Published 20 March 2023

News from SALAR International

  • Sida Director-General Visits Dymer Hromada in Ukraine

    Dymer Hromada was among the first in Kyiv Oblast to experience occupation and is now steadily restoring daily life, public spaces, and local institutions—planning its development with a view to the future. During his working visit, Jakob Granit, Director-General of Sida, explored the hromada’s approaches to recovery and its partnership priorities within the Polaris Programme.

  • Celebrating 25 Years of Strengthening Local Democracy

    This year, SALAR International proudly celebrates 25 years of advancing local governance and democracy around the world. Over the past quarter century, we’ve partnered with municipalities, associations, and institutions to create lasting change and build stronger, more inclusive communities.

  • Building Cities for People, Local Democracy Are at the Heart of Urban Development

    Every year on 31 October, World Cities Day brings Urban October to a close by celebrating the role of cities as engines of progress, resilience, and innovation. This year’s theme, People-Centred Smart Cities , reminds us that true innovation in urban development begins with people, their needs, participation, and the local institutions that represent them.

  • Ukraine to Introduce the Nordic Waste Labelling System

    Ukraine is preparing to adopt the Nordic waste labelling system, a model already used across Sweden and several other EU countries to guide citizens in proper waste sorting and recycling. The initiative marks another important step towards harmonising Ukraine’s waste management practices with European standards.

  • Sweden and Ukraine Join Forces to Advance Local Recovery Efforts

    Initiated within the framework of the Polaris Programme, SALAR International and the Recovery Agency of Ukraine discussed joint steps in supporting municipalities, or hromadas’, recovery. As part of a working visit to Ukraine, Ryan Knox, Managing Director of SALAR International met with Ivan Lukeria, Deputy Head of the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.

  • All-Ukrainian Local Governance Associations at the European Week of Regions and Cities

    The SALAR International Polaris Programme “Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine”, together with the Cities4Cities initiative, has supported the participation of Ukraine’s all-Ukrainian local governance associations in the European Week of Regions and Cities – the European Union’s largest annual forum dedicated to regional development and cohesion policy, that took place in Brussels on 13–15 October.

  • One Year of the Programme WM4U

    On 9 October, Kyiv hosted the first annual conference of the Swedish-Ukrainian “Waste Management for Ukraine” (WM4U) programme. The conference served not only as an opportunity to report on achievements but also as a platform for dialogue on the European future of Ukraine’s waste management sector, inter-municipal cooperation, and environmental sustainability.

  • The European Charter of Local Self-Government and Its Enduring Relevance for SALAR International

    This October marks 40 years since the European Charter of Local Self-Government was opened for signature. Adopted by the Council of Europe in October 1985, the Charter has become the leading international benchmark for local democracy, self-government, and decentralisation. It recognises that democracy begins at the local level, where citizens engage directly with their elected representatives and where public services most tangibly affect daily life.

  • 15 Municipalities Awarded Grants for Swedish-Ukrainian Initiatives

    The Swedish-Ukrainian Polaris Programme "Supporting Multi-level Governance in Ukraine", implemented by SALAR International, has announced the results of the open call under the “Grant Support for Swedish-Ukrainian Partnerships” competition. Fifteen Ukrainan municipalities will receive resources for joint activities with their Swedish counterparts, with a total budget of EUR 150,000. The competition is implemented by the Cities4Cities initiative within Polaris’ International Municipal Cooperation track.

  • Strengthening Women´s Leadership in Ukrainian Municipalities

    Inspired by Sweden’s long-standing work with women’s leadership networks, the "Women in Governance Network", was recently created in Ukraine within the framework of the Polaris Programme - Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine.

  • Strengthening Partnerships: Visit of SALAR International Board to Bosnia and Herzegovina

    In September, Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomed the Board of SALAR International for a visit that carried a clear message: the country’s journey towards the European Union cannot be complete without strong, empowered local governments and the associations that represent them.

