Paradiplomatic Information Infrastructure: Towards Strengthening Local–Global Collaborative Networks for Local Governments in Indonesia

Abstract

The rise of paradiplomacy has prompted local governments across countries to become increasingly active in establishing international relations to support regional development. However, the success of local-level international cooperation depends not only on global networks but also on local governments' ability to identify, evaluate, and select partners that align with regional development needs. Existing paradiplomacy literature has largely focused on the motivations, forms, and outcomes of local government international cooperation, while the processes of partner searching and matching remain relatively overlooked. This article aims to develop the concept of Paradiplomatic Information Infrastructure (PII) as a foundation for strengthening local-global collaborative networks for local governments. The study employs a conceptual design grounded in a literature review and document analysis of paradiplomacy, transnational city networks, inter-city learning, and digital governance. The synthesis reveals that international networks serve as spaces for learning and knowledge exchange. At the same time, digital governance offers the potential to expand local governments' access to information about the competencies, track records, and opportunities for cooperation of global actors. The article argues that PII can enhance local governments' partner-matching capacity and reduce reliance on personal relationships and informal mechanisms, thereby fostering more effective, inclusive, and sustainable international cooperation.