Dance Partnership
BLB is inspired to see the enthusiasm and excitement of the students and teachers involved in the collaboration between Rise Youth Dance in Bristol and Casa de Cultura in Beira. We look forward to seeing the finished work after three weekends of hard work from the dancers. Thanks to three Bristol charities for sponsorship to date which started in 2022 with the rehabilitation of the ballet studio at the Casa de Cultura.
Schools Partnership
Schools in Bristol have been linked with schools in Beira and have benefited from teacher exchanges. Children from both cities are encouraged to understand the lives of each other through projects supported by BLB. Year 6 girls at Redmaids Junior School are currently getting to know girls at Matacuane Primary School.
50 years of Mozambican Independence at BCC
A gathering at City Hall on 25th June 2025 celebrated the 50th anniversary of Mozambique’s Independence. Guests included: HE Albertina MacDonald Mozambique’s High Commissioner; staff from the High Commission; Bristol’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Henry Michallat; members of the Mozambican diaspora; and Bristol Link with Beira's Trustees, friends and supporters.
The High Commissioner and Mozambican-Bristolians raised flag on College Green before guests assembled in City Hall's Beira Room, for the speeches and messages of support for Mozambique, its people and the link between the cities of Beira and Bristol. Key themes included:
- Independence was the start not the end of the struggle;
- Mozambique faces many challenges but its people are united to achieve an inclusive, peaceful and prosperous country.
- Solidarity between the peoples of Beira and Bristol is an example of what can be achieved through co-operation between Mozambique and UK.
The Beira Room echoed to the chants of “Viva Mozambique, Viva” and “Viva Bristol Link with Beira, Viva” and enjoyed Mozambican food kindly prepared by the Mozambique High Commission.
Young People
Bristol International Twinning Association in conjunction with Bristol City Council have organised a number of events for young people in the school holidays. In 2024 youngsters produced stickers depicting an animal associated with each city. Bristol Link with Beira chose the sea turtle which makes the green T of Bristol.
Another event was held which involved the design of capulanas.
Women & Girls Promoting Change
This project to strengthen the capacity of vulnerable women facilitated by BLB, was implemented by AMPDC (Associação de Mulheres para a Promoção do Desenvolvimento Comunitário) in Manga.
AMPDC created and trained a local Women’s Legal Committee on Gender Based Violence (GBV), Psychosocial Support, Legal Processes, Human Development, Associativism and Leadership and set up a Help-desk. AMPDC held awareness sessions on GBV, and the Committee reinforced the information to women and girls, house-to-house. During this work, AMPDC identified specific cases of GBV and provided counselling: resolving some cases and escalating others to the legal process. The women in the Committee are now seen as “local peacemakers”.
AMPDC also held classes for vulnerable women. The mothers in the literacy class said they had never dreamed that they would be sitting in a classroom learning to read and write, and are happy that they can now sign documents (especially ID cards), read phone messages and more; adding “no-one will be able to deceive us now”. One of the women in the sewing class said “I am passionate about sewing and it makes me happy, ....... and I have an opportunity to support my children.” The savings group have been paying in £1.50 each per fortnight and are now starting to have enough money to pay interest and lend out to members to start small businesses.
Knowledge of Citizenship & Participation
ADS (Associação para o Desenvolvimento Social), financed by the Coles-Medlock Foundation and facilitated by BLB, have engaged young women as mentors, and arranged workshops to examine issues, generate themes and take part in panel presentations. The facilitator encourages the girls to have fun while they discuss serious issues in a sociable setting. Themes discussed included human rights, political participation, gender-based violence (including electoral violence), early and unwanted pregnancy, sexual and reproductive health, sexual harassment, forced and premature marriage, sexually transmitted infections, and economic empowerment of young women. These workshops inspired the young women to further research, speaking out and activism. The young women are now spreading the word informally in their neighbourhoods and signposting helpdesks. Through additional sessions at girls’ clubs, many girls can use the information to make responsible decisions regarding their lifestyles and actions. One girl expressed her appreciation of the programme: “Because I didn't know what to do, I had to go to someone ……. we went to court and won. This happened because I didn't stay silent…….. Thank you.”
Supporting Urban Agriculture
ADEL Sofala implemented our project "Economic Resilience for Vulnerable Women”, designed in conjunction with the local community association Fundissananhe. They represent women working in urban agriculture in Vaz, on the edge of Beira’s industrial zone. This project supported 200 women in developing micro businesses and improving the economic resilience of their households. The project included training, mentoring and provision of horticultural goods.
ADEL have also handed over income-generating kits to enable self-employment for a sustainable source of income generation. These women have taken part in micro-finance and small business training workshops, and formed savings and rotating credit groups. Topics discussed included the role of women in the family, Family Law, food security and small business management, with a view to dissemination in their communities. On completion, women received hand machines, such as peanut grinders and popcorn makers to transform and add value to their produce; together with stall equpiment such as unbrellas and cookboxes.
Civic Solidarity
Every day, Bristol City Council flies the flags of the seven countries of its partner cities: Mozambique (Beira), France (Bordeaux,) China (Guangzhou) Germany (Hannover), Portugal (Porto), Nicaragua (Puerto Morazan) and Georgia (Tbilisi).
The Mozambique flag is annually joined by the Municipal Council of Beira flag on 20th August, Beira's "Dia de Cidade". Seven of the meeting rooms on the ground floor of Bristol City Council are dedicated to the partner cities, decorated with artwork celebrating the partner city. BLB has used the Beira Room for civic events such as celebrating Mozambique's Independence Day and Beira Day.
Bristol Link with Beira, together with the other 6 associations is a member of Bristol International Twinning Association (BITA). BITA have held regional conferences in Bristol on international city partnerships and ensure that the individual associations have a voice in Bristol City Council global initiatives.
