Newsletter – n°26 – February 2014

News from partners

Twenty-five new projects within the Municipal Partnership programme are to receive support for international cooperation at local level. The projects form part of Swedish overseas aid, funded by Sida and managed by the Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy (ICLD).

The approved projects cover themes such as refuse collection, town planning and social issues. Most of the projects are with Tanzania, Indonesia and Ukraine, followed by China, Vietnam and South Africa.

"It is extremely important for international development cooperation to take place on many levels and involving a variety of sources in Sweden. Partnerships forge relationships, which often become long-term and lasting and yield mutual benefit," says Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Director General of Sida.

The ultimate underlying aim of all projects is to aid in developing local democracy in order to reduce poverty.

"Having an international outlook makes good sense for municipalities, county councils and regions. Local communities are playing an increasingly important role in sustainable development," says Maria Åberg, Secretary General of ICLD.

You can read more about the various projects here – www.icld.se

The Municipal Partnership programme is aimed at Swedish municipalities, county councils and regions who want to develop and share their knowledge and experience to support local democracy in Sida's partnership countries. Currently over 70 Swedish municipalities participate in more than 120 cooperation projects.

For more information about Sida's municipal cooperation, contact Sida's media service at press@sida.se; for questions regarding partnership, contact ICLD at info@icld.se.