The Network for Democratic Resilience (DR) brings together 30 municipalities from Sweden and Ukraine in a shared mission: to strengthen democratic institutions and practices and build resilient societies, even in times of war or crisis.
Democratic resilience refers to a political system’s capacity to withstand challenges and adapt to threats without compromising its core democratic principles, institutions, or processes.
Between 2024 and 2026, the partnerships will focus on strengthening democratic initiatives, promoting social cohesion, and ensuring inclusive governance. Four network meetings have already been held, and the next meeting will focus on institutionalising project results and spreading the lessons learned beyond individual partnerships.
The network actively supports Ukraine’s EU-accession by promoting implementation of EU principles at the local level. These activities help municipalities align with EU standards in transparency, democracy, and institutional capacity.
The DR Network is powered by the dedication and engagement of all 30 municipalities, whose commitment to collaboration and democracy drives tangible, lasting change.
Timeline: 2024- 2026
Countries: Ukraine and Sweden
Mentors
Most partnerships in the network have a mentor. Read more about the mentorship
Learn more about the partnerships
The project leaders of Jönköping and Berdychiv. Partnership for Sustainable Reconstruction and Democratic Urban Planning
Participants in the mayors panel, from the left: Andrii Naida, Kalush, Janet Ågren, Umeå, Vitalii Bielobrov, Cherson, Erik Ciardi, Kalmar, Volodymyr Shmatko, Chortkiv. Moderator: Mariya Tuzyk, ICLD mentor Strengthening Swedish–Ukrainian partnerships: Insights from Mayors and Political Leaders
Photo by @madara on Unsplash New municipal partnership: Berg, Sweden and Krolevets, Ukraine
Bild från när Shepetivka och Karlskoga träffades. I mitten ses Shepetivkas borgmästare Vitalii Buzyl tillsammans med Tony Ring, kommunstyrelsens ordförande i Karlskoga. Flaggorna är respektive kommunvapen. New partnership approved: Karlskoga, Sweden and Shepetivka, Ukraine
På bilden ses borgmästaren i Chortkiv, Volodymyr Shmatko, tillsammans med Kommunstyrelsens ordförande Emma Swhan Nilsson och Peter Glimvall, Kommunfullmäktiges ordförande i Karlskrona. Foto: Karlskrona kommun Karlskrona’s Folk High School inspires ‘Silver Age University’ in Chortkiv
Ukrainian local government officials during a workshop with the research team to discuss the chalelnges and opportunities with participation during wartime. Credit: Kyiv School of Economics Strengthening Local Resilience through Democracy – Lessons from Ukrainian Municipalities
Vitalii Bielobrov Deputy Mayor, Kherson. Photo: ICLD Vitalii – Champion of Local Democracy
Active Swedish-Ukrainian Partnerships
Falun & Kolomiya
Entrepreneurship and Youth Participation
Piteå & Lutsk
Youth Inclusion
Höör & Kopychynitsi
Youth Inclusion and Community Development
Jönköping & Berdychiv
Inclusive Urban Planning
Kalmar & Poltava
Transformation for EU-Integration
Karlskrona & Chortkiv
Democracy through Adult Education
Berg & Krolevets
Youth Inclusion
Trollhättan & Fastiv
Youth Inclusion and EU-Integration
Umeå & Kherson
Rebuilding Sustainable Cities
Ronneby & Ternopil
Inclusive Planning and Wastewater Management
Karlskoga & Shepetivka
Waste Management
Västerås & Shatsk
Childrens Rights and Civil Preparedness
Växjö & Kalush
Inclusive Leadership and Governance
Lidingö & Slavuta
Inclusive and Democratic Education
Gotland & Berislav
Strong Democratic Institutions
Publications and research projects
Local Democracy and Resilience in Ukraine: Learning from Communities’ Crisis Response in War
Volunteers and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Novovolynsk. Source: Novovolynsk City Council
Policy Brief
Research report
Policy Brief
Toolbox