The Match Making Conference organized by ICLD, a part of Swedish International Development Agency, was attended by delegates from various municipalities of Sweden along with the officials and stakeholders of the Kochi Municipal Corporation. The Municipal Corporation Programme, consequent to this symposium, was initiated as the Municipalities of Sweden signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kochi Municipal Corporation.

The Municipal Partnership Program is a form of cooperation financed by Swedish International Development Agency designed to contribute to municipal and regional operations in high priority partnership countries in the form of result oriented projects.

One such successful Municipal cooperation began with the Municipality of Kumla. The city of Cochin had signed a memorandum of understanding with this city. Traditionally known as the shoe maker town with a history  back to the first half of the 19th century, it is the seat of the larger Kumla Municipality.

As a forerunner to this partnership a web conference was convened, which was attended by the Hon’ble Mayor of Kumla Municipality along with Chief of Child Care and Education; Water Management and Waste Management, along with city’s International co-coordinator. The city of Cochin was represented by the Worshipful Mayor, Chief Engineer and Director of Center for Heritage, Environment and Development (c-hed). Discussions were held to identify the possible areas of cooperation both the cities could enter into.

The c-hed has been coordinating this program and the partnership is progressing.