16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions
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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…
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Multilevel Trust in Humanitarian Organisations in Ukraine
Trust is widely recognised as a precondition for effective humanitarian action, yet little empirical work examines whom crisis-affected people in Ukraine trust, why, and with what consequences for access and programme design. This thesis maps beneficiaries’ trust across actor types and identifies the factors that strengthen or erode it, interpreting results through a multilevel lens…
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From Seeds to Assemblies. Agroecology as a Tool for Political Participation
Indigenous women’s political participation remains limited due to intersecting inequalities. Nevertheless, sustainable initiatives such as agroecology have proved to empower communities and promote social engagement. This research investigates the political dimension of agroecology by examining how it can affect Indigenous women’s political participation. Social Capital Theory and Empowerment Theory are used to identify the mechanisms…
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Understanding Environmental Stewardship Through Governance and Psychology
This study explores how the psychological drivers of trust, social norms and collective identitysupport governance mechanisms in the Indigenous communal system of 48 Cantones of Totonicapán, Guatemala. Drawing on three of Elinor Ostrom’s institutional design principles (monitoring, collective decision-making and enforcement), the study applies a matrix framework that links governance mechanisms to internal behavioral drivers,…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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Karlskrona’s Folk High School inspires ‘Silver Age University’ in Chortkiv
With the aim of providing older people and individuals with special needs the opportunity to continue learning and developing throughout their lives, the Ukrainian municipality of Chortkiv, drawing inspiration from Litorina Folk High School in Karlskrona, has launched what they call the “Silver Age University”. In the long term, they also hope to offer war…
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Our Childhood: A toolbox for local governments fostering child/youth inclusion
Our Childhood toolbox aims to support local governments in their attempts to sensitise and include children and youth in local (political) affairs while pursuing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The toolbox enables long-terms, cross-sectoral collaborations for inclusion of children and youth in localising SDGs. It offers support to local governments and engaged practitioners in…
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Internally displaced persons integration in Ukraine
With over 4.6 million registered IDPs, Ukraine’s approach provides valuable insights into rapid crisis response, community integration, and participatory governance. Innovative local initiatives offer lessons in empowering displaced people to participate in local decision-making and strengthen societal resilience. Studying these approaches and practices can help in shaping global strategies for managing displacement and fostering social…