Articles

Champions of Local Democracy

Through a series of personal portraits we highlight people who are playing a significant role in the development of local democracy where they live.

Ten million to result-oriented partnerships

11 Swedish municipalities have been granted a total of 10 641 000 SEK to conduct their municipal partnerships focusing on one or more of ICLD’s four core areas – equality, participation, transparency, and accountability. Swedish municipalities together with an international partner can apply for funds to a municipal partnership twice a year. Municipal partnerships increase …

20 years of partnership

This year, Gothenburg city and Nelson Mandela Bay municipality celebrates 20 years of partnership. It is one of the longest partnerships within ICLD and together the partners have carried out more than 10 different projects, mainly linked to sustainable urban planning and urban development. In both Nelson Mandela Bay municipality and Gothenburg, many people care …

Ten international Master’s students awarded ICLD fieldwork grants

Ten international Master’s students studying at Swedish universities were recently awarded ICLD fieldwork grants. The 20,000 SEK grant enables students to conduct a field study in a low- and middle income country for their thesis. The students will conduct their field studies during spring semester 2020. On December 9-10, the students participated in an introductory …

ICLD Fieldwork Grant

ICLD’s Fieldwork Grant is a programme for master’s students in Sweden. The aim of the programme is to provide an opportunity for students to conduct fieldwork abroad. The subject of study must have a strong connection to local democracy. Each thesis shall contribute to the understanding how local democracy and good governance can contribute to …

Champion of Local Democracy: Sister Margaret Atieno Osogo

“I am inspired by the fact that others through history have worked hard to make the world a better place for me to live in. It is now my turn to do good for others!”. We are honored to present Margaret Atieno Osogo, in our series of personal portraits of people who are playing a …

Youth in Falun and Tsumeb make their voices heard

“A large share of the population is comprised by youth and they are also the ones that will create and carry our future society” These words are Karin Perérs’s, project coordinator for the partnership between Falun in Sweden and Tsumeb Municipality in Namibia. The partnership started ten years ago and has since its inception yielded …

Call for Mentors in Asia – Inclusive Urban Development through SymbioCity

ICLD is making a call for three national mentors in Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam to the International Training Programme “Inclusive Urban Development through SymbioCity” Deadline for the applications: December 31st, 2019 The main responsibility of the Mentor is to support the six participants in its country, from two different municipalities, with their change projects and …

Long-term partnership – important steps towards real change

The objective of municipal partnerships is to strengthen local democracy by improving citizen’s access and by expanding opportunities for people to take part in local political processes. Local democracy is in itself a process, where time and devotion pays off. While some may dismiss “with age comes wisdom” as merely a cliché, certain aspects of …

Extended Call for papers on Rebel Cities

This year in June, the Local Democracy Academy hosted scholars from around the world to share ideas, network, and present their research on ‘Global challenges and Local governments: Towards Transformative Policy and Practice’, in Umeå, Sweden. This conference highlighted the increasing role cities and local government have in addressing a host of issues from immigration to climate change. We invite scholars with expertise this area to submit a paper proposal based on the theme below. We are in the process of identifying outlets for publication, but would like to start the solicitation process for papers.