Institutional cooperation between CAM and SALAR/SKL International

Institutional co-operation project between SALAR/SKL International and the China Association of Mayors (CAM) enhanced the capacity of CAM and reinforced its role as a representative of local governments in China.

Relations between SKL International and China Association of Mayors (CAM) were initiated already in the summer of 2005, where representatives from the two organizations carried out joint studies to define common co-operation areas. The Sida-financed formal co-operation project between CAM and the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR)/SKL International was implemented from January 2008 to December 2009. The project was based on three main components; a) Promotion of Citizen Service Centres (CSC), b) Holistic City Planning (HCP) and c) CAM Internship at SALAR (Internship).

• Citizen Service Centers (CSC)

The CSC component addressed the need for better access to services and information to people who had been left out because of location, finance issues, gender, language or other barriers. The aim was to increase service provision for citizens in smaller cities and rural areas.

The implementation consisted of building centers for better service access to citizens. The concept has been endorsed at central government level in China and A guidebook for building citizen service centres was published and distributed to decision makers in China’s 700 largest cities and city districts. Through the implementation of the component, CAM has succeeded in putting local service provision on the national and local political agenda in China. 

• Holistic City Planning (HCP)

The HCP component was developed as a response to the problem of many Chinese cities where the pressure to build fast and adapt the infrastructure to new circumstances is striking. This tends to lead to compromises, not least in terms of sustainability.

The HCP component focused on the concept of cities working with a horizontal perspective of urban development to make sure that a variety of aspects and actors are taken into consideration in the process. It mainly revolved around the  HCP study visit to Sweden by Chinese Mayors and urban experts, who were introduced to examples of holistic city planning in Swedish municipalities.

The concept of HCP was described and endorsed in the HCP study tour report, published in a condensed form in CAM’s monthly journal, reaching all CAN’s member, i.e. 6 000 mayors an vice mayors. The report stressed the need strengthen public participation in decision-making processes. It also emphasized the need to overlook investments and enhance the general knowledge of citizens regarding the concept of sustainable environment.

• CAM Internship at SALAR (Internship)

The Internship consisted of one CAM employee spending eight weeks as an intern at SALAR, including visits to the members and other related actors. The main purpose of the CAM Internship was for the participants to get a broad overview of the range of services that a local government association could provide as well as its function as a service provider and a representative organ on behalf of its members.

The Internship at SALAR provided CAM with knowledge and skills that could potentially widen the organization’s perspective, develop new service areas and improve external and internal communication.

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Monitoring and follow-ups of the project have been conducted by high-level representatives from both SALAR and CAM.