International Relations Services
Strategic guidance for city councils and economic development agencies managing global relationships
The Right Relationships for the Right Reasons
In an increasingly connected world, local governments are under growing pressure to engage internationally, but not all relationships are equal, and not all deliver meaningful value.
Our International Relations Services help cities and regions navigate this landscape with clarity, discipline, and purpose.
At ExportExplore, we work with councils and economic development bodies to develop, manage, and optimise international partnerships that are strategically aligned, mutually beneficial, and sustainably resourced.
Whether you’re building a new sister city relationship, reassessing twinning
arrangements, or receiving interest from an overseas delegation, we provide the tools and insight to make confident, impact-led decisions.
What We Offer
Strategy & Framework Design
We create custom international engagement strategies, ensuring each relationship is tied to your civic, economic, or cultural development objectives. Our work supports council-wide alignment and provides a clear rationale for every international partnership.
Partnership Audits & Performance Reviews
Using our tested methodology, including the Red-Amber-Green (RAG) evaluation and structured impact assessment, we help you audit your current international portfolio. This ensures resources are directed towards partnerships that deliver value while identifying relationships that may need to be repositioned or retired.
Decision-Making Support
We build practical decision frameworks to help you evaluate future proposals. Our process provides a repeatable method for assessing alignment, feasibility, community benefit, and diplomatic considerations, eliminating guesswork from international engagement.
Programme Management
From student exchanges and trade links to cultural events and diplomatic visits, we provide hands-on support to design, deliver, or manage international programmes. We can embed within your team or act as your outsourced partner to ensure professionalism and consistency.
Training & Stakeholder Briefings
We support elected members, senior executives, and officers with tailored briefings and training sessions on how to engage internationally with confidence. This includes reputation management, political sensitivity, and aligning with national foreign policy guidance
Who We Work With
Our services are tailored for:
- City Councils & Local Authorities
- Seeking to review or refresh their international relationships
- Economic Development Agencies
- Looking to grow trade, investment, and cultural visibility through strategic partnerships
- Combined Authorities & Regional Governments
- Coordinating international strategies across multiple jurisdictions
- Existing Sister Cities & Twinning Networks
- Needing external evaluation, facilitation, or programme delivery support
Why Export Explore?
We bring over a decade of experience working with local and regional governments, international trade bodies, and inward investment agencies across the UK, Ireland, Europe, and North America.
Our work strikes a balance between diplomacy and delivery—ensuring every relationship serves your place, people, and priorities.
Let’s Start the Conversation
Whether you’re unsure about the value of a long-standing relationship or exploring a new international opportunity, we’re here to help you make informed decisions.
Contact us today to schedule an initial conversation or request a discovery workshop.
Common Enquries
Every situation is different and we treat every promotion agency and expanding business uniquely, here are some of the topics we are contacted about:
“We’ve had a Sister City relationship for years, but it feels inactive. How can we assess whether it’s still worthwhile?”
We offer structured audits that evaluate the strategic value, activity levels, and community engagement of each relationship; helping you decide whether to reinvest, reposition, or respectfully retire the partnership.
“We’ve been approached by an overseas city about twinning. How do we know if it’s a good fit?”
Our impact-first assessment framework gives you a clear way to test alignment with your local priorities, community appetite, and available resources, so you can make the right decision with confidence.
“We’re trying to link international relationships to economic growth. Can you help?”
Yes. We help councils and regional bodies identify opportunities to connect international relationships with trade, skills development, tourism, and inward investment; turning symbolic ties into tangible outcomes.
“Our council doesn’t have the staff capacity to manage international visits or exchanges. Can you support delivery?”
We can act as your outsourced international relations partner, supporting planning, managing, and evaluating programmes on your behalf while ensuring professional standards and strong governance.
“We want to build a proper strategy for our international engagement. Can you help us write one?”
Companies need guidance in managing the financial aspects of exporting, including selecting appropriate payment methods, managing currency risks, and securing trade finance options. They also require support in understanding and mitigating potential risks associated with international trade, such as political, economic, and legal risks.
We work with elected members, senior leaders, and officers to co-design international strategies that are grounded in evidence, community relevance, and long-term value.