ICLD - Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy

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! 👏💙

28/05/2026

United for Gender Equality

ICLD’s final network meeting was held this week in Guatemala with our Gender Equality Network and participants from municipalities in Colombia, Guatemala and Sweden 🇨🇴🇬🇹🇸🇪

Important steps have been taken in the work to increase gender equality in areas such as education, healthcare, and urban planning. The work takes time and it is not easy, but it is life-saving and essential for building sustainable, democratic, and inclusive societies.

Gender equality is not only a human right — it strengthens communities, improves public health, reduces poverty, and creates better opportunities for future generations. When women and men have equal opportunities to participate and influence society, everyone benefits💪🏾💪🏻

📸: Participants from ICLD’s Gender Equality network gathered in Guatemala for the final
network meeting.

19/05/2026

The Work for Democratic Resilience Must Continue 🇸🇪🇺🇦

ICLD is holding the final conference for our network on democratic resilience, bringing together Swedish and Ukrainian municipalities.

Our successful network has created strong results, meaningful cooperation, and lasting bonds of friendship. Everyone involved shares the conviction that this important work must continue!

As the Ambassador of Ukraine to Sweden, Svitlana Zalishchuk, said:
“To protect democracy, we need cooperation. I want to thank all of you for not giving in to fatigue and for carrying out this important work every day.”

13/05/2026

Last week, ICLD together with Local Government Association of Zambia organised a half-day seminar aimed at strengthening governance and internal control systems within local authorities through peer learning and dialogue with national oversight institutions.

The particpants where local government officials, specifically Directors of Finance and Directors of Planning from 10 selected local authorities (20 participants in total).

Discussions focused on improving knowledge and practice in public financial management, governance frameworks, internal audit standards, accountability, and compliance related to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Participants also reflected on recurring audit findings, explored their root causes, and shared practical solutions and experiences from their own councils.

The seminar created an important space for peer exchange and supported local authorities in identifying concrete actions to strengthen transparency, accountability, and internal control systems in their daily work.

Photo 1: The participants
Photo 2: Nancy Mwamba, Director of Finance, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development-Zambia

09/05/2026

On Europe Day, 9 May, we want to highlight the important role of local governments in Ukraine’s European integration process.

Our newly launched Policy Brief, How Local Governments Can Accelerate EU Integration, brings together experiences, methods, and practical insights from 13 ICLD partnerships between Swedish and Ukrainian municipalities.

The brief shows how peer-to-peer cooperation can support EU integration through stronger citizen participation, transparent governance, and resilient local communities under pressure — while also offering important lessons for democratic resilience across Europe.

Read more and download the publication here: https://icld.se/en/publications/how-local-goverments-can-accelerate-eu-interation/

08/05/2026

16 local political women leaders from 8 different countries across 3 continents, together with their Swedish mentors – this is the ICLD Women’s Political Leadership Programme 2026!

This programme is not only about empowering and strengthening women leaders. It is about transforming local democracy through women’s leadership. The participants are not simply increasing representation; they are contributing to a shift in how governance is practised – making it more inclusive, more participatory, and more accountable.

Photo: Participants and mentors visiting SALAR in Stockholm.

01/05/2026

A Municipal Accessibility Toolbox – new publication from ICLD

Based on the Guidelines for Accessibility and Universal Design for Cities and Municipalities, developed by Vračar Municipality in partnership with Borås City, this toolbox translates principles into practical steps to support cities and municipalities in turning ambition into action.

The toolbox is structured around four key areas:
• Inclusive governance and budgeting
• Accessible communication and information
• Accessible municipal service delivery
• Accessibility in the built environment

Download the toolbox here: https://icld.se/en/publications/designing-for-inclusion/