International development cooperation in the cultural and public spheres
In Sweden’s dialogue and cooperation with the world, SI has a specific mission to strengthen democratic values and promote development. As an organization with a key role in Sweden’s public diplomacy, SI seeks to work actively with communication and exchanges with the rest of the world in areas in which Sweden is particularly skilled.
Under the Swedish development cooperation program, SI funds exchanges in the cultural and public spheres. This support targets actors in Sweden and developing countries who are working actively towards the overall goal of Sweden’s development cooperation effort, namely to help create conditions that enable poor people to improve their lives. Poverty in this context refers not just to the lack of material resources but also to lack of power, opportunity, freedom of choice and security. For exchanges with countries in Sweden’s reform cooperation program with Eastern Europe, the aim is to strengthen democracy, justice and sustainable development and to help the region integrate more closely with the European Union and its basic values.
Expert exchange
In the public sphere, SI supports efforts to promote openness and democratic, economic and social progress in developing countries through the transfer of knowledge and experience to senior officials and experts working with democracy, human rights, gender equality and the role of women in development. Read more about the guidelines regarding applications for expert exchange funding.
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Cultural exchange
SI support for cultural exchanges with developing countries is financed via a mandate from Sida. Our present agreement with Sida expires on 12 December 2009. Information about next year’s rounds of applications will be published as soon as SI receives a decision on a new agreement from Sida.
Creative Force – special calls for funding applications in the cultural sphere 2010
Creative Force is an initiative emphasizing the role of culture in development by linking together projects, exchanges, seminars, network meetings and communication in various forms. As part of the Creative Force program, SI issues thematic and geographical calls for funding applications in the cultural sphere. Read more about Creative Force.
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Please note that it is always the Swedish party involved in a cooperation project that applies for grants.