Research Reports
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![Child-Focused Cities [CFC]: A Paradigm for Inclusive Urban Development](https://cdn.icld.se/wp-content/uploads/20250922103544/RR-32-P1.jpg)
Child-Focused Cities [CFC]: A Paradigm for Inclusive Urban Development
The Child-Focused Cities (CFC) initiative brings together children and youth inclusion in local democracy in line with the principles embedded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). It reflects on why, when, how, where, and under what circumstances children and young people are recognised as political subjects and crucial role-players in…
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Increasing Transparency in Local Governments: Implementation of Citizen Budgets in Uganda, Kenya, and Zimbabwe
This research project investigates the implementation and impact of Citizen’s Budgets at the local level in selected countries. It aims to understand the elements that compose these budgets, the impact they have on the transparency of local government budget processes, and the degree of empowerment they confer, especially to marginalized groups. The study also assesses…
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Local Democracy and Resilience in Ukraine: Learning from Communities’ Crisis Response in War
The research report explores the resilience of local self-governments (LSGs) in Ukraine during the Russian invasion, highlighting their crucial role in crisis response despite significant challenges. LSGs have adapted to wartime conditions by relocating operations, managing resource shortages, and engaging with citizens and stakeholders to meet critical needs such as infrastructure repair, IDP support, and…
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Tactical Urbanism for Inclusive Transport
Tactical urbanism, a citizen-led, resource-efficient strategy for urban improvement, is largely unexploited in rapidly urbanizing African cities. This approach promotes safety, inclusivity, and democracy, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 11. In response to prevalent urban challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa such as slums and inequality, tactical urbanism could enhance urban landscapes by involving communities in low-cost…
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Empowering Local Voices: The Role of Participatory Research in SDG Voluntary Local Reviews
This report analyses the use of community-based, participatory methods in producing Voluntary Local Reviews. Since 2022, the Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy has supported municipalities with policy integration of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research teams together with three of these municipalities (Bijeljina in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Emboreet and Kibaha in Tanzania) applied community-based participatory…
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Morality policies and the prospect for inclusive citizenship in decentralized Indonesia: A study of West Java
This study examines the making of exclusionary morality policies and how those policies have affected the lives of faith-based and gender-based minority groups in West Java, Indonesia. Combining policy review, in-depth case studies, and survey, we identify distinct patterns of exclusion, which are top-down for faith-based minorities and bottom-up for sexual/gender minorities. Around 121 exclusionary…
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Bridging the Accountability Gap: Applying assed-based and citizen-led development in Emfuleni, South Africa
This research project aims to gain an understanding of how to institutionalise the Asset-Based and Citizen-Led Development (ABCD) approach as an innovative means of promoting active citizen engagement along with local-level social accountability in Emfuleni Local Municipality, Gauteng Province in South Africa. Building on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA)’s work in three wards of…
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Women’s political representation and effective participation in Ngara, Tanzania
This action research project aimed at understanding the factors obstructing and enabling participation of women in the Ward Councils of Ngara, and design a policy intervention. The study employed qualitative methods including interviews, focus group discussions, and document reviews. Following empowerment theory, it reveals socio-economic, socio-cultural, and institutional factors hindering women’s participation, such as financial…
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Implementando el ODS 5 sobre laigualdad de género entre los gobiernos locales en Guatemala
English title: Implementing SDG 5 on Gender Equality in local governments in Guatemala Resúmen Este informe de investigación mapea el uso de diferentes mecanismos para incorporar la igualdad de género en 30 municipios de Guatemala. El estudio investiga los niveles de apoyo institucional, participación política, violencia sexual, empleo y políticas de cambio climático, en relación…
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Implementando el ODS 5 sobre la igualdad de género entre los gobiernos locales en Colombia
English title: Implementing SDG 5 on Gender Equality in local governments in Colombia Resúmen Este informe de investigación mapea el uso de diferentes mecanismos para transversalizar la igualdad de género en 38 municipios de Colombia. El estudio investiga los niveles de apoyo institucional, participación política, violencia sexual, empleo y políticas de cambio climático, en relación…