  • Reshaping Power for Equality: Women’s Political Participation and the Future of Democracy

    On 23–24 September 2025, SALAR International, together with the Swedish Associations of Local Governments and Regions (SALAR) and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) hosted the international conference “Reshaping Power for Equality: Women’s Political Participation and the Future of Democracy” in Stockholm. The event brought together around 100 leaders, policymakers, and experts from 48 countries to discuss how to strengthen feminist leadership and advance democratic renewal.

  • Municipalities Step Forward in a Dialogue on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU Path

    As Bosnia and Herzegovina moves closer to the European Union, it is becoming clearer that the success of the accession process will depend not only on decisions taken at higher levels of government, but also on the daily work of municipalities and cities. Local governments are the ones who deliver services, uphold standards, and communicate reforms to citizens, which will eventually make them the frontline actors of the country’s European accession.

  • Building Sustainable Local Governance in Iraq: LOGDEVI Concludes After Two Years of Transformative Work

    The Swedish-funded Local Governance Development Project in Iraq – Phase 2 (LOGDEVI2) is concluded after two years of implementation. Led by SALAR International and IRFAD, the initiative strengthened inclusive governance in Duhok, Diwaniyah, and Muthanna.

  • Local First: Local Leadership in Times of Crisis

    On September 9, SALAR International organised a conference entitled "Local First: Local Leadership in Times of Crisis", in collaboration with the Environment and Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU) at the American University of Beirut. The conference highlighted the learnings from SALAR International’s work in Lebanon.

  • Strengthening Education and Recovery in Kharkiv Region: Polaris Expands Partnerships

    The Polaris Programme, implemented by SALAR International, has taken further steps to support recovery and development in Kharkiv Oblast through new agreements that highlight the importance of education, resilience, and local governance.

  • Join #EURegionsWeek: Start Municipal Partnerships with Ukraine

    Be part of this year’s European Week of Regions and Cities on 13–15 October 2025) and discover how your municipality can collaborate with Ukrainian municipalities on the interactive session “Start Municipal Partnerships with Ukraine: build resilience and solidarity”.

  • Sweden to Support Local Public Authorities in Moldova on Their Path to European Integration

    Local public authorities across the Republic of Moldova will benefit from the support of the Moldovan-Swedish project PACE Local: Local Public Administration, Citizen Engagement, launched today in Chișinău.

  • Sanitation and Waste Management in the DRC: A Great Challenge

    With 84% of its population lacking access to basic sanitation services, the DRC faces mounting waste and health crises. A recent exchange visit to Sweden offered Congolese experts practical solutions and renewed determination on how to battle the challenges.

  • New Project to Enhance a Strong Local Public Administration in Moldova

    The project, Public Administration, Citizen Engagement (PACE Local) 2025-2029 is funded by Sida and will support the central government in implementing the Public Administration Reform Strategy 2023-30 and assist the country’s strategic orientation towards EU accession.

  • NALAS-Led Mission Kicks Off Comprehensive Study on Fiscal Decentralisation in Armenia

    As part of ongoing efforts to support the decentralisation reform agenda in Armenia, the Support to Decentralisation and Local Self-Government Reforms in Armenia (DeaLoG) project has launched a comprehensive study on fiscal decentralisation. The study is carried out by the team of international and local experts led by Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS).

  • Inspiring the Swedish Model: Exchange on Decentralisation and Local Development between the DR Congo and Sweden

    Within the framework of the AGIR project – Support for Inclusive and Accountable Governance, nine professionals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) participated in a study trip to Sweden and SALAR. The main objective of this initiative was to exchange experiences on decentralisation, democracy, and local development models to seek inspiration and new creative methods.

  • When Local Governments Lead: Lessons from Colombia at the PFD Meeting 2025

    At the 2025 Policy Forum on Development (PFD), SALAR International delivered a clear and timely message: local and regional governments must be recognized as key partners in building sustainable and peaceful societies, particularly in fragile contexts.

