Lessons from Ukrainian-Swedish municipal partnerships
The ICLD Network for Democratic Resilience brings together 30 Swedish and Ukrainian municipalities working to strengthen democratic institutions, inclusive governance, and local resilience in times of crisis and war. This policy brief draws on case studies from 13 partnerships (2022–2026), interviews, and research, showing how peer-to-peer cooperation supports EU integration through stronger participation, transparent governance, and community resilience under pressure, while offering lessons for democratic resilience across Europe.