Sweden’s foreign policy work for democracy

The protection of human rights and democracy defenders is therefore a central element of the strategy for Sweden’s global development cooperation for work on human rights and freedoms, democracy and the rule of law 2024–2028. Pro-democracy movements, including networks and other smaller formalised groups in civil society, are also prioritised. Furthermore, the Government increased support to two leading democracy organisations in 2024: the European Endowment for Democracy and the Prague Civil Society Centre. In order to address democratic backsliding and the expansion of authoritarian rule, the Government supports strengthened cooperation between democracies, including within the framework of organisations such as International IDEA.

The EU provides extensive support for democracy and human rights within the framework of its development assistance. For the period 2021–2027, this support amounts to EUR 1.5 billion. EU democracy support includes actions aimed at strengthening political participation, the rule of law, public finance management and the fight against corruption in developing countries. EU election observation missions are also an important means of supporting democracy. Since 2000, the EU has conducted more than 180 election observation missions in 65 countries outside the Union. The Folke Bernadotte Academy is responsible for recruiting, training and deploying Swedish personnel to international election observation missions, including those of the EU and the OSCE in its member states.