Development Sweden #39. Budget 2025: Few surprises for ODA. Almost 2 billion in capital injections to the DFi Swedfund – and the government chooses to definitively scrap the previous policy document Policy for Global Development (PGU). Read more at developmentsweden.substack.com

Development Sweden #39. SIWI’s new management puts the lid on. Neither the new board nor the newly hired CEO, Caroline Andersson, will answer questions about what is happening at the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). Read more at developmentsweden.substack.com

Development Sweden #40. Here is the government’s strategy for civil society. Some of the main points: Simplified Reporting for Support under 1 Million SEK, 15 per cent Self-Financing, Ban on Further transfer of funds. Read more at developmentsweden.substack.com

What does the aid sector think about the new strategy? “Finally, it's here! Now we must make the best of the situation.” Read the comments received from politicians and organisations within the aid sector at developmentsweden.substack.com

The government insists that further mediation should be kept to a minimum in the strategy for civil society. Does this mean the end for umbrella organisations like SMR, ForumCiv, and Union to Union? Read more at developmentsweden.substack.com

At the same time as the strategy was presented, the government announced that it would allow Sida to extend the current agreements. Read more at developmentsweden.substack.com

Development Sweden #41. In Sida’s new organisation, the evaluation unit has been transformed into a team, placed lower in the hierarchy. Now, the OECD-DAC evaluator network is concerned that the independence of evaluators is under threat. Read more at developmentsweden.substack.com

SEK 5.7 billion. That’s how much Sweden contributed to health aid in 2023. This amount represents one-tenth of the total aid and includes support in global health and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Read more at developmentsweden.substack.com

Evaluations: Here is what Sida says. Christina Hartler is the acting department head for Results at Sida. Read her respons to the questions posed to Sida’s leadership regarding the concerns surrounding the changes to Sida’s evaluation function. developmentsweden.substack.com

The call for expressions of interest in humanitarian partnerships with Sida is now open. Interested organisations have until November 10 to respond. They must not act in ways that ”undermine Swedish interests.” Read more at developmentsweden.substack.com

Sida’s Leadership: Rules More Important Than Quality. The rapid organisational changes have led to stress and sick leaves. The unions and safety representatives are raising the alarm. Read more at developmentsweden.substack.com

Development Sweden #42. The Swedish Government allocates three billion for deportation and return of migrants. The money will be used, among other things, to finance return centers. Read more at developmentsweden.substack.com

Civil society: Sida has invited the so-called SPO organizations to apply for support during the transition period until 30 September 2025. Sida also announces that the amounts will generally be lower in the coming strategy. Read more at developmentsweden.substack.com

Development Sweden #43. The Swedish government has decided to halt all direct cooperation with Georgian authorities. Read more at developmentsweden.substack.com

Minister for International Development Cooperation Benjamin Dousa states that the government will stop the Swedish NGO Olof Palme International Center’s ability to receive support through Sida’s call for civil society organisations. Read more at developmentsweden.substack.com

Opinion: How Sida’s Evaluation System Can Be Improved. Sida is now changing its evaluation unit. This should mean that Sida takes a holistic approach, which has been lacking for many years, writes Jocke Nyberg, independent evaluator. Read more at developmentsweden.substack.com

Development Sweden #44. Civil Society: Here are the organizations signing with Sida. Late on October 31 the long-awaited answer to which organizations would be selected to enter into partnership with Sida finally came. Read the full list and comments on developmentsweden.substack.com

A Process Surrounded by Confusion. For ten months, Sida has been fumbling with support for civil society. The result is new uncertainties and a lack of transparency. What is really happening at the aid agency? wonders David Isaksson. Read more at developmentsweden.substack.com

Development Sweden #45. Sida Discriminated Against Three Children’s Organizations. Despite highest ratings in Sida’s selection, they can only apply for much less than other organisations with lower rankings. Read about the reasons and Sidas answer in developmentsweden.substack.com

The Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) is halting the dispatch of election observers to Ecuador, where elections will occur on February 9, 2025. The reason: The government has delayed its decision regarding funding for the mission. Read more at developmentsweden.substack.com