2026
Participation is not enough
Women, intersectionality, and local democracy in Colombia In Colombia, participatory mechanisms have opened spaces for women, but these spaces have not enabled their political agency as expected. Often, these mechanisms have focused on “women” generically, reproducing discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, and class. Drawing on a case study of the Women’s Advisory Council (WAC) of…
Participation is not enough
Women, intersectionality, and local democracy in Colombia In Colombia, participatory mechanisms have opened spaces for women, but these spaces have not enabled their political agency as expected. Often, these mechanisms have focused on “women” generically, reproducing discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, and class. Drawing on a case study of the Women’s Advisory Council (WAC) of…
Who gets to take part?
Toolbox for local governments to strengthen political participation with an intersectional perspective This toolbox aims to support local governments in strengthening political participation from an intersectional point of view. It guides readers to understand how different socio-economic, political, cultural, and gendered dynamics can affect people’s ability to partake in political activities, and proposes practical approaches…
Who gets to take part?
Toolbox for local governments to strengthen political participation with an intersectional perspective This toolbox aims to support local governments in strengthening political participation from an intersectional point of view. It guides readers to understand how different socio-economic, political, cultural, and gendered dynamics can affect people’s ability to partake in political activities, and proposes practical approaches…
Unlocking climate finance for local governments in sub-Saharan Africa
Analytical foundations for a practitioner toolbox Local governments in sub-Saharan Africa are at the forefront of climate change impacts, yet remain significantly under-resourced to respond effectively. This working paper presents analytical insights, case-based evidence, and governance lessons on climate finance for local governments in Sub-Saharan Africa. It draws on literature, comparative cases, and ICLD facilitated…
Unlocking climate finance for local governments in sub-Saharan Africa
Analytical foundations for a practitioner toolbox Local governments in sub-Saharan Africa are at the forefront of climate change impacts, yet remain significantly under-resourced to respond effectively. This working paper presents analytical insights, case-based evidence, and governance lessons on climate finance for local governments in Sub-Saharan Africa. It draws on literature, comparative cases, and ICLD facilitated…
Transversal Working for Democratic Action
This toolkit grows out of the work of the ICLD Climate Action Network, where African and Swedish municipalities partnered through the ICLD Municipal Partnership Programme, to implement local climate change projects. Across the network, municipalities used these climate projects as practical entry points to strengthen democratic practice, deliberately integrating participation, equity, transparency, and accountability into…
Transversal Working for Democratic Action
This toolkit grows out of the work of the ICLD Climate Action Network, where African and Swedish municipalities partnered through the ICLD Municipal Partnership Programme, to implement local climate change projects. Across the network, municipalities used these climate projects as practical entry points to strengthen democratic practice, deliberately integrating participation, equity, transparency, and accountability into…
How local goverments can accelerate EU integration
Lessons from Ukrainian-Swedish municipal partnerships The ICLD Network for Democratic Resilience brings together 30 Swedish and Ukrainian municipalities working to strengthen democratic institutions, inclusive governance, and local resilience in times of crisis and war. This policy brief draws on case studies from 13 partnerships (2022–2026), interviews, and research, showing how peer-to-peer cooperation supports EU integration…
How local goverments can accelerate EU integration
Lessons from Ukrainian-Swedish municipal partnerships The ICLD Network for Democratic Resilience brings together 30 Swedish and Ukrainian municipalities working to strengthen democratic institutions, inclusive governance, and local resilience in times of crisis and war. This policy brief draws on case studies from 13 partnerships (2022–2026), interviews, and research, showing how peer-to-peer cooperation supports EU integration…
