Sida's work with migration and development
Migration is a development issue that can drive development forward when it is safe and orderly. Long-term solutions for displaced people create peaceful and inclusive societies. Sida is therefore increasing the focus on migration in development cooperation. The Swedish Government has decided on a new strategy for Sida's work on irregular migration and forced displacement, and to promote the voluntary, safe and dignified return of people who have fled or migrated.
Why do Sida support the area of migration?
Safe and orderly migration matters
Moving has always been one of the human development strategies. However, for many people living in poverty, the conditions to migrate are less favourable. Without legal migration routes, risky migration routes or people smugglers are often the only options. For women and children, the risk of violence – not least sexual violence – is particularly high.
Safe and orderly migration can contribute positively to development and reduce inequalities. People who have migrated and are working can strengthen both the economy of the new country and that of the country of origin, by sending money to family and relatives back home.
More people flee and are displaced
Every year, millions of people are forced to leave their homes due to war, conflict, human rights violations, political or economic instability and other disasters.
In 2024, the number of forcibly displaced people has reached record levels, with internally displaced persons (IDPs), those living as refugees in their home country, being by far the largest group. The vast majority of those who have fled or been forced to migrate stay in neighbouring countries. The majority of these host countries are low and middle-income countries.
Stability is needed for voluntary return
The world situation has deteriorated significantly. The root causes of migration and displacement – conflict, violence, economic instability, climate change, food crisis, or human rights violations – are often unresolved.
According to the UN, many displaced people remain outside their home countries for an extended period of time, and more than half of them have lived in exile for five years or longer. To be able to return voluntarily and safely to their home country, they need stability, livelihoods, access to health care and education.
Sida contributes to:
Sida includes migration and people who have migrated to contribute to the goal of Swedish international development cooperation: reduced poverty and freedom from oppression.
Sida's priority areas
Sida’s development cooperation in the field of migration is implemented within the framework of international agreements that Sweden supports. We contribute to implementing parts of the goals of the UN’s Global Framework for Migration and Refugees and contribute to the fulfilment of Agenda 2030.
Challenges in this area are best solved through cooperation between countries and regions, and development cooperation can contribute to this. We are taking a broad and long-term approach to these issues in partnership with the UN, the EU, individual countries and international organisations.
The Government decided on a new strategy for Sweden’s global development cooperation in migration, return and voluntary repatriation (2024-2028) on 24 October 2024. Sida will take care of the governance of the new strategy and enter into collaborations with partners to best achieve results within the agreed goals.
Here are Sida’s priority areas:
Sida’s work contributes to strengthening capacity for orderly management of migration across society and across a wide range of actors and sectors.
Therefore, Sida strengthens institutions that manage migration. This may involve, for example, supporting a country’s migration authorities or other bodies such as health services. Ensuring that people have access to the right kind of identity documents and documentation is an important issue.
Many displaced people want to be able to return voluntarily and safely. Sida’s support for return and reintegration can include providing access to identification and legal documentation, support to vulnerable families, job opportunities, psychosocial support and strengthening social cohesion with host communities.
Sida also funds mine clearance to enable safe returns. Support for reconstruction, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence is also important for the return of displaced people.
The majority of the world’s refugees are in low- and middle-income countries, and 70% in countries neighbouring their country of origin.
It is therefore important to strengthen the capacity of these countries to manage refugee reception in a fair and dignified manner.
We also work to increase the resilience of communities and populations to crisis and conflict, for example by including refugees and migrants in social protection systems.
We work to ensure that girls and boys who have been forced to migrate or flee have the opportunity to attend school. We help refugees gain access to digital financial services, which can be used for self-reliance, food production, health and education.
Including migrants and refugees in the local community through social services such as health and education facilitates voluntary return and reintegration when the situation is safe.
The Swedish Government decided on a new strategy for Sweden’s global development cooperation in migration, return and voluntary repatriation (2024-2028) on 24 October 2024. Sida will take care of the governance of the new strategy and enter into collaborations with partners to best achieve results within the agreed objectives.
Updated: October 25, 2024