Sida's work in Ukraine
Sida has been cooperating with Ukraine since 1998, supporting independent media, civil society, environmental work and social reforms. The long-term work has been reorganised and focuses, among other things, on rebuilding infrastructure destroyed in the war and on economic recovery. Sida provides humanitarian assistance to people affected by the war.
Why does Sida work in Ukraine?
Russia’s invasion
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has led to widespread material and environmental devastation, human suffering, an ongoing humanitarian situation and millions of people displaced. Attacks hitting infrastructure and civilian targets are leading to millions of people losing access to water, health, education and heating. The full-scale invasion will have huge and long-term consequences for the country’s development and population.
Increasing poverty
The war is leading to increased poverty. After 15 years of positive development, poverty increased sharply, rising from just over 5% in 2021 to around 29% in 2023. The longer-term consequences are both social and economic, hitting already vulnerable groups hard: internally displaced people, older people, LGBTI people, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, people in rural areas, youth and children. Women are more affected.
Widespread corruption
Corruption permeates society: the education system, the judicial system and law enforcement, and hinders development, private investment and moving closer to the EU. Ukraine is ranked 105th out of 180 countries in the Transparency International Corruption Index for 2024. Corruption has decreased over the last decade and the positive trend has continued even after Russia’s full-scale invasion. One of Sida’s consistent priorities is to create conditions for increased transparency and reduced risk of corruption and to help build on Ukraine’s progress in these areas.
Examples of what Sida contributes to
Rebuilding the energy sector
More than half of Ukraine’s electricity facilities have been damaged, destroyed or occupied during the war. Through a SEK 1.5 billion grant to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, Sida is supporting the emergency reconstruction of vital energy supplies, while contributing to Ukraine’s long-term transition to fossil-free energy.
Sida also contributes to a World Bank fund that, among other things, helps cover Ukraine’s urgent need for repairs in the energy sector, but also in the health and transport sectors. Several donors contribute to the fund, which also supports long-term reconstruction.
Support for mine clearance
In addition to the direct impact on people, mines and other explosive remnants are a major obstacle to Ukraine’s construction and agricultural production, which is important both for the economy in Ukraine and food security worldwide. A new grant is going to the Danish Refugee Council amounting to SEK 145 million which will be implemented until December 2026.
Sidas work in Ukraine
In Ukraine, Sida conducts development cooperation that contributes to the country’s long-term development. We also provide humanitarian support to provide protection, save lives and alleviate suffering. Humanitarian aid multiplied after Russia’s invasion on 24 February 2022 and support for development cooperation has increased significantly since then.
In 2023, a new strategy for Sweden’s reconstruction and reform cooperation with Ukraine 2023-2027 was adopted with the following priorities:
Reconstruction needs exist throughout society and are particularly acute in areas such as housing, critical infrastructure, energy, trade and employment. Sida’s mandate also includes providing support in transport and water supply, as well as basic services in health and social protection systems.
Here are some examples of programmes and projects supported by Sida:
Sida has for a long time supported Ukrainian municipalities in their efforts to give local residents better access to public services, including through the Polaris project run by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR).
After 24 February 2022, the project immediately adjusted its work. Municipalities that had been occupied and had their service offices destroyed and looted have been helped to resume operations to provide people with essential administrative services. They have been helped with services that are essential when they return to their homes after being displaced. This has included, for example, replacing lost identity documents, civil registration documents, business and property registration.
Staff working at the service centres have received training and psychological support, and IT equipment and furniture stolen by the squatters have been replaced. In addition, the project has contributed to improving municipalities’ reception of IDPs and ensuring their inclusion in state support and compensation schemes.
The project is a continuation of Sida’s long-standing support to Ukrainian municipalities to set up service centres. Through the large EU-funded project U-LEAD, more than 484 municipalities were supported in strengthening their citizen centres for improved public services. Polaris has taken over and continued to work with several municipalities so that Ukrainian citizens have better access to public services.
