Our work with Swedish aid

In 2025, SMC took the initiative to form a consortium together with seven member organisations. Together, we applied for support from Sida within the framework of the CSO strategy (the strategy for civil society organisations). 

The consortium also includes five additional member organisations, whose local partners around the world will carry out activities within a programme coordinated by SMC’s secretariat. The secretariat coordinates the joint work and, as the lead organisation in the consortium, SMC holds overall responsibility for reporting to Sida. 

SMC has worked with Sida since 1980 and remained one of Sida’s strategic partner organisations until 2025. Although the forms of cooperation have evolved over the years, we continue to uphold Sida’s trust in our ability to manage Swedish tax funds to support civil society in various countries in their efforts towards a sustainable society and the promotion of human rights. 

The illustration below shows how the funds are channelled around the world: 

225 million to 31 countries 

Over a period of 39 months, starting on 1 October 2025, the consortium members will distribute just over 225 million SEK to 46 partners across 31 countries. Our partners will implement initiatives in their respective countries, while also benefiting from capacity-building efforts and opportunities for knowledge exchange within the consortium. 

Within the framework of the consortium, the SMC secretariat is coordinating a programme involving seven partners in six countries. Each partner has an established, long-term relationship with a member organisation. These member organisations contribute to the implementation of the programme in various ways, including by providing co-financing through their own resources.

We work for peaceful, equal and sustainable societies 

Our network consists of a diverse range of member organisations that have long collaborated with churches and other actors in civil society. The partnership between the organisations is crucial to our ability to work together to contribute to peaceful, equal and sustainable societies. 

Through the support provided by SMC, we strengthen people’s opportunities to defend their rights and organise themselves to influence social development. This may involve education for children with disabilities, work to combat discrimination or climate-smart agriculture.  

At the same time, civil society faces growing challenges as democratic space shrinks globally. In order to act effectively, organisations need to be well equipped, both organisationally and strategically.  

SMC contributes to this by offering capacity development, system audits and initiatives for learning, follow-up and evaluation. Digital tools such as the Fabo learning platform increase accessibility, and we work actively against corruption with a particular focus on internal governance and control.