The goals of supporting the Swedish civil society organisations are: that they in turn can strengthen the capacity of civil society actors in developing countries, that the civil society works with a rights-based approach in their roles as voice carriers and organisers of services, and a strengthened democratisation and increased respect for human rights of poor and discriminated people.
The cooperation between Sida and its framework organisations is long-term. Sida has currently entered into agreements with 15 frame organisations. They receive funding for their activities and carry out development work under their own initiatives and responsibility, in accordance with the guidelines set by Sida. The total framework budget for 2012 amounts to approximately 1.5 billion SEK.
A framework organisation forwards in some cases Sida's contribution to a Swedish organisation, usually a member organisation. They, in turn, sign contracts and carry out development work with local partners in developing countries. In other cases a framework organisation forwards Sida’s contribution directly to local partners in developing countries. About 500 Swedish NGOs and other groups are involved in development cooperation programmes in more than 100 countries together with more than 2,000 organisations and associations (2010). Organisations in cooperation countries can apply for Sida-funded assistance directly through the Swedish framework organisations.
Since the funding is a public contribution to the organisations' own activities, the framework organisations should finance part of the costs from their own resources. Their own contribution should be seen as an expression of the organisation's priorities and ability to mobilise a commitment to its development cooperation. The minimum level of own contribution is set by the government and is currently at 10 per cent.
Organisations that are not framework organisations can also take advantage of the support through special initiatives decided by the Swedish government. As part of the government's special child and youth initiative in 2011, the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, Oxfam, Ibis, International HIV/AIDS Alliance and the Norwegian Refugee Council received financial support.
The funding can also be used to support the international process to strengthen the civil society and increase aid effectiveness by providing limited funding to international CSO actors. Examples of players receiving such support are Civil Society Voices for Better Aid, Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness and International Center for Not-for-Profit Law.
See a list of Sida’s frame organisations and how to seek assistance from them.
Learn more about different Sida funded projects from the Sida project database. The database is primarily in English, however some data is in Swedish. The database is currently being revised and an improved version will be launched soon.