  • A Month of Progress – Local Actions Driving Regional Waste Management Reform in North Macedonia

    Throughout May 2025, the “Sustainable Municipal Waste Management Services” project, supported by Sweden and implemented by SALAR International, marked a month of active engagement, infrastructure development, and cross-border learning, all aimed at accelerating the rollout of the Regional Waste Management System (RWMS) in North Macedonia.

  • From Vision to Practice: Kosovo Delegation Explores Sweden´s Model for Fiscal Decentralisation

    How do you build a local government system that is both empowered and accountable? That question was at the heart of a recent study visit to Sweden, where a high-level delegation from Kosovo engaged with SALAR International and Swedish counterparts to explore how fiscal decentralisation and performance-based financing can drive more responsive, capable municipalities.

  • Grant Support for Swedish-Ukrainian partnerships

    The SALAR International Polaris Programme "Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine" announces an open call "Grant Support for Swedish–Ukrainian Partnerships" for hromadas that have established or are planning to establish cooperation with Swedish municipalities. The competition is carried out by the Cities4Cities initiative which is implementing the "International Municipal Cooperation" sphere of the Polaris Programme.

  • 240 Waste Containers From Sweden Delivered to Ukraine

    A transport of 240 1,000-liter waste containers arrived to the Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk last week. The delivery is part of WM4U – Avfall Sverige and SALAR International’s mission to strengthen waste management in the war-torn country.

  • Decentralisation and Inequality in the MENA Region: Insights From Research and Practice

    One month has now passed since the event “Decentralisation and Inequality in the MENA Region” was arranged by SALAR International in collaboration with the Governance and Local Development Institute (GLD) of the University of Gothenburg.

  • Integrating Gender Equality into Local Governance: Bosnia and Herzegovina Learning from Sweden

    From May 12 to 16 a delegation from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) visited Sweden to learn about swedish experience in integrating Gender Equality into Local Governance. The study visist was designed not only to exchange knowledge and practical experiences but to spark new ideas.

  • Ukraine and Sweden Launch 11 New Municipal Partnerships

    On May 20-21, Sweden hosted the Second Swedish-Ukrainian Forum on Municipal Partnerships. Two agreements was signed during the forum: between Ivano-Frankivsk and Luleå, and between Chuhuiv and Danderyd. In total, Ukraine and Sweden established and deepened 11 partnerships between municipalities during the forum.

  • Local Administration in Transition: Towards Inclusive and Accountable Local Governance in Syria

    This policy brief, jointly developed by SALAR International and LUGARIT, draws on empirical insights from dialogue workshops held with local governance actors across Syria, particularly in areas recently re-integrated under Damascus’s new administration.

  • SALAR International Joins AECD 2025 in Riyadh to Advance Local Climate Resilience and Governance

    SALAR International was proud to participate in the Arab European Cities Dialogue (AECD) held in Riyadh from 11–13 May 2025. The forum brought together mayors, municipal leaders, and institutional partners from across the Arab region and Europe to exchange experiences on climate change, decentralization, and inclusive urban governance.

  • Ukrainian Municipalities Visit Swedish Counterparts

    In early May, a week-long series of study visits took place as part of the Sida-funded program Waste Management for Ukraine (WM4U), implemented by SALAR International in collaboration with Avfall Sverige. Around 20 representatives from four Ukrainian municipal clusters visited their Swedish partner municipalities in the regions of Stockholm, Gothenburg, Gävle, and Malmö.

  • From Lund to Yerevan: Sharing
    Sweden´s Local Governance Experience

    From May 5 to 7, Philip Sandberg, Deputy Mayor of Lund, Sweden, visited Armenia within the framework of the DeaLoG program. This visit took place in the context of Armenia’s ongoing decentralisation and local self-government reforms, aiming at strengthening the autonomy and increase of effectiveness of local authorities.

