian and military assistance by that year.