Policy Updates

Each week, Donor Tracker's team of country-based experts bring you the most important policy and funding news across issue areas in the form of Policy Updates.

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Sweden reinforces development cooperation ties with US

March 18, 2024 | Sweden, US, Education, Agriculture, Climate, International development, Global Health, Nutritious Food Systems | Share this update

On 13 March 2024, Sweden announced a new agreement between Sida and the USAID, which is set to advance sustainable development initiatives, prioritizing local initiatives and engaging the private sector closely.

The agreement was officially sealed in Washington DC on 4 March by Sida's Director-General Jakob Granit and USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman.

The agreement, slated to span the next four years, introduces new focus areas including digitalization, cybersecurity, the enhancement of global public goods like food security, climate action, and the improvement of transparency and oversight in development.

Press release - Press Release - Government of Sweden

Sweden pledges addition US$14 million in humanitarian assistance to Sudan

December 5, 2023 | Sweden, Nutrition, Education, Agriculture, Agricultural R&D, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, WASH & Sanitation, Global Health | Share this update

On December 5, 2023, Sweden announced an additional SEK149 million (US$14 million) to address the escalating needs of the civilian population in Sudan amid ongoing armed conflict, which erupted in April and has severely impacted living conditions.

The additional funding brought Sweden's humanitarian assistance to Sudan in 2023 to SEK355 million (US$34 million). The assistance package is channeled through Sida and detailed the following allocations:

  • OCHA and UNICEF: SEK89 million (US$9 million);
  • Mercy Corps: SEK25 million (US$2 million). Mercy Corps is a humanitarian organization focused on food security. The funds are allocated to enhance the production capabilities and self-sufficiency of small-scale farmers, particularly women, and is expected to benefit 10,000 farmers; and
  • UNHCR: SEK35 million (US$3 million) will support the OHCHR in its efforts to monitor and document human rights abuses in Sudan.
Press release - Government of Sweden

Sweden announces US$35 million in humanitarian assistance for Ukraine

June 26, 2023 | Sweden, Nutrition, Education, Agriculture, Gender Equality, Climate, Global Health | Share this update

On June 26, 2023, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden unveiled a comprehensive humanitarian and recovery support package for Ukraine.

Valued at SEK380 million (US$35 million), the package aimed to address the pressing needs of the country, with a particular emphasis supporting CSOs.

The destruction caused by the Kakhovka dam's collapse on June 6, 2023, exacerbated the already dire situation in Ukraine. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Johan Forssell underlined the necessity for aid providers to be prepared to assist civilians in distress. He foregrounded the funding's role in enabling partners to implement short- and long-term measures in the areas of greatest need.

Recognizing the valuable contributions of CSOs, the Swedish Government committed to providing SEK 25 million (US$2 million) to the Ukrainian Red Cross and supporting other organizations with SEK20 million (US$2 million) through Sida.

To address various urgent needs, Sweden also allocated funds to key entities involved in relief work:

  • SEK25 million (US$2 million) was allocated to the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide healthcare, medicines, water, sanitation, and protection in inaccessible regions;
  • SEK50 million (US$5 million) was allocated to the WFP for essential provisions such as food and water; and
  • SEK50 million (US$5 million) was allocated to the UNHCR for shelter, legal advice, and psychosocial support in areas where humanitarian needs are most critical.

Additionally, the Swedish Government extended assistance for demining, flood response, and managing air traffic control to:

  • The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, which received SEK50 million (US$5 million);
  • UNDP, which received SEK103 million (US$10 million); and
  • EUROCONTROL, which received SEK13 million (US$1 million).

Finally, the government also allocated SEK45 million (US$4 million) to the National Board of Health and Welfare for coordinating and fulfilling requests for medical supplies.

The additional support brought Sweden's total assistance to Ukraine to at SEK1.9 billion (U$S176 million) for humanitarian assistance, SEK750 million (US$70 million) for recovery and further development, and SEK316 million (US$29 million) for reform support since 2022.

Speech - Government of Sweden (in Swedish)Press release - Government of Sweden

World Bank approves Crisis Facility for Ukraine

May 19, 2023 | Sweden, Agriculture | Share this update

On May 19, 2023, the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved a new Crisis Facility for the International Development Association, intended to support Ukraine, Moldova, and other countries impacted by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The move was heavily influenced by Sweden, with the Swedish government contributing SEK600 million (US$57 million) to assist Ukraine and Moldova in December 2022.

Johan Forssell, Sweden's Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, who also holds the presidency of the Council of the EU, was a prominent figure in garnering support for those affected by the war in Ukraine, including the establiahment of the Crisis Facility.

The Facility was developed to address two primary objectives:

  • First, the Facility was intended to finance the early recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine and Moldova, investing in areas like health, energy, transport, agriculture, and a social protection network. Moldova, which is grappling with an energy crisis and a significant influx of Ukrainian refugees, will particularly benefit from the assistance; and
  • Second, the Facility was proposed to support crisis mitigation in LICs that have suffered from the repercussions of Russia's war in Ukraine, focusing mainly on bolstering food security.
Press release - Press Release - Government of Sweden (in Swedish)

Sweden Presents 2023 foreign, development policy priorities

February 15, 2023 | Sweden, Education, Agriculture, Gender Equality, Climate, Global Health | Share this update

Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström presented Sweden's Statement of Foreign Policy, which summarizes the Government’s foreign policy priorities, to Parliament on February 15, 2023.