  • INLOG Regional Workshop in Jordan: Advancing Inclusive Local Governance in the MENA Region

    The second regional workshop of the Inclusive Local Governance (INLOG) Programme was successfully held in Amman, Jordan. Over the course of four days, participants from across the region gathered to discuss key themes such as gender mainstreaming, inclusive planning processes, and the continued development of their in-country work as part of the programme.

  • Threads Tell the Story – When Climate Change Speaks Through Craft

    As part of the Environmental Communication Conference 2025, hosted by Mistra Environmental Communication research programme in Uppsala, Sweden, SALAR International presented the exhibition "Threads tell the Story" aiming to reflect the lived ecperiences of communities in Iraq facing the impacts of climate change.

  • WM4U commissions Sweco to develop new waste tarfiff system in Ukraine

    As part of the work to reform Ukraine’s municipal waste management, Sweco has been commissioned to develop a new, sustainable and transparent tariff system. The assignment is being carried out within the framework of the Sida-funded WM4U – Waste Management for Ukraine – which aims to strengthen Ukraine’s transition to a circular and EU-compliant waste sector.

  • SALAR International Participates in Governance Workshop in Damascus

    On 24 – 25 April, SALAR International joined the Syria team of the Sida-funded Inclusive Local Governance (INLOG) programme for a historic, first workshop in Damascus.

  • Sustainable Waste Management: A Key Step Toward a Cleaner Future for North Macedonia

    In early April, the “Rethinking Waste – Turning Challenges into Sustainable Solutions” conference in Skopje, North Macedonia, brought together experts, policymakers, and international partners to advocate for urgent reforms in the country’s waste management system.

  • Lozova Receives First Donation From Sweden

    Uppsala Municipality donates 191 waste bins to Lozova in the Kharkiv region. This is the first donation within the WM4U – Waste Management for Ukraine initiative and a concrete step to improve waste management in the war-affected Ukrainian municipality.

  • Municipalities are Ready for Cooperation to Strengthen Waste Management in Ukraine

    WM4U, Waste Management for Ukraine is up and running – and the collaboration between Swedish and Ukrainian municipalities is gaining momentum. Four municipal clusters in Ukraine have now been connected with four Swedish counterparts to jointly strengthen waste management in Ukraine. With a focus on environmental sustainability, climate improvement, and increased quality of life, the programme aims to strengthen both local and national efforts in Ukraine.

  • Memorandum of Understanding Signed Between SALAR International and Armenia´s Ministry of Education

    In February, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports (MoESCS) of the Republic of Armenia, the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) and SALAR International. The signing signifies a joint commitment to strengthening local governance and promoting education decentralisation in Armenia.

  • Participate on "Decentralization and Inequality - Lessons from the MENA-region"

    The Governance and Local Development Institute of the University of Gothenburg (GLD) and SALAR International invites you to join us in discussions and the book launch for "Decentralization, Local Governance, and Inequality in the Middle East and North Africa", edited by Kristen Kao and Ellen Lust.

  • Decentralising Education: Highlights from Armenia's Second Municipal Forum

    On February 20, the second annual Municipal Forum took place in Yerevan bringing together over 80 participants from across Armenia. This year, the forum focused on the topic of education decentralisation, highlighting the role of local governments in shaping and implementing educational reforms.

  • Study Visit from Moldova

    SALAR and SALAR International recently hosted a study visit from Moldova including mayors, representatives from the State Chancellery, the Parliamentery Committee on Public Administration, Ministry of Finance, EGA and the Bureau for European Integration. As Moldova navigates its reform process, SALAR International provided a space for the delegation to learn about Swedish knowledge and experiences from municipal government as a pathway into meaningful support for public administration reform connected to EU accession.

  • Key Recommendations from the EU-EaP Local Leaders Seminar

    On 28 November, Local government associations (LGAs), EU institutions, think tanks, NGOs and senior national representatives gathered in Brussels for a seminar on engagement of local authorities in EU Integration, co-organised by SALAR International and PLATFORMA.

