About the Swedish Institute
Sharing Sweden with the world.
The Swedish Institute (SI) is a public agency that promotes interest and confidence in Sweden around the world. SI seeks to establish cooperation and lasting relations with other countries through strategic communication and exchange in the fields of culture, education, science and business. SI also supports Swedish language instruction at foreign universities.
SI works closely with Swedish embassies and consulates around the world.
Relationships depend on communication
The Swedish Institute’s work with Sweden’s image and its activities in international development cooperation go hand in hand. The institute’s overarching goal is to create mutual relationships with other countries around the world, whether the issue is culture, politics, trade, or development cooperation. However, in order to achieve this goal, awareness of and interest in Sweden must first increase.
Relationships and exchanges contribute to development
Both in Sweden and in our collaborative partners around the world. Through increased contacts and new networks, knowledge and innovative ideas can be shared and applied in the future to all areas, not least to trade, culture and politics. The SI’s collaboration with developing countries is an important part of this work. We can offer Swedish expertise and skills at the same time that incentives, networks and opportunities in our partner countries benefit Sweden.
Short facts:
- Putting Sweden on the map by using strategic communication
- Creating intercultural relations through meetings, exchanges and the building of networks
- Focus is on culture, society, education and science
- Some 90 members of staff in Stockholm and Paris
- Receives annual government funding of approx. SEK 225 million.
- The SI Board, which is appointed by the Government, comprises the Director-General and representatives of various public sectors
Director-General, Olle Wästberg
Department of Administration and Services
Director, Lena Köling
Department for Branding and Coordination
Director, Thomas Carlhed
Department of Communications and Marketing
Director, Else-Marie Mattsson
Department for Intercultural Relations
Director, Kurt Bratteby
Department for Projects and Events
Director, Åsa Lundmark
The SI also has a branch abroad, the Swedish Cultural Centre (Centre Culturel Suédois) in Paris.
Read more: The Swedish Institute - Sharing Sweden with the world (PDF, 7,3 MB)