Inclusive leadership and governance
ICLD launches empowering new cohort for Women’s Political Leadership
ICLD is thrilled to announce the acceptance of a fresh cohort of participants for the Women’s Political Leadership (WPL) programme. Comprising 23 dynamic women leaders—including mayors, deputy mayors, and governors from across the OECD-DAC region—this programme marks the eleventh round of a transformative initiative aimed at empowering women in local politics. This year’s group includes…
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…
Locally-led Adaptation as a Silver Bullet? Complexities, Needs, and Responses in Climate Adaptation at the Volta Coastline, Ghana
Sea-level rise increases the exposure of low-lying communities to climate risks along the eastern coast of Ghana, while adaptation responses are reactive and insufficient to secure fishing livelihoods in highly vulnerable areas. To better address needs, Locally-led Adaptation (LLA) promotes just climate governance by shifting power to local actors to enable context-specific and place-based responses.…
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…
Understanding the Complexities of Urban Flood Governance: A Case Study of Ruiru, Kenya
Urban flooding presents a significant challenge in developing cities, where rapid urbanisation, population growth, and infrastructure development intersect with natural processes and climate change. This study examines how governance structures influence urban flood management in Ruiru, Kenya. Through thematic analysis, this study explores local experiences with flooding, evaluates existing governance structures, and examines their effectiveness.…
Åre and Panajachel, Guatemala
Project: Local democracy, gender equality & education – A joint learning project The municipality of Åre in Sweden and the municipality of Panajachel in Guatemala are collaborating to address the issue of gender inequality and the exclusion of minority groups in municipal decision-making processes. This effort aims to strengthen local democracies in both municipalities through…
ICLD Mentor’s handbook
A mentor for ICLD is an experienced professional who is an expert in the network/programme topic and has an in-depth knowledge of the local context of the teams they are mentoring. Being a mentor allows you to share your experience and network, to promote and follow up progress in teams’ projects and to stay connected…
Kalix och Masaka, Uganda
The partnership of Kalix and Masaka are currently implementing 2 projects, both having a focus on youth. The Grow the Future project addresses the problem of limited capacities to include youth and children in decision-making processes in the local government in Masaka, Uganda. The main goal is to prioritize decision-making positions for young people and…
Empowering Local Voices: The Role of Participatory Research in SDG Voluntary Local Reviews
This report analyses the use of community-based, participatory methods in producing Voluntary Local Reviews. Since 2022, the Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy has supported municipalities with policy integration of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research teams together with three of these municipalities (Bijeljina in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Emboreet and Kibaha in Tanzania) applied community-based participatory…