  • Final Working Group Established in the AGIR Project in Democratic Republic of Congo

    A final mission of the year to Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) and the AGIR project marked the final preparatory phase before starting to work on the ground in the next operational phase of AGIR.

  • Regional Exchange in Foucs When MENA Countries Met in Tunisia

    Last week marked an exciting milestone for SALAR International’s Inclusive Local Governance (INLOG) programme, as the first regional phase of the initiative was launched. Participants from five MENA region countries joined the workshop in Tunisia to exchange experiences from the region and from each other, discuss challenges and learn about Swedish experience and methods on decentralisation and local governance.

  • Four Takeaways From the World Urban Forum in Cairo

    World Urban Forum 12 brought together leaders, innovators and advocates to focus on local actions that can drive sustainable urban development globally.
    It has now been two weeks since it took place in Cairo, Egypt and there has been time to reflect on the fruitful discussions and dialogues that SALAR International were part of.

  • Local Self-Governments Can Make a Significant Contribution to Preventing Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women

    On November 6, the conference “Gender-Responsible Local Governments: Local Approaches and Development Strategies in Service of Preventing Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women.” took place in Jahorina, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The event highlighted the vital role local self-governments play in addressing domestic violence and violence against women, fostering collaboration and innovative solutions at the municipal level.

  • Armenian Municipalities Are Ready to Have a Faster Pace Towards Decentralisation

    During a visit to Armenia in October, the SALAR International team met with partner municipalities to get insights about the country’s decentralisation reform process and how to best support them moving forward.

  • SALAR International at the World Urban Forum

    4-6 November the World Urban Forum is taking place in Cairo, Egypt. SALAR International will participate and through different dialogue and networking sessions, we will emphasize local governments’ roles in urban resilience and sustainable urban development.

  • A New Swedish-Ukrainian Multi-Year Initiative ‘WM4U- Waste Management for Ukraine ’ Has Been Launched in Ukraine

    On October 11, 2024, the new Swedish-Ukrainian multi-year initiative ‘ WM4U – Waste Management for Ukraine’ was officially launched, aimed at supporting Ukraine´s reforms – and adaptation to EU standards - of municipal waste management. The event in Kyiv brought together Ukrainian and Swedish officials, municipal leaders, local government associations, experts, and representatives of various international aid programs.

  • Study Visit on Circular Economy in Gothenburg

    Gothenburg city has an ambitious plan to become sustainable, which includes a goal to become climate neutral by 2030. To make this happen they are forced to make the economy circular and the visitors from Serbia are learning how during a study visit in September.

  • Polaris Programme Launched in Ukraine to Strengthen Decentralisation and Multilevel Governance

    On October 3, 2024, SALAR International officially launched the Polaris Programme, aimed at supporting Ukraine's multilevel governance, decentralisation, and recovery from 2024 to 2028. The event in Kyiv brought together Ukrainian and Swedish officials, municipal leaders, local government associations, experts, and representatives of various international aid programs.

  • Dialogue Enables New Revenues in Kasumbalesa

    To improve local transport and activate an unclear taxation system, the Mayor of the municipality Kasumbalesa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) decided to open for direct dialogue with key stakeholders. It had a surprisingly positive effect.

  • Municipalities from North Macedonia Gain Insights from Swedish Experiences in Sustainable Waste Management

    6 pilot municipalities from South-west and Pelagonija regions of North Macedonia discuss collaborative waste management initiatives during a study visit to Sweden, organised by SALAR International.

  • Sida, Avfall Sverige and SALAR Sign Agreement on New Programme to Support Municipal Waste Management in Ukraine

    Sida, Avfall Sverige and SALAR have signed an agreement for implementing the programme Strengthening of Municipal Waste Management in Ukraine (2024–2027), representing a long-term initiative aimed at helping to transform municipal waste management in Ukraine and adapt to EU standards. The programme amounts to SEK 160 million and will be implemented by SALAR International and Avfall Sverige.

