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SMC decides on cuts in this year’s development grant
The SMC Board decided on May 30 on how the Swedish government's reduction of this year's budget for foreign development assistance will be handled in the network. The decision concerns SMC's largest grant from Sida, which promotes long-term development efforts through civil society.
Read MoreInternational work for resilience based on local ownership
In May, the UN will hold the GP2022 conference with a focus on reducing the risk of disasters. SMC will participate with a delegation that has experience of both being affected and combating climate change.
Read MoreExploring innovation and superpowers in our network
We were happy to see 170 participants at this year’s digital SMC Network Inspirational Day. Speakers from our global network shared their experiences of how innovation, networking and green transition make us “Stronger Together”.
Read MoreThe point of innovation is making things better
Alan AtKisson is inspired by faith-based organisations' experience in innovation - it spans over thousands of years! On February 7th he joins our Network Inspirational Day to tell us more.
Read MoreSida’s decision: One billion SEK 2022-2026
Sida believes that SMC and its network are a good partner in Swedish development assistance, but that the pace of change in certain processes must increase.
Read MoreI want to see more happen between climate crisis and religion
At the time of writing, it is still unclear how we will remember Cop26 in Glasgow. The meeting is in full swing as I write this. What we do know is that we will have heard a lot of big words.
Read MoreMoney, colonialism and trusting partnerships
How can we contribute to trusting aid partnerships when we hold the money bag? It is an important question to ask ourselves, which is passing on aid money.
Read MoreScandinavian ministerial meeting on religion, climate and aid
The Knowledge Forum for Religion and Development network met the Scandinavian Ministers for Development Aid to talk about what faith has to do with civil society and aid.
Read MoreStronger emphasis on faith in new theory of change and development
Petter Jakobsson, our theological advisor, talks about the update of our theory of change and development and what we hope it will lead to.
Read MoreShorter distances with virtual follow-up visits
The distances in the world have felt longer than usual during the pandemic. But they decreased when we recently brought Sida on virtual follow-up visits to our partners in the Amazon, Colombia, Ethiopia and Nepal.
Read MoreNew guidelines to strengthen work on the environment and climate
A special investment of SEK 5 million per year will promote the integration of the environment and climate into the international development efforts that SMC supports through its member organisations.
Read MoreYemen’s foreign minister wanted to hear civil society’s analysis of the situation
Siri Karlsson from ADRA Sweden was there when Yemen's Foreign Minister recently visited Sweden. He was particularly interested in how civil society can contribute to peaceful development.
Read MoreJust over a billion in applications to Sida for the next five years
SMC applies for just over SEK 1 billion to finance the development cooperation planned together with the member organizations.
Read MoreNew operational strategy decided
At the Annual Meeting of the SMC yesterday, a new operational strategy for 2022-2026 was decided under the slogan Believe in a Better World. However, the decision was not taken unanimously.
Read MoreLessons learned from civil society during the pandemic
How have our partners tackled the pandemic during the past year? What have the restrictions meant for freedom? How has it affected the ability of faith-based organisations to operate in civil society?
Read MoreCore support shall facilitate cooperation in aid
In recent years, Sida has challenged us strategic partner organisations to work more with a new form of support called Core Support. During the spring, we have carried out a pilot project.
Read MoreFundamentalism in Latin America – what can the Church do?
A political-religious version of fundamentalism has developed in Latin America over the past 20 years. It has weakened democracy across the continent. We gathered experts in Latin America to talk about what the role of the Church is and can be.
Read MoreAnalysing civic space from a faith perspective
We invited policymakers and civil society actors to help us connect the dots between freedom of religion or belief and civic space. The discussion illustrated a need for increased dialogue between advocates for democracy and advocates for freedom of religion or belief.
Read MoreLong-term aid work in Ghana pays off
We want to share a story from Ghana. It is about how more than forty years ago our member organisation ADRA laid the foundations for a small vocational school that has today grown into a thriving university.
Read MoreHow to include freedom of religion or belief in civic space analysis
We at SMC work with different civil society actors around the world – many of which are faith-based. In this article we provide a checklist for understanding the role of freedom of religion or belief in civic space analysis.
