Pemba, Zambia, set up a digitalization strategy with the help of an ICLD research team. Connecting researchers and practitioners can create a meaningful impact as it ensures that strategic decisions are based on the most up-to-date research. It also ensures that the practitioners are taking into account the most recent evidence when making policy or strategic decisions.
In 2019, ICLD granted a research project on anti-corruption in Ukraine. This was before the full-scale invasion and the turn of history in Europe. Yet, as the research is published in 2023, the conclusions emerge as relevant as ever, telling a story of how democratic principles can be prioritised and upheld in a climate of adversity - and how collective dialogue efforts reinforce resilience.
Access to information about the budget process is a prerequisite to guarantee citizens' influence and decisions that affect their lives. Researchers explored the level of equality, inclusion, transparency and accountability in budget processes at the local level, and helps local governments to clear improvements.
There are many ways toward democratic change and decentralisation - we want the best ones. We want local governments to work based on state-of-the-art knowledge and evidence, and local democracy researchers to build their conclusions on realities on the ground. But how? Research Director Ana Maria Vargas starts this article series by describing ICLD's model for connecting research and practice.
Internationellt Centrum för Lokal Demokrati, ICLD, arrangerar konferensen "Local Democracy Academy" den 10-14 juni vid Umeå Universitet. Konferensen samlar internationellt ledande forskare, och doktorander från över 30 länder runt om i hela världen. - Det är fantastiskt att vi får möjligheten att vara värdar för denna spännande konferens! säger Anders Lidström, professor vid Umeå universitet.