  • SALAR International Strengthens Collaboration With Official Partners in Iraq

    During late May 2024, SALAR International paid a visit to official partners in south and central Iraq to follow-up on project progress and reenforce working relations with new leaders and high officials after the local elections.

  • Sida and SALAR Sign Agreement on New Programme to Support Democracy, Decentralisation and Recovery in Ukraine

    Building on the previous impactful projects of SALAR International in Ukraine, SALAR and Sida have agreed revamp cooperation and to launch a new programme for development in Ukraine. The new programme, initially funded by 250 million SEK from Sida, will span the period of 2024-2028 and aims to further Ukrainian efforts to decentralise, strengthen municipalities, and support the work with recovery.

  • Best Practices and Opportunities in Reconstruction and Recovery Discussed at “Rethinking Cities in Ukraine” Conference

    During the conference in Stockholm on the 29th of April, 5 frontline municipalities from Ukraine showcased their reconstruction projects developed in the “Rethinking Cities for Ukraine” programme. Stakeholders, government representatives and partners also shared opportunities for funding and valuable insight in the reconstruction work and urban development in Ukraine.

  • Improving Local Governance in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

    As part of his visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina in April, SALAR International Managing Director, Ryan Knox, attended a conference on „Guaranteeing local autonomy in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina through compliance with the standards of the European Charter of Local Self-Government“ in Sarajevo.

  • Orienteering Promotes Peaceful Cohabitation in Lebanon

    On 20-21 April, 250 participants gathered in the Jurd al-Qayteh area in Akkar, Lebanon, for the SALAR International organized orienteering weekend. The orienteering weekend was organized within the SALAR International Reslog project aiming to support local governments in Lebanon to become more resilient in times of migration related challenges.

  • Project PROSTO Final Conference "Service Accessibility in Ukraine: Key Developments and Challenges"

    On March 21, more than 100 heads of Administrative Service Centers (ASCs), representatives of ministries, local self-government associations, and the expert community met in Kyiv at the final conference of the PROSTO project, financed by Sida and implemented by SALAR International in 2021-2024. The aim was to discuss the key developments and challenges in Service Accessibility.

  • SALAR International Visits Ukraine to Collaborate on Municipal Recovery

    SALAR International team visited Zaporizhzhia and Chernihiv regions and held several meetings in Kyiv in March to discuss current needs for development and recovery.

  • Studyvisit From Türkiye Focusing on Integration

    On March 4-8, a representative of the Ҫukurova Regional Union of municipalities and representatives of 6 Turkish municipalities participated in a study visit with the aim of being introduced to Swedish experiences of working with integration of refugees.

  • Vehicles Enabling Service Provision to Citizens in Remote Areas

    During 2023-2024, the SALAR International PROSTO project delivered 10 vehicles with equipment to war-affected hromadas in different regions of Ukraine. Mykhailo-Lukashivska hromada of Zaporizhzhya oblast is the latest to receive a vehicle and equipment to provide services to residents in the frame of 7th round crisis support.

  • Municipalities in North Macedonia Adopt Local Action Plans for Waste Management – a Step Towards Integrated Waste Management System

    14 partner municipalities of the Pelagonija and Southwest regions of Republic of North Macedonia have successfully developed and endorsed their Waste Management Local Action Plans (LAPs). These plans, supported through SALAR International with financial support from Sida, signify a collective commitment to improving waste management practices in North Macedonia.

  • Roadmap to Recovery for Earthquake-Affected Municipalities in Türkiye

    As a response to the February 6th Earthquakes in Türkiye 2023, SALAR International is launching Roadmap to recovery, aiming to help municipalities do evidence based, inclusive and participatory assessment and prioritization of needs regarding recovery.

  • Municipal Forum to Raise Local Governments Voices in the Armenian Decentralisation Reform

    On February 7, 2024, representatives from 35 Armenian municipalities, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports gathered in Yerevan for the first Municipal Forum in Armenia, organised and facilitated within the framework of the SALAR International DeaLoG project.

