Sida's work in Russia
On 24 February, Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine. Sida has adapted its work and continues to support democracy and human rights. No funds go to state actors; only independent actors who clearly oppose the war in Ukraine receive support. Russia has long developed in an authoritarian direction and human rights violations reached a new low with the outbreak of war. The country suffers from major environmental problems.
Sida's cooperation in Russia 2024
Cooperation in Russia
Sida only supports civil society and media organisations that take a stand against the war. Many of them cannot continue to operate in the country because of this. The aim is to increase the chances of democratic change in Russia in the long term.
Russia started to move in an authoritarian direction at the turn of the millennium. In 2014, Russia illegally annexed Ukraine’s Crimea and on 24 February 2022, it launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine. No presidential election in Russia has been free and democratic since the 2000 elections, according to international observers.
Since the outbreak of the war, freedom of expression and assembly has been severely curtailed. Criticism of the armed forces can lead to long prison sentences. Even speech in private can be penalised. Corruption has long been widespread at all levels, as has discrimination against minority groups. Information has emerged that Russian authorities actively recruit and in many cases force people who have migrated or belong to ethnic minorities to fight in the war.
Society is characterised by traditional gender stereotypes. Thousands of women lose their lives every year due to intimate partner violence and many perpetrators go unpunished. Experience shows that war generally has a negative impact on gender equality.
Women become more vulnerable as they have to bear the entire burden of supporting their families, and gender-based violence increases when traumatised men return from the front. The widespread abuse of civilians by Russian forces in Ukraine has led to a sharp increase in gender-based violence in Russia.
LGBTI people have long been discriminated against and ‘propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations’ is prohibited by law. The law and the negative image of homosexuals spread by both state-controlled media and politicians have created a difficult situation for LGBTI people. The entire LGBTI movement is classified as extremist and was banned completely at the end of 2023.
Here are examples of what Sweden is supporting through Sida to improve respect for human rights and democracy:
Sida supports organisations working for democracy and human rights in Russia. We support democracy fighters and human rights defenders. Those who fight for equality and against discrimination are oppressed in the same way as other human rights defenders. Many take great risks in order to continue their work. Opportunities to achieve concrete results are increasingly limited. Civil society continues to spread knowledge about human rights, to help the vulnerable and to document human rights violations.
Much of the remaining independent Russian media were forced out of the country 2021 and 2022. They continue to operate from other countries and reach out to the Russian population with information on the situation in both Russia and Ukraine.
The Russian state’s disinformation about Ukraine and the West increases the Russian population’s acceptance of the war. Countering disinformation that increases antagonism is important for achieving peace in the long term. That is why support for independent Russian media is important.
Protecting and managing natural resources has long been a low priority in Russia. Millions of people live in areas heavily affected by environmentally harmful industrial emissions. Since the outbreak of war, environmental standards have been lowered in favour of short-term economic development.
Sida has been involved in environmental issues in Russia for many years, but most of its efforts were terminated after Russia’s large-scale attack on Ukraine.
The programmes and projects we have supported in the past have led, among other things, to significant reductions in nutrient emissions to the Baltic Sea.
Russia’s carbon dioxide emissions have fallen sharply since 1990 and remain the fourth largest in the world, after China, the United States and India. Russia has large reserves of oil and gas. This reduces the incentive to switch to renewable energy sources. Waterways and air are degraded by emissions from industries, agriculture and communities. 97 per cent of the Baltic Sea is eutrophic.
Here are some examples of what Sweden has supported through Sida in the climate and environment area:
Sida supports actors working at the intersection of human rights and the environment. We also support freedom of expression. Independent media play a key role in exposing environmental crimes, not least those working with investigative journalism.
Sida has for many years cooperated on environmental activities in Russia, including loans to rehabilitate municipal infrastructure in water and wastewater treatment.
All environmental activities in municipal infrastructure were put on hold after the outbreak of war in February 2022.
Sida has contributed to the Helcom (Helsinki Commission) network, which includes all the countries around the Baltic Sea. The aim of the support was to protect biodiversity and create a marine ecological balance in the Baltic Sea. Sida has previously contributed to the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Kaliningrad and the renovation of a wastewater treatment plant near St Petersburg. Sida has also contributed to improving wastewater treatment through the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership (NDEP) initiative.
Sida has supported several projects in co-operation with the Nordic Environment Bank Nefco to reduce energy use and carbon emissions. The funds in Russia were cancelled at the beginning of March 2022 and the remaining funds will be repaid to Sida.
The focus of the work is guided by the Government’s Strategy for Sweden’s support for democracy, human rights and the environment in Russia.
Updated: September 20, 2024