Read MoreFinal reports show how rights for young people are being strengthened
Children's rights are a recurring theme in the final reports we have read for 2020. Hanna Toorell talks in her column about how some of our partners work to strengthen children's rights over time.
Read MoreSuccessful course on conducting humanitarian projects
During three highly appreciated days, Illiasou Adamou from Niger taught the art of conducting both development but above all humanitarian projects in line with Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).
Read MoreTo love one’s neighbor by listening
We invite our member organisations to a day were we talk about the heart of mission - about what we put into the concept of holistic mission and how we can work ecumenically to learn from each other.
Read MoreSupport local forces to reverse developments in Yemen
Many are disappointed after this week's International Donors' Conference for Yemen. Our member organisations ADRA and PMU's local partners work in Yemen.
Read MoreHigh marks for our international work on religious freedom
An external evaluation concludes that our international work to promote religious freedom for all is very successful.
Read MoreNetwork meeting of Nordic Mission Councils
Every year, the Nordic Mission Councils meet for exchange of experience and networking. This year, it was naturally done digitally, which also enabled more people to participate.
Read MoreOur contribution to Agenda 2030 is hope!
Over 100 participants logged on to "SMC Network Inspirational Day" - our international and digital adaptation of the annual membership days.
Read MoreResilience puts words to sustainable aid work
An evaluation of our special investment in resilience 2017-2021 shows that the initiative has promoted collaborations in our network and that the concept of "resilience" is valuable for putting into words a work that is already being done, often linked to the nexus issues.
Read MoreThe Bible inspired work for the climate
A book about the Bible and the climate revolutionized her way of thinking. Since then, Dr. Ruth Valerio has devoted her life to climate change. At our annual membership days in February, she is one of the keynote speakers.
Read MoreMore climate focus in new development cooperation guidelines
There are now new guidelines for cooperation between SMC and the member organizations on long-term development cooperation in civil society (CivSam).
Read MoreA fighter for cooperation with and between religious
In the shadow of the covid-19 pandemic, religious actors must cooperate regardless of their faith. This is according to Professor Azza Karam, who is one of the keynote speakers at our annual membership days in February.
Read More‘Claiming Space for Faith’ report draws international attention
Internationally renowned Religion and Diplomacy draws attention to our latest report in an interview with Kristina Patring, our advisor on religious freedom.
Read MoreYoung people’s health: “We lost so many”
He comes from a large family with eight siblings. But three of them died of AIDS. That's when Mike Mutungi began to take an interest in questions about young people's health.
Read MoreConscientious objection: Said no for conscience’s sake
Juan Pablo Córtes was 18 years old when he refused to do military service on the grounds of conscience. A decision that has affected his life in several ways.
Read MoreOver 270 million for international aid in 2021
Next year, SMC - Faith in Development will co-finance 57 international development efforts. 16 member organisations have been granted funds of over SEK 270 million for work mainly in Africa and Asia.
Read MoreAbout leadership and mountains
In crisis situations such as a pandemic, good leadership is needed. That's why I'm so excited about our newly started series of webinars focusing on leadership, organizational development and how our faith plays a part.
Read MoreDesk Officer Days 2020: How to Support Effective and Sustainable Development
Julia Brandström shares some reflections after this year’s Desk Officer Digi-Days at SMC, mainly concerning ”How can we truly increase local ownership?”
Read MoreWe sow seeds for change with digital learning
In November, the SMC - Faith in Development held its first course on the digital learning platform Fabo. It was an introductory course in Outcome Mapping and Outcome Harvesting.
Read MoreNew Report Shows: Faith Overlooked in Work for Democracy
"Work for democracy will simply be more effective if issues of freedom of religion or belief are included and if we as aid actors understand the challenges facing our partner organisations."
Read MoreContinued humanitarian engagement
Sida has not yet taken a formal decision on the future of SMC's strategic humanitarian partnership. However, when the current agreement expires in March 2021, an extension is expected until December 2022.
Read MoreMore digital learning through Fabo
Through our membership in Fabo, we and our member organizations will have greater opportunities to create digital resources for learning.
Read MoreIs the world really getting less religious?
Yes, if you believe the latest survey by the World Value Survey. But the survey raises many questions.
