Due to historic events and with respect to Poland's planned entrance into the European Union, The Osnabrück Landkreis (district) is making a special contribution to the development of a German-Polish friendship.

Exchange programme with the Olsztyn Landkreis (district)
An exchange programme with the district of Olsztyn (Allenstein) has existed since 1999.

During youth meetings and sports events, exhibitions and concerts, seminars and work meetings the people of both districts have got to know and regard each other. This has created a network of strong ties between the districts amongst firemen and sportspeople, teachers and pupils, administrative experts and tourism specialists.

The Olsztyn Landkreis (district) is worth a visit with its numerous forests, 155 picturesque lakes and historical evidence of its fascinating past. It is situated in north-eastern Poland in the Ermland - Masuren region.

Cooperation with Walcz und Gryfino
Over the past few years further strong communal links have been forged with other Polish Landkreise (districts). We support friendly relationships between towns and village communities of Landkreise (districts) in Poland and Germany. Therefore, both the Landkreis (district) and the community of Bad Essen signed a declaration in 2002 with regard to cooperation with the Walcz Landkreis (district) (German Krone). There are also strong ties with the Gryfino Landkreis (district) (Greifenhagen).