ICLD - Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy

26/08/2026

We are happy to see our knowledge and tools continue to be shared around the world, beyond ICLD. Thank you Local Government Association of Zambia for this initiative!

24/08/2026

Understanding Perinatal Mental Health – Important Findings from the ICLD Partnership between Kajiado and Norrbotten 💡

Within the ICLD partnership between Region Norrbotten. Sweden and Kaijado County, Kenya, we are pleased to share the publication of this academic article, with Caren Kamau as the first author:

https://link.eu.inky.net/link?domain=link.springer.com&t=h.eJxFjsuOAiEQRX_FsB4ehS1Du5pfoaHUCjR0AONi4r9LmxhTq5t7c079s3tN7Hxgt963dpYyUY6ibZXyFavwZZWudvIJJSgBYI1soK2dudKGazuOT-znwOIOodyxZtepZEypc4-51_vKU4ku8YBriXW08oKJPDnxwIB_Ax5EQ4nqYqwKMAcTFvTOLGqZISz66GdvtZfwa80J7JALOCo7TW8x7uKV_M0lsZHrsTxapA91X4T3a99MI8PzBcwxTO0.MEUCIG4V_LecTnPDFH1kYNAxKb7gN7GH9laCiHJ-KaxJrY6qAiEAyKlWncmi9GtvgUFQXsdOJ86fy2kZRqCm_c7huIVriiI

📸: Caren together with the co-authors,
From the left: Kristian Ekman, Caren Kamau, Ursula Werneke och Jane Karimi

19/08/2026

ICLD Local Democracy Academy — our international research conference — was held over three days in Visby at Campus Gotland, Uppsala University

More than 50 researchers from 22 countries came together to exchange knowledge, share ideas and experiences, and make plans for the future of the Academy, helping to ensure that this important platform continues beyond ICLD.

A big thank you to everyone who contributed to three inspiring days of conversations, collaboration and new ideas! We look forward to Local Democracy Academy in 2028!

Uppsala Forum for Africa Studies
Campus Gotland

Amalinda Savirani
Sten Hagberg
Quinton Mayne
Ana Maria VF

08/07/2026

Good news from the ICLD partnership between Dorotea, Sweden, Livingstone, Zambia, and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe!

Dorotea kommun is Sweden’s smallest municipality by population. Despite its size, its partnership with the municipalities of Livingstone and Victoria Falls has brought about significant positive change for children and young people in the municipalities!

* Livingstone has secured political support and funding to establish its first-ever Junior Council.

* Victoria Falls has allocated dedicated resources to youth engagement and has seen increased participation by young people in local development initiatives.

ICLD Programme Officer Liene Ledaine, is proud that this ICLD partnership has developed practical methods and approaches for youth inclusion that will remain embedded within the municipalities:

"Africa is the world’s youngest continent, and young people will play a decisive role in shaping its future. That is why municipalities need to establish long-term, sustainable mechanisms for youth participation—not as temporary projects, but as an integrated part of everyday municipal governance", says Liene Ledaine.

Read more: https://icld.se/en/article/sveriges-minsta-kommun-skapar-stor-forandring-for-unga/

30/06/2026

Our 2025 Annual Report is now available in English!

Explore the highlights of the past year, learn about the impact of our work, and discover how international partnerships between local governments have contributed to sustainable development.

As this is our final annual report, it also includes key figures and statistics covering ICLD’s entire period of operation, offering a look back at the organisation’s overall impact and achievements.

Download it here: https://icld.se/en/publications/icld-arsredovisning-2026/

27/06/2026

NEW PUBLICATION: Unlocking Climate Finance for Local Governments in Sub-Saharan Africa

How can local governments access and make better use of climate finance?

This new working paper presents analytical insights, case-based evidence, and governance lessons on climate finance for local governments in Sub-Saharan Africa. It draws on literature, comparative case studies, and ICLD-facilitated workshops.

Stay tuned – a practical toolbox based on the paper will be launched soon.

Until then, download the working paper here: https://icld.se/en/publications/unlocking-climate-finance-for-local-governments-in-sub-saharan-africa/

16/06/2026

From Partnership to Impact: inauguration of Saldanha Bay's Youth Council

We are very excited about the inauguration of the Youth Council of Saldanha Bay Municipality, South Africa! The Youth Council is one of the tangible outcomes of the ICLD partnership between Saldanha Bay and Karlskrona kommun in Sweden.

Watch the inauguration live here: https://www.youtube.com/live/ysX-KWAWnYc?si=KILSVgB0w7u-sVtv

South African Local Government Association (SALGA)

SBM Youth Council Inauguration 2026 on 16 June 2026

31/05/2026

New publication: Transversal Working for Democratic Action

This toolbox provides simple, practical methods to help local governments strengthen transversal working, and shows how this embeds democratic practice into everyday project work.

Download it here: https://icld.se/en/publications/transversal-working-for-democratic-action/

29/05/2026

ICLD strengthens governance and internal control

Strong internal control and good governance are essential for building transparent, accountable, and effective local governments. They strengthen trust between citizens and public institutions and help ensure that resources are used responsibly and fairly.

At ICLD, we actively work with these issues together with our partners around the world to strengthen local democracy, support accountable institutions, and promote sustainable and inclusive societies.

https://icld.se/en/article/strengthening-governance-and-internal-control/

Photo: Nancy Mwamba – Director of Finance, MLGRD

28/05/2026

Fler kvinnor ska känna sig trygga med att föda på sjukhus!

ICLD-partnerskapet mellan Region Västerbotten och Amazonas & Vaupes, skapar nya möjligheter för att stärka en mer mer jämlik sjukvård.

Vi vill gratulera läkarstudenten Shaima Hadziegric, som läser det glesbygdsmedicinska spåret på läkarutbildningen vid Umeå universitet och har fått ett Minor Field Studies-stipendium för sitt examensarbete.

Med stöd från stipendiet reser hon i höst till Amazonas i Colombia för att genomföra sin studie hos en av våra samarbetspartners i Vaupés. Där ska hon undersöka vårdpersonals erfarenheter av arbetet med att kombinera urfolkens kunskap och traditioner kring graviditet och förlossning med västerländsk vård, i syfte att fler kvinnor ska känna sig trygga med att föda på sjukhus.

Samarbetet med Gobernación del Vaupés har byggts upp genom vårt pågående jämställdhetsprojekt tillsammans med partners i Colombia, finansierat av ICLD - Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy.

Bilden är tagen tidigare i år när våra samarbetspartners från Colombia besökte oss i Vilhelmina, extra roligt är också att vår forskare Hanna Morian är handledare för projektet.

Vi ser fram emot att följa Shaimas arbete! 👏💙