5 – Gender equality
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Voluntary Local Review (VLR) of Klapmuts & Kayamandi Townships: Stellenbosch Municipality, South Africa
This report responds to the growing need for voluntary local reviews (VLRs) of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) progress at the municipal level. It presents the findings of a community-based assessment conducted in the informal townships of Klapmuts and Kayamandi, both located within the Stellenbosch Municipality of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. In line with…
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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…
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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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Living Knowledge in a Changing Land
Indigenous communities in the Amazon are facing rapid socio-ecological changes that threaten traditional land management practices and food sovereignty. Indigenous knowledge and practices, essential for biodiversity conservation, are quickly being lost. I examine how changes in traditional land management affect Indigenous food sovereignty and its impact on the growth of women’s leadership in Mitú, Colombia.…
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Gender quotas – a step towards equal representation?
This article is also avaible in Spanish Local example from Guatemala At ICLD, we work to ensure that more women are given the opportunity to take on leadership roles within local government. Political participation is a human right, and when more women are in power, decisions tend to be more inclusive and often prioritise social…
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Unseen Spaces, Unheard Voices: Redefining Gender Roles to Enhance Women’s Political Impact in Guatemala and Colombia
Regional focus: South America – Colombia and Guatemala Time: September 2025 – May 2026 Abstract: This research project explores the role of gender social norms intersection in self-made spaces of participation (i.e. small cooperatives and informal local groups) and local governments “invited spaces” (i.e. street office, participatory budget, one-stop office, etc) and the impact those norms have…
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Leadership that Makes a Difference
What motivates and challenges women in political leadership? During The Swedish phase of the Women’s Political Leadership Programme, WPL, participants shared their experiences of what drives them, what makes leadership meaningful, and the obstacles they face in their daily work as local and regional politicians. It is about trust, integrity, and how to create long-term…
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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…
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Lidingö – Slavuta, Ukraine
Resilient Education: Empowering Democracy Through Critical Thinking The partnership between Lidingö and Slavuta focuses on resilient education, aiming to strengthen local democracy through critical thinking among youth. With the backdrop of war and societal challenges, the project emphasizes inclusive, accessible, and democracy-oriented education to strengthen social cohesion and long-term societal resilience. Both municipalities focus on…
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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…