Billström emphasized that Ukraine will remain a Swedish foreign and development policy priority. Since Russia’s large-scale invasion in February 2022, Sweden’s support to Ukraine has totaled more than SEK14 billion (USD1.4 billion). In 2023, Ukraine is expected to become the largest recipient of Swedish bilateral development assistance.


The statement highlighted the government’s aim to use ODA as a lever to strengthen countries’ democracy and participation in the international economy. The Government emphasized its ambition to make ODA more focused, relevant, effective, and transparent. Objectives will be set in terms of quality and results.


In addition to support for Ukraine, ODA will prioritize poverty reduction and health initiatives for the most vulnerable, humanitarian support, democracy and human rights, enhanced climate action, and initiatives for the rights and opportunities of women and girls. The statement also highlighted that support will be redirected from multilateral organizations to civil society.

Speech - Swedish Statement of Foreign Policy 2023

Sweden releases priorities for EU Presidency

December 17, 2022 | EUI, Sweden, Global Health, Agriculture | Share this update

On December 14, 2022, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson presented the priorities of the forthcoming Swedish Presidency of the EU to the Swedish parliament.

In the area of EU international development, the Swedish Presidency will increase support for Ukraine and address the global impact of Russia’s aggression. Priorities included increasing political pressure on Russia, Belarus, and other responsible parties, by imposing sanctions and demanding accountability.

Kristersson also announced plans to provide Ukraine with political, economic, military, humanitarian, and legal support, including in its reconstruction. Establishing an international coordination platform for reconstruction support was listed as a priority task, as well as EU efforts to mitigate the serious global repercussions of the war, such as food insecurity.

The Presidency will also contribute to developing and strengthening the EU’s role in global health based on the new 'EU Global Health Strategy' and the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Sweden also intends to strengthen EU efforts to combat development obstacles, such as corruption.

The European development policy agenda will continue to be developed and clearly linked to principles of effective development cooperation and sustainable financing for development, with a focus on mobilizing private capital for sustainable investments in developing countries. The Swedish Presidency will focus on efforts to advance synergies between trade and development cooperation.

Press release - Swedish EU Presidency Program

Sweden announces additional US$59 million in support to Ukraine

December 14, 2022 | Sweden, Climate, Agriculture, Gender Equality, Global Health, Education | Share this update

Sweden announced on December 12, 2022 that it will increase its support to Ukraine by SEK600 million (US$59 million).

The assistance will be channeled through a new mechanism administrated by the World Bank. The support aims to promote energy security as well as the provision of heating and healthcare to civilians. The donation will also support agricultural development and Ukraine's education system.

Press release - Swedish Foreign Ministry (in Swedish)

Donor countries pledge over US$150 million for 'Grain from Ukraine Initiative'

November 26, 2022 | Canada, France, Netherlands, Sweden, UK, US, Agriculture | Share this update

On November 26, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the 'Grain from Ukraine Initiative,' which seeks to facilitate the delivery of 125,000 tons of grain to nations facing food insecurity and famine, including Yemen and Sudan, among others.

Ukraine presented the program at the G20 meeting in November 2022. The initiative aims to send up to 60 shipments of grain to low-income countries in Africa and provide food for at least 5 million people by summer 2023. Zelensky officially launched the initiative on the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor, a famine inflicted on Ukrainians by Joseph Stalin’s Soviet Union.

The announcement was accompanied by pledges from donor countries, including:

  • Canada: CA$30 million (US$22 million) via the World Food Programme (WFP);
  • France: US$20 million;
  • The Netherlands: US$4 million via the WFP;
  • Sweden: SEK 100 million (US$10 million) via the WFP;
  • The US: US$20 million; and
  • The UK: US$6 million.

In total, the initiative raised more than US$150 million and received support from more than 20 countries.

Press release - Government of Sweden (in Swedish)News article - PoliticoTwitter - Mark Rutte

Norwegian delegation visits Kenya; highlights need for food security, climate cooperation

November 24, 2022 | Sweden, Norway, Agriculture, Climate | Share this update

During the week of November 24, 2022, a Norwegian delegation led by Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Crown Prince Håkon, and Innovation Norway visited Kenya, together with a Swedish delegation led by Crown Princess Victoria.

The trip aimed to understand how Norwegian and Swedish businesses can contribute to the fight against hunger, drought, and climate change in Kenya and the Horn of Africa.

A joint Norwegian-Swedish business delegation consisting of over 250 companies accompanied the Crown prince and Crown Princess. During the trip, Tvinnereim emphasized the urgency of accelerating the green shift in the eastern part of Africa while ensuring access to food, energy, and jobs at the same time.

In particular, the delegation focused on opportunities for cooperation with Kenya's government and businesses on renewable energy and sustainable agriculture technologies.

Press release - Minister of International Development (in Norwegian)

Swedish government plans US$875 million cut to ODA by 2025

November 8, 2022 | Sweden, Nutrition, Education, Agriculture, Gender Equality, Climate, Global Health | Share this update

On November 8, 2022, Sweden’s new right-wing government announced plans to cut ODA by SEK7.3 billion (US$673 million) in 2023, and by another SEK2.2 billion (US$202 million) in 2024.
The reduction comprises a 15% cut from the previous government's planned ODA spending. The decrease also marks the abandonment of the country’s long-standing 1% ODA/GNI target.

News article - News article – The Local

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US$ amounts are cited directly from sources; in the absence of an official conversion, they are calculated using the previous week's average of the US Federal Reserve's daily exchange rates.

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