Ukraine
Partnership for Sustainable Reconstruction and Democratic Urban Planning
The ICLD partnership between Jönköping and the Ukrainian city of Berdychiv addresses a complex challenge: how can sustainable, inclusive and democratic urban planning be developed in a context of ongoing war and reconstruction? The starting point for the cooperation is Berdychiv’s rapid population growth as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the…
Rebuilding Ukraine for all functional variations
As Ukrainian municipalities prepare for post-war reconstruction, accessibility and inclusion are becoming core concerns. The BUILDSUP project strengthens local capacity to plan and design cities that work for everyone, by introducing principles of universal design and sharing experiences between Sweden and Ukraine. The war in Ukraine has uncountable consequences, including the increase of people living…
Women, indigenous knowledge and climate resilience in focus amongst our Fieldwork Grant recipients
We are happy to share our most recent group of Fieldwork Grant participants here at ICLD! This year, 9 brilliant students presented their research on highly topical subjects for both our organization, the general state of the world and local democracy. Each of them had a unique perspective on pressing issues globally, and the execution…
New municipal partnership: Berg, Sweden and Krolevets, Ukraine
With the aim of strengthening local democracy, increasing youth influence, and contributing to long-term democratic resilience, ICLD has approved a partnership between Berg Municipality in Sweden and the Ukrainian municipality of Krolevets. “This is a unique opportunity for Berg to build international relationships and support Ukraine at the same time. It also strengthens our own…
Bergs Kommun – Krolevets, Ukraine
Inception The partnership between Berg Municipality and Krolevets began through ICLD’s matchmaking process at the Visby event Almedalsveckan in June 2025. Since then, two bilateral meetings with senior political leaders and ICLD representatives have laid the groundwork for collaboration. The partnership is now in the process of developing their project idea in the ICLD-funded inception-phase.…
New partnership approved: Karlskoga, Sweden and Shepetivka, Ukraine
Karlskoga Municipality in Sweden has been granted a one-year inception phase together with the Ukrainian municipality of Shepetivka. “We are very pleased to have been granted a partnership through ICLD,” says Tony Ring, Chairman of the Municipal Board in Karlskoga. “Thanks to ICLD’s support, we gain tools to develop our municipality while also helping to…
Karlskoga – Shepetivka, Ukraine
Equitable Waste Management With their inception for a project about equitable waste management, Karlskoga and Shepetivka are entering an ICLD-partnership for the first time, however, they have been entering a twinning agreement already in 2023 independently of the ICLD. The long-term goal for the partnership is to increase awareness about waste management and recycling for…
Webinar: Building Resilience through Local Democracy in Ukraine
On 13 May, ICLD held a global webinar, Building Resilient Communities through Local Democracy in Ukraine, gathering local government officials, civil society actors, academics, researchers, and international partners to reflect and learn on the Ukrainian experience and its relevance for crisis-affected communities worldwide, on municipal resilience in Ukraine during conflict. As Ukraine endures the hardships…
Region Gotland – Berislav, Ukraine
Growing Together for Resilient Futures The partnership between Gotland and Berislav is rooted in deep historical ties, with approximately 10% of Gotland’s population having Ukrainian heritage. This longstanding connection forms a natural foundation for the current collaboration, which is driven by a mutual ambition to foster democratic resilience and prepare for long-term societal development despite…
Kalmar – Poltava, Ukraine
Project: Equal preparedness and civil defense – Strengthened resilience in Poltava and Kalmar The partnership between Kalmar and Poltava focuses on enhancing public health by making it more accessible and building sustainable communities, aligning their efforts with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Despite the immense challenges posed…
