16 – Fredliga och inkluderande samhällen
Deciding Together: Citizen Satisfaction and Institutional Design of Participatory Governance in Kenya
This policy brief provides practical insights for local governments on leveraging participatory budgeting (PB) to enhance citizen satisfaction and ownership of development projects. Based on a study in rural Kenya, three PB approaches—consultation, voting, and deliberation—were evaluated. All methods increased satisfaction and willingness to invest in projects, demonstrating their value in strengthening community engagement. Deliberation,…
Växjö – Kalush, Ukraine
This project focuses on increasing youth participation in local governance by addressing a significant gap in democratic awareness among young people. The main ambition is to empower youth aged 17-25 to actively engage in decision-making processes within the Kalush community. This goal aligns with a broader vision of strengthening democratic governance and enhancing critical thinking…
Local Democracy and Resilience in Ukraine: Learning from Communities’ Crisis Response in War
The research report explores the resilience of local self-governments (LSGs) in Ukraine during the Russian invasion, highlighting their crucial role in crisis response despite significant challenges. LSGs have adapted to wartime conditions by relocating operations, managing resource shortages, and engaging with citizens and stakeholders to meet critical needs such as infrastructure repair, IDP support, and…
Umeå and Kherson
Citizen Dialogue for Inclusive Reconstruction The partnership between Umeå and Kherson focuses on advancing democratic processes through inclusive urban planning, with citizen dialogue as a central pillar. A key achievement has been the development of an open-source digital tool that allows citizens to explore city maps and submit feedback directly on planned development initiatives. While…
Ronneby and Ternopil
Sustainable Water Management through Local Expertise and Community Inclusion The partnership between Ronneby and Ternopil focuses on sustainable water management, particularly access to clean water and stormwater handling—critical components of local democratic resilience and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Recognizing the complexity of these issues, both municipalities have involved experts within their local administrations.…
Därför ska vi stärka lokal demokrati
Återkommande rapporter visar samma sak – allt fler människor lever i diktaturer. För 20 år sedan levde över hälften av världens befolkning i en demokrati, idag är det mindre än en tredjedel. Detta har inte skett över en dag utan det är en glidande skala där olika rättigheter och friheter inskränks och avskaffas tillsammans med…
Svensk-ukrainska partnerskap bygger framtiden
Det finns en stor vilja hos svenska kommuner och regioner att stödja och stärka det ukrainska lokalsamhället, men också lära av deras erfarenheter avseende krisberedskap i alla dess former. 26 ukrainska och svenska kommuner som ingår i ICLD:s partnerskapsnätverk som möjliggör ett konkret och praktiskt erfarenhetsutbyte, kommunerna emellan. Kommunerna träffades i Bryssel under en nätverkskonferens…
Fostering Women’s representation in Local Democracy – A Qualitative Analysis of the Factors Surrounding Female Political Participation at a Mayor Office Level in Colombia
This study critically examines the gendered experiences of female political candidates running for mayoral offices in Colombia. It addresses the systemic exclusion women face in a patriarchal political system, compounded by economic constraints, political violence, and societal norms. Through seven qualitative interviews, the research identifies the strategies used by women to overcome these barriers. The…
QCSOs, Mobilization and Democratization: A Case Study of the 2023 Post-Election Protests in Guatemala
This research examines the essential role of Quotidian Civil Society Organizations (QCSOs) in Guatemala’s efforts to resist autocratization and promote democratization, particularly in light of the 2023 electoral scandal. It studies the mobilization efforts of indigenous and non-indigenous communities, by exploring how QCSOs tackle cultural, economic, and political challenges to support democratic resilience. Using an…
Drawing rural paths on the urban margins: An Ethnographic Study of Peacebuilding, Displacement and Place-making in Medellín Largest Informal Settlement
This thesis provides an in-depth ethnographic analysis of La Nueva Jerusalén, Medellín’s largest informal settlement, exploring the complex interplay between displacement, place-making, and a territorial perspective within the urban margins. It examines how displaced populations engage with and transform their newly inhabited urban spaces, forging communities at the intersection of rural and urban dynamics amid…
