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.
The DRC team discussed citizen dialogue with authorities and access to basic services for the population with the team from the Civic Center of Alby in Botkyrka.
For a week, the delegation visited various Swedish institutions and engaged in dialogue with local authorities, private sector actors, and civil society.
"It was a unique experience and a trip we will remember for a lifetime due to the rich exchanges on decentralisation, democracy, and local development models," said Christian Karis, head of the Decentralisation Division of the Haut-Katanga province in DR Congo.
The group discussed and analysed, among other things, how citizen participation and transparency are pillars of the Swedish model. To this end, they put the Swedish “public right principle” (Offentlighetsprincipen) to practice by requesting the protocol of the last municipal council meeting from Botkyrka municipality.
“We have received the protocol, and this transparency is vital to building trust between authorities and citizens. In Sweden, the mayor is a citizen like any other,” says Austine Kapanga, “a lesson to apply in Congo.”
The delegation also discussed how to adapt certain citizen dialogue practices to the DR Congo context with experts from SALAR International.
The participants agreed that these types of exchanges strengthen international cooperation and open new perspectives for truly inclusive local governance.
The trip strengthened ties between the partners in the two countries and, above all, inspired the Congolese delegation to promote creative initiatives for more inclusive and participatory local development in the six municipalities where the AGIR project is being implemented. The AGIR team will continue to promote these lessons learned:
"...to move toward more effective decentralisation that is closer to citizens,” concludes Jeff Mbiya, SALAR International's national coordinator in DR Congo.
DRC team discussing with SALAR Internationals Managing Director Ryan Knox