Development assistance for a new era
Published
No country has been lifted out of poverty through international development assistance alone. Trade, investment in education, infrastructure, economic reforms and domestic resource mobilisation are also required. In December 2023, the Government presented its reform agenda, a new strategic direction for Swedish development assistance that points the way – Development assistance for a new era – freedom, empowerment and sustainable growth. The Government is reforming Swedish development assistance to make it more relevant, with a focus on long-term sustainability, transparency and effectiveness.
The reform agenda was developed in response to global challenges in a new era, not least marked by geopolitical tensions. It contributes to effective, long-term and transparent assistance that makes a real difference. It emphasises that development cooperation is one of the key foreign policy tools for pursuing and protecting Swedish interests and tackling the challenges that Sweden and the world are facing. The synergies between development cooperation, promotion and trade policy are part of the reforms to promote sustainable development and economic growth. Every krona paid in tax should be used in the most effective way possible to help those who need it the most.
Priority themes
The Government has identified seven priority themes to improve quality of life for the most vulnerable and to promote freedom, empowerment and sustainable growth:
- Combating poverty through job creation, trade and education;
- Contributing to improved health for the most vulnerable;
- Promoting freedom and fighting oppression;
- Expanded and more effective climate aid;
- Strengthening women’s and girls’ freedom and empowerment;
- Strengthening synergies between development assistance and migration policies;
- Enhanced humanitarian assistance to save lives and alleviate suffering.
Strategies and measures to reform development assistance
This strategy applies for the period 2025–2029 with a total budget of SEK 4.3 billion.
The strategy governs Swedish development cooperation and humanitarian assistance through multilateral organisations.
This partnership entails support of SEK 30 million in 2025 to help Save the Children with their work on protecting children in crisis and conflicts.
These new funds will support long-term economic development and poverty reduction in the poorest and most vulnerable developing countries in Asia and the Pacific region.
These new funds will contribute to investment within private sector development, innovation, climate, equality, women’s economic empowerment and migration.
The support will go to food security and poverty reduction in rural areas.
This makes Sweden one of the largest donors to this Fund.
The Fund aims to help particularly vulnerable countries manage climate-related loss and damage.
The Swedish Government has decided to adopt a new strategy for humanitarian aid for 2025—2029. The humanitarian core mandate of saving lives and alleviating suffering is a government priority. Cost-effectiveness, new transformative approaches and innovation are guiding principles for the strategy.
