The Hanse today is an active network of towns and cities, which were historically members of the alliance of merchant cities known as the Hanse (Hanseatic League) or which had active trade links with the Hanse. This network was founded in 1980 in Zwolle, Netherlands. It is the largest self-determined partnership of cities in the world. There are in all 160 member cities from 15 countries.

The Hanse has set itself the task of reviving the ideas and spirit of the European city/municipality on the basis of the cross-border concept of the Hanseatic League and its historical experience, thus enhancing the historic consciousness of the hanseatic towns and cities, and promoting cooperation between them. The objective of the Hanse is to make a contribution to economic, cultural, social and civic unity in Europe, and thus to strengthen the self-awareness of the cities and municipalities so that they can fulfil their role as a home of living democracy. To achieve this ambitious goal, the Hanse established its statutes, for the first time in hanseatic history in 2000, setting out the principles for its activities.

It specified in particular the following activities:

• Public relations activities underscoring aspects common to the Hanseatic towns and cities
• Exchange of culture and tradition
• Transfer of knowledge, social activities and information
• Strengthening of economic and trading contacts
• Inclusion of young people (Youth Hanse) in the development of the Hanse