For more than 40 years, cooperative relationships between people from Burundi and Baden-Württemberg have formed a bridge across borders and distances. What began as personal relationships in the 1960s developed into a parliamentary partnership in the 1980s. Today there are numerous partnership initiatives between Baden-Württemberg and Burundian civil society, churches, municipalities and politics. The SEZ coordinates the partnership, promotes exchange and strengthens relationships through different meeting formats and networking.