  • Youth at Centre Stage in the Marmara Urban Forum, Istanbul

    In early October 2023, the Marmara Municipalities Union (MMU), organised the international conference ‘Marmara Urban Forum’ – MARUF. This brought together hundreds of speakers and panelists from 45 countries, engaging in over 150 sessions on a wide range of areas related to urban development and sustainability.

  • Delegation From the Republic of North Macedonia Visit Sweden

    On October 23-27 SALAR International had the honor to host a delegation from the Republic of North Macedonia visiting Sweden.

  • Gender Equality Conference in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    On October 12, the conference "Local approaches in prevention and response to domestic violence against women in Bosnia and Herzegovina" took place in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

  • Gender Equality Conference in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Leaders from across the world will in 2024 be offered a unique opportunity to join a leadership programme for societal transformation. Cohort 2 is now open for applications.

  • Ryan Knox Visits Colombia and the FOINCIDE Project

    Ryan Knox, Managing Director at SALAR International, visited Colombia to follow up on the work of the FOINCIDE Project and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with an important Colombian partner for the peace-accord implementation, the Agency for the Renovation of Territory (ART)

  • Local Governance Support Project AGIR Officially Launched in DRC

    On September 19-21 participants from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sweden gathered in Lubumbashi, the provincial capital of Haut Katanga for the official launch of the Sida-financed project, Support to inclusive and accountable governance in the DRC (AGIR).

  • RESLOG: Lebanese Representatives Visit Sweden to Study Citizen Dialogue, Crisis Preparedness and Business Development

    In September 2023, SALAR International´s local RESLOG team in Lebanon and two representatives from project partners participated in a study visit to SALAR and its member municipalities. The themes for the study visit was citizen dialogue, crisis preparedness and business development with a focus on the tourism industry.

  • RESLOG: National Conference, Community First Responders for Forest Fires & Crisis Response in Lebanon

    On August 17–18, the National Conference Community First Responders for Forest Fires & Crisis Response took place at the Training Center of the Lebanese Red Cross in Jounieh, Lebanon. The conference hosted by SALAR International united visionary partners to elevate community First Responders in the presence of H.E. Dr. Nasser Yassine, the Minister of Environment in Lebanon.

  • PROSTO: Vehicles and Equipment Transferred to Five Hromadas in Ukraine

    On June 13, the Swedish-Ukrainian Project PROSTO "Support to Services Accessability in Ukraine" transferred vehicles and equipment to five liberated and war-affected hromadas to provide services to residents through a "mobile Administrative Service Centres" model.

  • Swedish and Ukrainian Municipalities Meet to Establish New Partnerships

    On June 19-20 the Swedish-Ukrainian Municipal Partnership Forum took place north of Stockholm. 11 Ukrainian municipalities met with 11 Swedish municipalities to explore future cooperation in the format of bilateral partnerships.

  • PROSTO: Conference ‘on the Road to Recovery: Support for Liberated Hromadas’ in Kyiv

    On June 15 more than hundred heads and deputy heads of liberated and affected municipalities of Ukraine gathered in Kyiv for a Conference arranged by SALAR International.

  • Ukrainian and Swedish municipalities in meeting about partnership

    On June 19-20, representatives from Ukrainian and Swedish municipalities meet in Stockholm to discuss future partnerships.

  • Launch conference ‘Sustainable Municipal Waste Management Services in North Macedonia’

    On the 5th of June, the launch conference for the implementation phase for the four year project ‘Sustainable Municipal Waste Management Services in North Macedonia’ was held in Skopje.

  • Project PROSTO: 55 Ukrainian municipalities and associations receive vital equipment

    55 Ukrainian municipalities and their associations will receive equipment from SALAR International's project PROSTO. The equipment will help restore service delivery and enhance Administrative Service Centers (ASCs) for citizens' easier access to administrative services.