Polaris Programme – Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine
The Russian bombardment of energy supplies in civilian areas is terrorising the Ukrainian population. Without electricity, clean water cannot be pumped, there is no heat in the houses and lifts are at a standstill. Sida is supporting the urgent reconstruction of vital energy supplies, while contributing to Ukraine’s long-term transition to fossil-free energy. Among other things, Sida supports the installation of solar cells in hospitals so that they have power even if the electricity is cut off centrally. Energy support is also about improving efficiency and saving on electricity consumption.
Ukraine wants the construction of energy facilities to include protection against future bombings so that the same infrastructure does not have to be built twice. This could involve embankments, grids or cement bunkers to protect the facilities.
Sida is supporting the Energy Community Fund with SEK 1.5 billion. When Russia has bombed an electricity plant, Ukraine’s energy authority contacts Energy Community, which ensures that procurement of materials and contractors is carried out. The tenders are open internationally, but mainly domestic companies win because they are registered in the country.
Sida also contributes to a World Bank fund that, among other things, helps cover Ukraine’s urgent need for repairs in the energy sector, but also in the health and transport sectors. Several donors contribute to the fund, which also supports long-term reconstruction.
Sida’s work in the climate and environment area will contribute to Ukraine’s green transition. Support for the green transition will help to increase access to fossil-free energy, improve energy efficiency and the sustainable use of natural resources. The support should also help to reduce environmental and climate impact and pollution, and strengthen adaptability and resilience to the environmental degradation and climate change caused by Russia’s aggression.
Sida’s mission also includes supporting sustainable waste management and Ukraine has requested that Sweden lead the coordination of international support in this area.There is a need both to manage and recycle materials from buildings and infrastructure destroyed in the war, and to modernise the waste system in Ukraine in the longer term.
Here are some examples of programmes and projects supported by Sida:
Sida has strengthened its support to organisations monitoring the environmental consequences of the war. This includes tailored support to 13 environmental organisations such as the International Renaissance Foundation in eastern Ukraine. Sida’s partner organisations the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO) have adapted their projects and are now focusing on rebuilding destroyed infrastructure. For example, the DemoUkraine district heating project has switched to covering municipalities’ costs for repairing bombed-out windows and bomb-damaged district heating pipes.
The ongoing war has severely weakened Ukraine’s economy, increasing poverty and inequality. Helping to increase employment for all people is essential to improve economic development. Companies play an important role as employers and engines of growth, and Sida’s mission includes strengthening the business and investment climate in Ukraine. Entrepreneurship needs to be promoted and the conditions for trade, not least with the EU, need to be strengthened. Sida will also contribute to developed value chains, productive employment with decent working conditions and to strengthening confidence in the Ukrainian economy.
Here are some examples of programmes and projects that Sida supports:
Sida has worked with the World Bank and supported the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to improve the livelihoods of displaced people. Sida has also collaborated with the Kiev School of Economics (KSE), which has calculated the cost of rebuilding destroyed infrastructure and is analysing the Ukrainian economy.
Sida supports the UN agency International Trade Centre (ITC), which works to enable small and medium-sized enterprises in the fruit and vegetable sector to increase their production and adapt to market demands. The aim is to make it easier for companies to trade in new markets both inside and outside the country. The project has been adapted to the needs arising from the war.
Through the World Bank, Sida is helping to strengthen Ukraine’s financial sector so that it can drive inclusive economic growth, with a particular focus on marginalised groups.
Russia’s aggression and invasion of Ukraine presents difficult challenges for its citizens, especially those already living in poverty. Particularly vulnerable are those who were already living in poverty. Sida’s mission includes helping to manage mines and explosive remnants of war.
Sida provides support for mine clearance in Ukraine, making it easier for people to farm, move back to their homes, drive on roads and stay in public buildings. In addition to the direct impact on people, mines and other explosive remnants are a major obstacle to Ukraine’s construction and agricultural production, which is important both for the Ukrainian economy and food security worldwide.
The support to the Danish Refugee Council amounts to SEK 145 million. Sida has supported the Danish Refugee Council’s demining programme in Ukraine since 2018. The new support is implemented until December 2026.
These areas are included:
- Mapping of areas affected by mines and other explosive remnants and manual and mechanical clearance.
