Grand Rapids Sister Cities International (GRSCI) is a non-profit organization

that works to build relationships between Grand Rapids, Michigan and its sister cities by promoting understanding and mutual respect. We do this through exchanges in culture, art, education, and a focus on community and economic development.

Grand Rapids skyline at dusk
Through an agreement with the City of Grand Rapids, GRSCI administers Grand Rapids’ sister cities programs and interfaces with state and nationwide efforts to introduce international cultures to people in our community. Because of the hard work and dedication of our members and volunteers and the Grand Rapids community, we now have six sister cities.

Get to Know Our Sister Cities

Click any of the buttons below to learn about our Sister Cities around the world.

Impact

On Grand Rapids

Watch this video for a glimpse at what sister cities have meant to Grand Rapids and how local residents have connected with others from around the world.

What is a Sister City?

In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower created a program that was designed to enhance relationships between cities in the United States and the rest of the world. The goal of this program was to gain knowledge and understanding of foreign communities by exchanging cultural and ethnic ideas.