Accountable and Inclusive Local Governance & Development
Strengthening local institutions for inclusive development. Apply before 31 March.
5,5 days of hands-on learning, peer exchange, and site visits with municipal practitioners.
Information Meeting
Join our information meeting to learn more about the programme.
When: 17 March, 14:30 CET
Sign up to attend the information meeting
Introduction
The global present is characterized by complex challenges such as conflicts and climate change, democratic decline, and decreasing trust in public institutions. To counter this development, governments at all levels must steadfastly and effectively work together with other stakeholders to address the various social, economic and environmental challenges at hand and include citizens in the process of doing so.
Local governments are the ones closest to communities and need to make use of public resources in the most efficient and effective way, respond to the real needs of citizens, and actively and continuously work to establish public trust.
In June 2026, SALAR International is organizing a custom-made training course in Stockholm, Sweden, with a focus on accountable and inclusive local governance and development. SALAR International is the international arm of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, one of the oldest local government associations in the world.
The course builds on Sweden’s long standing traditions of democratic local governance and local development, introducing tested methods and models that could inspire participants and help find solutions to specific challenges in their home country.
SALAR International has for the past three decades worked internationally, thus far in 58 countries, to promote decentralisation, local governance, and sustainable development, using and adapting proven practices and innovative solutions from Swedish local governments.
Course pillars
The course will cover the following core thematic areas with detail agenda to be presented closer to the course implementation:
- Political, administrative, and fiscal decentralisation
- Accountability and transparency in local governance
- Data and evidence-driven development
- Citizen engagement and inclusive governance
- Local cross-sector collaboration for addressing complex development or social issues
Expected learning outcomes
Through the participation in the training course participants will:
- Understand key aspects of decentralisation and local self-governance,
- Demonstrate strengthened knowledge, skills and commitment to inclusive and accountable governance and development,
- Be able to apply practical methods and tools to enhance accountability, inclusion and evidence-based planning and decision making,
- Have identified concrete, actionable step to develop in a selected area related to the course subjects.
Target group
The training course is open for all with an interest in local governance and aims to attract a mix of participants. However, as it is not a theory but a practice- and peer-based course it is believed to be the most useful for professionals or elected officials working in local or regional governments responsible for areas such as data-driven planning and policy, local decision-making, citizen engagement and communication, or sustainability issues.
Practical Information
Format:
The course is divided into three parts:
- Online preparatory session (4 hours)
- In-Person training course in Stockholm (5,5 days)
- Online follow-up session (5 hours) three months after the main training course.
Seats are limited and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Due to high interest, early application is recommended.
Certificate:
Participants receive an official certificate from SALAR International.
Demand:
To maintain a high-quality learning environment, seats are limited and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Due to high interest, early application is recommended.
Programme Fee & Payment Conditions:
Included: Training sessions, workshops, study visits, training materials, lunches, coffee breaks, transportation for study visits and certification.
Not included: Travel to/from Stockholm, accommodation, visa costs, dinners, daily per diem.
The programme fee is presented in EUR for reference. The official invoice will be issued in SEK (Swedish krona), using the exchange rate applicable at the time of invoicing.
Your seat in the programme is confirmed once the full fee has been received. After completing the registration form, you will receive payment instructions, and we kindly ask that payment is made within 10 working days to secure your spot.
Should your plans change, our cancellation policy provides clear guidance.
Cancellation policy. pdf, 149 kB.
Visa Support:
Participants requiring a visa will receive an acceptance letter and supporting documentation after the programme fee has been paid. Processing times vary, so early application is recommended. SALAR International cannot influence embassy decision-making but will provide all required documents.
Links
Download the Programme Overview pdf, 7 MB.The detailed programme agenda will be refined after the selection process, informed by a needs assessment with accepted participants. This helps ensure the training is relevant to participants’ contexts and priorities, while remaining aligned with the programme’s objectives and overall structure.