SALAR International

SALAR International is a part of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions. We work globally to strengthen democracy and good governance at the local level. We focus on the development of well-functioning local and regional administrations. Our vision is a world where all people have the power to shape their own lives in inclusive local democracies and sustainable communities.

What we do

Democracy and accountability

We believe in the principle of subsidiarity, where decisions are taken as close to communities as possible. This allows for resources to be allocated in a way that responds to local needs, and for development challenges to be identified and tackled.
Rights, participation and equality

We seek to support inclusive and peaceful societies, where people and groups participate in decision-making. We strive to implement a rights-based approach, underpinned by principles of non-discrimination and participation. Service delivery by local governments can be a key vector for promoting social inclusion.
Resilience and sustainability

As local and regional governments and communities around the world are faced with fast-paced changes, social, economic, and ecological sustainability becomes paramount. Resilience, including absorptive, adaptive, and transformative capacities to respond to threats and challenges, is at the core of our work.
Global response to local challenges

The world today is interconnected, and global challenges are most keenly felt at the local level. Therefore we seek to use examples from the local level to influence global response and support local government´s ability to implement their mandate and serve citizens.

News

North Macedonia’s Educators Lead a New Wave of Environmental Awareness in Schools
Across seven municipalities in North Macedonia, 42 primary school teachers from 14 schools have completed an intensive educational program on sustainability and waste management, turning les... 2025-11-28 News North Macedonia
Local Governments as Key Actors in Albania´s EU Integration
At the recent conference “Levelling up: The Role of Albanian Municipalities in EU Integration,” SALAR International’s Senior Advisor Magnus Liljeström emphasised a message that shaped our wo... 2025-11-26 News