Read MoreInvitation: Championing a Localisation Movement in DRR
As part of the Swedish CSO Resilience Network we are happy to coordinate this interactive seminar on Thursday 1st of October.
Read MoreAmbassadors raise awareness about orphanages
The number of orphans worldwide is declining, but orphanages are still being set up at a rapid pace. The Orphanage Dialogue project aims to create an awareness of the problems of orphanages and to show alternatives.
Read MoreSmarter Development with Resilience
Promoting resilience will be critical in order to lift millions out of extreme poverty and meet the 2030 Global Goals. In this interview, resilience expert Silva Ferretti explains the idea of resilience and how to start working with it to strengthen development interventions.
Read MoreLocal actors facilitate humanitarian work in the wake of Corona
The SMC has recently been granted more than SEK 6 million divided over three humanitarian operations in South Sudan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
Read MoreNew report: Corona pandemic hits the world’s poor hard
Today we and six other Swedish organizations are releasing the report Coronapandemin hits the world's poor hard. The report is a rally for democracy that lifts the voices of those most affected.
Read MoreThe heart of the Mission is part of the work on a new strategy
If you can't do what you want, you can do what you can. So, a cancelled meeting place about the mission's heart became a foundation in our work on a new operational strategy 2022-2026.
Read MoreFaith in Development and the 2030 Agenda
The motto of SMC is “Faith in development”. Niklas Eklöv, head of policy and learning at SMC, highlights three main aspects borne out of having faith in development. These aspects are key to understanding the role that faith based actors play in working towards the 2030 Agenda.
Read MoreFaith-based actors and their response to the 2030 Agenda
Sida invites partners and Sida staff to a lunch seminar on “Faith-based actors and their response to the 2030 Agenda”.
Read MoreMaking the most of feminist foreign policy
Law and gender specialist Dr. Saumya Uma visits Sweden with a clear message on the importance of connecting freedom of religion or belief and women’s rights.
Read MoreLearning Platform to Promote Freedom of Religion or Belief to be Launched at the UN
79% of the world’s population live in a country where their religion or belief can put them at risk. Government restrictions and social hostilities based on religious identity or conviction are on the rise globally. The Freedom of Religion or Belief (FORB) Learning Platform offers tools to help reverse this trend.
Read MoreOur Network
Read MoreComplaints
Read MoreNews
Read MoreEvents
Read MoreTheory of Change
Read MoreInternational development cooperation
Read MoreEnvironment, Climate and Resilience
In our international work, we meet many of those who are ultimately affected by climate change and are inspired by their ideas and resilience.
Read MoreOur Work
Read MoreFaith and Democracy
Read MoreInternship program
Read MoreIntegrity Policy
Read MoreOur Board and the Committee
Read MoreAdvocacy
Advocacy is an important tool in creating change and helping decision-makers better understand the needs of the world. We are knowledge based, working with freedom of religion or belief, religious literacy and development policy. Being able to understand the language of both theology and human rights gives us the bilingualism that is often lacking in the Swedish foreign and development policy.
Read MoreLongterm development cooperation
Read MoreOur Member Organisations
Read MoreOur experts
Read MoreBecome a Member Organisation
Read MoreAbout Us
Read MoreFreedom of Religion
Read MoreReligious literacy - a part of SMC's identity
Read MoreWe are rebuilding our website
Does something seem different here? You are right - we are in the process of rebuilding our website to make it more user-friendly.
Read MoreOrganisation & Partnership
There is a multitude of organisations in our network. The partnership between us is a condition for us to be able to contribute to a sustainable society.
Read MoreErik Bäckelid
Read MoreNetworking with Faith in Climate and Resilience
Our network shared experiences of international advocacy and our special asset as faith-based actors in bringing hope and action to the table, both on a local and international level.
Read MoreJohanna Olofsson
Read MoreCourse on Religious Literacy
With our digital course on religious literacy, you can learn more about your own values in relation to other people's faith and beliefs.
Read MoreLime Portal
Read MoreCourse Why resilience matters
Read MoreMira Kim
Read MoreKristina Patring
Read MoreChild participation is a win-win
- Child participation is a win-win because it leads to a more humane society, enhanced realisation of children’s rights, a stronger commitment to democracy and more compassion between people, says Gerison Lansdown ahead of the SMC Member Days 2023.
