From May 5 to 7, Philipp 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.
The aim of the visit was to present Sweden’s experience in local self-government, with a particular focus on cross-border cooperation and inter-community associations, and to share relevant insights with both local and central government stakeholders.
Mr. Sandberg started his programme in Armenia with a visit to the Swedish Embassy
where he, accompanied by the colleagues from SALAR International Shane Quinn and Halyna Lind, was received by Mr. Patrick Svensson, the Ambassador of Sweden to Armenia.
Two substantive discussions on local self-government were held at the DeaLoG project office. Mr Sandberg shared insights from Sweden’s experience, sparking an active and engaging dialogue. These discussions brought together experts in the field, along with representatives from the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. Key topics on the agenda included the legislative framework for local self-government, cooperation between the state and communities, and inter-community associations.
Mr. Sandberg also had the opportunity to engage directly with local authorities during visits to the communities of Vagharshapat and Khoy, where he held direct exchanges with local representatives and discussed prospects for community cross-border cooperation.
The topic of intermunicipal cooperation was also a key focus of Mr. Sandberg’s presentation at the 15th meeting of the Community Consultation Initiative, organised by the Council of Europe. His contribution was particularly timely, as two draft chapters of the Law on Local Self-Government addressing the same topic were presented during the event.
Such visits play an important role in facilitating the exchange of experience and the direct transfer of knowledge, while also strengthening bilateral cooperation between Armenia and Sweden—particularly in the fields of local self-government and democratic development.