Training staff to become Child Rights Ambassadors is a practical and effective way to strengthen the protection of children’s rights. Through the ICLD partnership between Jinja City and Region Stockholm/Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, a concrete tool has been developed: the Child Rights Ambassador Toolbox. It is a step-by-step guide for training people to become ambassadors…
At the ICLD Network meeting held in Tallinn this November, mayors and political leaders from both Ukraine and Sweden gathered to reflect on the future of their municipal partnerships. The discussion centred on how cooperation can become more resilient and sustainable, extending beyond individual projects, key people, and political cycles. The speakers shared a series…
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
PostsWe 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…
With more than 100 participants – including politicians, youth leaders, researchers, government officials and NGOs , our alumni conference Youth Inclusion in Local Governance, co-organised with the University of Zambia (UNZA) in Lusaka from 7–9 October 2025, was a great success. We heard many powerful and insightful voices, gained new knowledge, explored innovative methods, and…
Youth inclusion in local governance is a catalyst for building resilient, innovative and sustainable communities. Across East Africa, municipalities are discovering the power of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) clubs in schools – platforms where students learn about the SDGs, develop leadership skills and take action in their communities. These clubs are a powerful result of…
At the international seminar Reshaping Power for Equality, held in Stockholm on 23–24 September, local and global leaders gathered to discuss how women’s leadership can transform governance and democracy. The conference was co-organized by UCLG and SALAR. ICLD took part in the panel “Women’s Political Participation in Action,” which showcased practical ways to break barriers…
Ejemplo local de Guatemala En ICLD trabajamos para garantizar que más mujeres tengan la oportunidad de asumir roles de liderazgo en los gobiernos locales. La participación política es un derecho humano y, cuando más mujeres ocupan puestos de poder, las decisiones tienden a ser más inclusivas y a menudo priorizan la justicia social, la educación…
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…
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…