Read MoreCommunities of practice
Read MoreSevere cuts in Sida funds
Sida has terminated the agreement with SMC regarding the information and communication grant due to the government's cuts for 2023.
Read MoreAbout our website and integrity policy
Read MoreMiriam Mondragon
Read MoreMission
Read MoreCuts to the info/com budget have major consequences
The government's cuts to Sida's info/com budget from 155 to 20 million have major consequences for communication on global issues. It was crushingly clear in a meeting that Sida invited to about the grant and in which SMC and representatives of member organisations participated.
Read MoreAnnual meeting
Read MoreVictoria Pfeiffer
Read MoreThe annual report of 2022 is here
The annual meeting has formally approved the annual report of 2022. It includes features, interviews, financial statements and information about the staff, board members and committee.
Read MoreGreat engagement at SMC's annual meeting
How should faith-based organisations relate to a renegotiated social contract? Does the annual meeting need to confirm motions that have already been addressed? These were some burning questions discussed last week when SMC’s network gathered for a day focused on the annual meeting.
Read MoreGood results but ongoing significant needs - final report on humanitarian aid
On the last day of May, SMC submitted the final report for humanitarian aid to Sida. In total, 2.2 million people in 17 countries have received humanitarian assistance between 2017 and 2022.
Read MoreKristina Patring elected to the Advisory Council on Human Rights
Kristina Patring, expert advisor at the SMC - Faith in Development, has been elected as a delegate to the newly formed advisory council on Human Rights, an advisory body to the Swedish National Institute for Human Rights. She is one of 20 Swedish human rights experts who have been elected to the advisory council.
Read MoreMagnus Lindgren
Read MoreAlmedalen - Global anxiety or global hope?
How do we reverse a growing sense that the world is falling apart? That was the key question when the SMC network organised a panel discussion on young people’s perspectives and engagement.
Read MoreLaunch of Facilitators´ toolkit
Interactive exercises, stories and case studies. In April the Freedom of Religion or Belief facilitators’ toolkit was launched in a digital event with around 50 participants from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Read MoreYouth in focus at member days
The theme for SMC's 2023 member days, attended by almost 100 participants from 29 member organisations was "Youth is the Present." It was the first time after almost three years of digital meetings that the network could meet in real life, and spirits were high among the participants.
Read MoreSMC Learning Network 2024
For many years SMC have had annual learning days in late November together with our Member Organizations, called the “Desk Officer Days”. These days have been an opportunity to dig deeper into different subjects, and to share and learn together. In recent years we have combined digital and in person meetings.
Read MoreOn the topic of environment, climate and resilience - how do you strengthen biodiversity?
In September, SMC arranged a workshop in environment, climate and resilience. An important theme was how we can strengthen biological diversity within the intervention activities.
Read MoreMember Days 2024
Read MoreSMC Inspirational Day 2024
Read MoreThe internship program ends - final report presented
On 15 November, SMC submitted the final reports for the trainee grant to UHR. The reports applied to both 2021 and 2022.
Read MoreHanna Toorell
Read MoreAnna-Lena Hansson
Read MoreHeart Of Mission
The focus during the heart of the mission was on two themes, value-based work in relation to ecumenical diaconia and on the relationship between religious freedom and LGBTQI+ rights.
Read MoreMember Days 2023: Engaging youth
The theme for our first physical membership days in three years was "Youth is the present". In the program there was inspiration about how young people in our network get involved in missions, climate, human rights and social development, both locally and globally - but also a lot of concrete advice on how we as adults can become better at being children and young people's skills and needs.
Read MoreThe role of religious freedom in Swedish foreign and development policy
What can decision-makers, officials and various development actors do to promote an open and democratic culture, in the midst of a time of international division?
Read MoreFinal Report for Communication programme and Humanitarian programme
Sida has approved our final report for the communication program in 2022 and three months in 2023, both the narrative and financial. Sida was impressed that we were able to show results from the work, despite the big challenges in 2022 and that we had to stop the work so quickly.