  • Turkish Representatives visit Sweden to study refugee reception and social cohesion

    Two representatives from SALAR's sister organizations in Türkiye visited Sweden from May 8-12 to study SALAR's and its member municipalities' work on refugee reception and social cohesion.

  • "Never-Ending Drama: Turkey at 100" - a book by journalist Bitte Hammargren and photographer Stefan Bladh

    The refugee crisis is a complex and ongoing issue that has affected millions of people worldwide. In an effort to shed light on this pressing matter in Türkiye, journalist Bitte Hammargren and photographer Stefan Bladh have collaborated on a book titled "Never-Ending Drama: Turkey at 100".

  • SALAR International visits earthquake-affected areas in Southeast Türkiye to plan for recovery

    SALAR International visited Southeast Türkiye which is heavily affected by two massive earthquakes in February 2023, to offer condolences, show solidarity, and plan for future recovery support to municipalities directly impacted by the earthquake as well as by internal displacement.

  • Colombian civil servants learning Citizen Dialogue and Participation methods

    On 21-21 February SALAR International conducted a three-day training workshop on citizen dialogue and participation in Montería, Colombia. The target audience of the workshop consisted of 40 civil servants working in seven post-conflict municipalities affected by the armed conflict in Colombia.

  • SALAR International intensifies its support to Ukraine

    A year ago, on 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. SALAR International has, since the invasion, intensified support to hundreds of municipalities and their associations in Ukraine.

  • Urban development project in Tunisia becomes reality

    Many cities in Tunisia struggle with lack of green areas and common public spaces. SALAR International’s SymbioCity project in the municipality of El Mourouj, Tunisia, has resulted in a parc development plan, which is now being realized.

  • Apply to the Leadership programme for societal transformation

    Twenty leaders from across the world will in 2023 be offered a unique opportunity to join a leadership programme for societal transformation.

  • Solidarity with the Turkish and Syrian people

    SALAR International would like to express sympathy and solidarity with the Turkish and Syrian people, our partners (the Turkish Municipal Union UMT, the Regional Municipal Unions of Marmara (MMU) and Çukurova (CMU)) and especially to those who were affected by the deadly earthquake that affected Türkiye and Syria.

  • SALAR International visits regions of Ukraine to deliver IT equipment and discuss recovery with partner municipalities

    During 26 January – 3 February 2023, a team from SALAR International visited Ukraine to monitor the delivery of essential equipment to municipalities impacted by the ongoing conflict, and to consider how to deepen support to partner municipalities, to ensure they can engage in the recovery and reconstruction efforts in the country, going forward.

  • Increased resilience in local governance creates hope in Lebanon

    SALAR International works globally to promote and strengthen local and regional self-governance and resilience. The Reslog Project is a part of Sweden’s response to the Syria Crisis and aims to strengthen the capacity of local government actors by increasing resilience in accordance with the principles of peacefulness, co-habitation and inclusiveness in Türkiye and Lebanon.

  • Call for tender for delivery and installation of IT equipment in Ukraine

    SALAR International invites interested tenderers to submit a tender proposal for delivery and installation of IT equipment and software for hromadas and their ASCs (Administration Services Centres) to ensure stable service provision at local level.

  • Mapping multiple factors shaping the future of governance in Iraq

    In October 2021 parliamentary elections were organized in Iraq, but still the most urgent and structural problems remain unresolved. In the past year, SALAR International has issued two reports elaborating on the most pertinent underlying reasons for the current situation.

  • SALAR International support to decentralisation dialogue, Liberia

    On Friday 10 November SALAR International hosted a study visit from Liberia and the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA).

  • Syrians in Turkey – Cohabitation under increasing stress

    What is it like to live as a refugee in Türkiye today under the current conditions? What do Turkish neighbors think and how do municipal politicians handle the situation?

More about us

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.

Contact SALAR International

Address and other contact information

+46 (0)8 452 70 00

info@salarinternational.se

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