0.52m – Lyon metropolitan area is home to 1.7m people
Location:
Rhône-Alpes, France
Industry:
Banking, biotechnologies, new technologies and the creative industries
Background:
Birmingham and Lyon became partner cities in 1951, making this our longest partnership.
Both cities were founding members of the Eurocities network in 1986.
Eurocities is a network of over 130 major European cities that works together on 27 different policy areas.
Both cities worked on urban regeneration projects, using funding from the EU.
Birmingham was invited by Lyon to join the Délice network.
Délice promotes shared learning between cities that consider food and gastronomy as a boost for urban economic development and city attractiveness.
Both cities were part of the Europod exchange.
Europod was a trilateral programme between Birmingham, Frankfurt, and Lyon.
The aim of Europod was to enable young people to become physically active and to gain skills development, improved mental wellbeing and an opportunity for cultural exchange and language learning.
Over the years Birmingham and Lyon’s partnership has focused on: urban regeneration, social housing, transportation, science, education, jewellery design, culture and culinary exchange.
Several visits include:
In 2018 Lyon hosted a visit from Birmingham’s transport team.
Discussions included the Greater Birmingham tramway, redevelopment of New Street Station and HS2 development.
Lyon also showcased their development in the Part Dieu district regeneration project and EGIS Rail projects.
Cooperation between Birmingham and Lyon has also included visits from Lyonnais jewellers to the historic Birmingham Jewellery Quarter.
Metrex Conference 2019: Cllr Thompson visited Lyon, focusing on housing,
That same year, a delegation from Lyon returned the visit, with their stay primarily centred on trade& investment.
In early 2020, a delegation from Lyon travelled to Birmingham, with a primary focus on urban development during their visit.
latest activity and Current Projects:
Birmingham and Lyon are delivering an action plan covering:
Culture and festivals:
City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) Paris concert
The CBSO performed at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris on Saturday 25th March 2023 with participation from Lyon Deputy Mayor for Culture.
Street Food Festival in Lyon
Created in 2016, the festival aims to bring chefs to Lyon to showcase their skills. Birmingham attended the event for the first time in 2018.
Education and student exchanges:
Lycée Diderot and Birmingham student exchange
Lycée Diderot have sent fashion students to Birmingham since 2010. As part of a cultural exchange/work experience, students have worked with Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG).
In 2023, Lyon rejoined Eurocities culture forum, which was held in Birmingham.
A dress that was made by a student at Diderot College based on a painting in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery ‘The Keepsake’ by Elizabeth Bunce was displayed at the Eurocities Culture Forum.
You WIL is BCC initiative and an empowering programme for the future generations of young women, aspiring to be the leaders of tomorrow.
Economic collaboration:
The economic ties between the two cities are evident in the various visits that both chambers of commerce have paid to each other, with the most recent visit from the Lyon Chamber of Commerce to Birmingham taking place in November 2022.