Read MoreThe religious freedom expert on the Quran burnings and freedom of expression
The debate about the Quran burnings is filled with difficult questions about freedom of expression and religion. To get one step closer to understanding the complexity of the issue, we asked our religious freedom expert to answer a few questions.
Read MoreLGBTQ+ learning priority
During the year, a key learning focus within the SMC network has been the relationship between freedom of religion and belief (FORB) and rights of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
Read MorePost-pandemic: rewarding follow-up visits with cooperating partners
Due to the Covid pandemic, SMC have not had the opportunity for some years to travel with member organisations to visit cooperating partners and interventions. Therefore, trips during 2023 have been important but also rewarding to be able to see what is going on in the interventions.
Read MoreSMC's first framework-agreement approved
During 2023 SMC approved its first framework-agreement. The process, however, started already in 2021 with the recommendation in a report on how to best organise the SMC office to reach the goals set out in the strategic plan for 2022-2026.
Read MoreEva Åberg
Read MoreSaba Wallace
Read MoreWorkshop about Religious literacy in project planning
Read MoreHeart of the Mission
Read MoreDialogue meeting
Read MoreLausanne Declaration's 50th anniversary
Read MorePourquoi la resilience est importante
Read MoreUsing AI Tools in Project Management & Communications and Launch of SMC LEARN
Read MoreUso de Herramientas de IA en la Gestión de Proyectos y Comunicaciones y Lanzamiento “SMC LEARN”
Read MoreUtilisation des Outils d’IA dans la Gestion de Projets et les Communications, et Lancement SMC LEARN
Read MoreInspirational day
Read MoreChurch Community Transformation
On March 12th and 13th, we will arrange two thematic days you are welcome to consider as two parts of one event. The first day has been prepared by the SMC together with the SAM and PMU, while the second day has been prepared by the delegates at the 2024 Global Lausanne Congress in Seoul.
Read MoreDigital Workshop - Church Community Transformation
The workshop will contain Bible studies and some interactive exercises, and the goal is to present a program/process called Church Community Transformation (CCT).
Read MoreSMC Board meeting
The board of the Swedish Mission Council has a board meeting, partly jointly with the committee.
Read MoreSMC Board meeting
The board of the Swedish Mission Council has a preparatory board meeting for the annual meeting at the Ecumenical Center in Alvik.
Read MoreMastering Change: An Introduction to Outcome Mapping and Harvesting
Join our facilitated online course "An Introduction to Outcome Mapping and Outcome Harvesting"
Read MoreSMC Annual meeting 2025
A warm welcome to SMC’s annual meeting on 21 May 2025 at Adventkyrkan in Stockholm.
Read MoreSMC Constituent meeting 2025
The Board of SMC has a constituent board meeting at Adventkyrkan in Stockholm.
Read MoreAI in Project Management
Join our exclusive webinar series on AI for Development and Financial Professionals.
Read MoreAI in Financial Management
Join our exclusive webinar series on AI for Development and Financial Professionals.
Read MoreIN FRENCH - L’IA dans la gestion de projets
Join our exclusive webinar series on AI for Development and Financial Professionals.
Read MoreIN SPANISH - IA en la Gestión de Proyectos
Join our exclusive webinar series on AI for Development and Financial Professionals.
Read MoreIN SPANISH - IA en la gestión financiera
Join our exclusive webinar series on AI for Development and Financial Professionals.
Read MoreIN FRENCH - L'IA dans la gestion financière
Participez à notre série exclusive de webinaires sur l'IA pour les professionnels du développement et de la finance.
Read MoreResilience in Focus: Learning Week in Togo on Environment, Climate, and Conflict
After an intensive learning week in Togo, organized together with PMU, ODOS, and ADRA Togo, Miriam Mondragon, Capacity Development Advisor, reflects on how we can build resilience in our communities. With over fifty participants from ten countries in West Africa, strong networks for future collaboration were established.
Read MoreInsurence seminar
We will meet for an insurance seminar at the Ecumenical Center, Stockholm, on April 9.