- Risk education and awareness-raising activities to increase people’s knowledge of the risks of explosive remnants of war.
- Cooperation and support to Ukrainian authorities and civil society organisations. This includes, for example, equipment and training.
Sweden, together with several other countries, supports the Partnership Fund for Resilient Ukraine, which contributes to better public services, increased dialogue and economic development that benefits the population of Ukraine. During the war, the fund provides support to municipalities, displaced persons and works against disinformation.
Sida also supports the UN Development Fund (UNDP) Peace and Recovery Programme. The Fund works to increase security and meet people’s social and health needs. Supporting economic recovery is also part of its work.
Respect for human rights has deteriorated significantly in Ukraine as a result of the war. The war has led to an increase in gender-based and sexual violence. Threats, crimes and discrimination against LGBTI people have increased after the Russian invasion. Sida supports civil society organisations that provide emergency support to communities and people, and that influence and monitor government policy and reconstruction.
Here are some examples of programmes and projects that Sida supports:
Media organisations, journalists, activists and human rights defenders are increasingly exposed to threats and attacks in Ukraine. Sida supports independent media to counter disinformation and the deteriorating security situation for journalists during the war.
Among other things, Sida supports a partnership between Swedish Radio (SR) and the independent public service company Suspilne. The support began in 2018 and includes support for digitalisation and training of journalists. Suspilne is one of the most trusted sources of information in Ukraine.
Sida supports several actors working to strengthen respect for human rights in Ukraine, such as UN Women and Transparency International.
In 2024, Sida, together with the Norwegian International Development Cooperation Agency (Norad), launched a major support to Ukrainian civil society organisations to continue building resilience to the war, especially in areas close to the frontline.
The organisations International Renaissance Foundation and Ednannia are implementing the support through various calls on their websites.
In 2014, Ukraine started working to increase democracy by moving power and decisions on everyday issues closer to the citizens, an effort that Sida supports, among other things, through the Decentralisation Support Project (DSP) run by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR).
After 24 February 2022, the project immediately changed its work. Among other things, the municipalities receive support to take care of people affected by the war in the best possible way, including through initiatives that create jobs.
Sweden has supported the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the implementation of the the project DIA (Digital, Inclusive, Accessible: Support to Digitalisation of Public Services in Ukraine), which in 2022 has developed the state’s digital solutions and tools to enable the population to access public services. These services also reach people in the occupied territories. Citizens have received training to increase their digital skills.
Millions of Ukrainians are in need of humanitarian assistance – especially those living near the frontlines or who have fled within the country. Sida’s humanitarian support provides people with access to clean water, food, healthcare and shelter.
Sida works with international humanitarian and civil society organisations and prioritises the people most in need of support.
Sida’s humanitarian support in Ukraine saves lives and alleviates suffering.
- Save the Children’s website
- International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC ‘swebsite
- Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund (UHF) on OCHA’s website
- International Rescue Committee IRC’s website
- Danish Refugee Council DRC’s website
- East SOS’ website
Learn more about Sida’s analysis of the humanitarian crisis, Sida’s support and how much money is distributed to each organisation in Sida’s crisis analysis.
Support to Ukraine has increased significantly in the wake of Russia’s invasion. In July 2023, the government decided on a new strategy for Sweden’s development cooperation with Ukraine. The strategy comprises a total of SEK 6 billion, of which Sida is allocated SEK 5.7 billion to implement it. The Swedish Institute (SI) and the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) are also tasked with implementing parts of the strategy. In addition, support is also allocated to Ukraine through Sweden’s strategy for reform cooperation with Eastern Europe.
There is a strong Swedish commitment to Ukraine’s reconstruction and further development; the Swedish resource base will be coordinated via Team Sweden Ukraine. Several Swedish authorities have special assignments to contribute to the reconstruction work in addition to Sida, the Swedish Institute and the Folke Bernadotte Academy. The business community has a lot to offer in the work for Ukraine’s construction and further development, whose involvement can help to strengthen Ukraine’s economic development and the country’s role as a trading partner, not least to the EU. Sida cooperates with the Swedish business community through Business Sweden.
Updated: July 1, 2025