In total, Sida allocates 1.1 billion SEK to the work that its “framework organizations” implements in developing countries and 39 million SEK to the efforts directed towards reform cooperation in Eastern Europe. Through an allocation of 65 million SEK, the organizations in Swedish civil society can engage in efforts to disseminate information about development and aid. This constitutes an increase of this allocation, which reached 54 million 2010. Approximately 300 million SEK will be added for new ventures, which also constitute an increase compared to last year.
“Swedish popular movements and civil society organizations are extremely important players in Sweden's development work. These actors often have employees in the cooperating countries and can thus work in close dialogue with local organizations, based on local needs. Such partnerships support freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and right to organize, for example. The goal is to create conditions for poor people to influence their own lives," say Lena Ingelstam, new head of Sida's Department for Global Cooperation.
This year's assessment process has been slightly changed and has a stronger linkage to the government's strategies for cooperation and Sida´s new instructions. A small number of framework organizations have not totally matched the new criteria and have received less funding than they requested or shorter contract periods. Other framework organizations get increased funding.
“Most organizations have received more funding for information related projects this year, in comparison to 2010. Several new actors receives funding for information efforts this year, including the Civil Rights Defenders and the Gröna Bilister (Green Carowners)," say Lena Ingelstam.
Part of the allocation for civil society this year is reserved for projects with a special focus on children and young people, in line with the government guidelines. Decisions on how these funds will be allocated will be taken during the year.
Sida´s so called ”framework organizations” are stakeholders in civil society which carry out development cooperation through multi-annual agreement on allocations. Funding to the framework organizations for 2011 (excluding information and reform cooperation):
- Africa Groups of Sweden - 36 million SEK
- Diakonia - 116 million SEK
- Forum Syd - 175 million
- LO-TCO Biståndsnämnd - 88 million
- Olof Palme International Center - 43.5 million
- Plan Sweden - 45.5 million
- PMU Interlife - 80.2 million
- Save the Children Sweden - 121 million
- RFSU - 20 million • SHIA - 30.3 million
- The Swedish Church - 68.5 million
- Swedish Mission Council - 105 million
- Nature Conservation - 40 million
- Swedish Cooperative Center - 142 million
- World Wildlife Fund - 22 million
Link to the total numbers: http://www.sida.se/Global/Partners/The%20Civil%20Society/Beviljade%20medel%202011.pdf