Read MoreMore Meetings to Enhance Learning
Following feedback from member organisations, the annual Desk Officer Day has been redesigned into a network. Under its new name, the SMC Learning Network (SLN), four gatherings will be held each year with a strong focus on learning. The first session of 2024 took place on February 13 at the Ecumenical Center.
Read MoreSMC Network at Risk as Funding Structure Changes
The Swedish government has tasked Sida with investigating whether the agency could take over the development cooperation currently channelled through Swedish civil society. This makes it even more crucial for SMC's member organisations to respond to the survey the board has already distributed.
Read MoreThe Stakes Are High as SMC’s Agreement Faces Termination
Support channelled through SMC to small organisations in both Sweden and internationally, is cost-effective, high-quality, and transparent. It contributes to a pluralistic and resilient civil society in some of the world’s most critical regions.
Read MoreIt Started with Us – Don’t Forget That as Agreements Are Now Being Torn Up
It started with us. Long before the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) was established, a faith-based movement within Swedish civil society was already working to change the world. Severing ties with us means that extensive experience and valuable knowledge will be lost to local partners.
Read MoreWhen Politics Misses the Mark
Better grassroots change that truly works than large-scale, opaque initiatives that increase the risk of corruption, writes Anna-Lena Hansson, a long-time employee at SMC Faith in development.
Read MoreTurning Learning into Action
Join us for a dynamic follow-up webinar bringing together partners and members who participated in the Learning Weeks on Environment, Climate, Resilience, and Biodiversity.
Read MoreSMC Advances in Sida’s Call for Proposals
SMC Faith in development is one of 1,044 organisations that have advanced to the second stage of Sida’s call for partnership proposals under the Government’s strategy for supporting civil society.
Read MoreThe Annual Report is Here!
The 2023 Annual Report was formally approved at the Annual Meeting. It is now available for everyone to read, and you can download a copy.
Read MoreFreedom of religion or belief in the government's new strategies
For more than ten years, SMC has ensured that Swedish foreign policy and development assistance policy considers religious actors and freedom of religion or belief as essential parts of the work on democracy and human rights. We will continue to do so.
Read MoreSMC Webinar: Advocacy for Biodiversity
Join us to explore how civil society can engage in advocacy for biodiversity through national NBSAP processes. Based on learnings from WWF trainings and COP16, the session will offer practical guidance for action at national level. Let’s turn the Global Biodiversity Framework into impact!
Read MoreReligious freedom expert on religious minorities in government strategies
The government has mentioned both religious minorities and Freedom of Religion or Belief in two of Sweden's strategies for global development work
Read MorePetter Jakobsson
Read MoreVera Gahm
Read MoreAnalysing the Bill on Democracy Criteria
The SMC has continuously monitored and analysed the bill on democracy criteria for state support to faith denominations and civil society organisations proposed by the former government. On the 27th of March 2024, a new version of the bill was released by the new government after a previously announced review of the previous one.
Read MoreSLN's IRL workshop
SMC Learning Network (SLN) invites members, desk officers and controllers to a full-day workshop in Stockholm on 3 June from 09:30-16:00.
Read MoreExchange of experiences and future exploration during the SMC Member Day
80 representatives from the SMC member organisations gathered at Immanuel Church in Stockholm.
Read MoreSMC Inspirational Day offered constructive conversations with a focus on democracy
The digital event for SMC – Faith in development’s member organisations focused on how we together contribute to change and instill hope in a space where democracy is shrinking.
Read MoreAnnual meeting with good conversations
Despite the pressured situation that Swedish international development is in right now, the SMC's annual meeting was a day with a focus on faith and hope for the future.
Read MoreStrengthening Biodiversity
In November, the UN Global Summit on Biodiversity, COP16, will be held in Cali, Colombia. The SMC – Faith in development (SMC), together with a delegation from member organisations and partner organisations, will be represented.
Read MoreWhen the stories don't sync
When Petter Jakobsson, theological advisor at the Swedish Mission Council (SMR), traveled to Azerbaijan to participate in COP29, he was met with conflicting images of the state of the earth.
Read MoreLennart Nolvall
Read MoreKatherine Cash
Read MoreAbove all, love each other deeply
SMC releases a new resource material aimed at inspiring dialogue on sensitive and polarising issues between Churches and Christian organisations.
Read More