Abstract
Problems and needs that are encountered locally brings local governments to different agenda, formal or informal collaborations at different quarters. The sister city practice, which is a formal cooperation between local governments, was supported especially in order to provide peace among the societies after the Second World War. In time, it started to find a worldwide response by going out of Western European countries. In this study, sister city practice is positioned as a mediator of comparison and learning between cities. In this context, the main purpose of the study is to examine the sister city practice as a mediator of comparison and learning between cities. This investigation is carried out through the cities of Zigetvar and Dortmund, where Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality (TBB) has a sister city relationship. In the research, it is determined that some cultural and economic activities are carried out on the original sides of both cities, and there is some comparison .and learning functions, but there is no effective situation under certain limitations (such as: an active effort that ensures the continuity of collaborations is not given, focusing more on studies focusing on the city, lack of cooperation based on projects, existence of human resources and organizational deficiencies to perform these activities, budget deficiencies, etc.).