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Sweden

Learn more about UNICEF's top public sector partners

Edwin Byakatonda (left), a Primary 2 pupil at Buduma Primary School, Namayingo, using one of the five handwashing facilities that were supplied by UNICEF with funding from SIDA. — UNICEF/UNI468766/Edmond Mwebembezi

Partnership overview

Sweden has long been a steadfast advocate for UNICEF’s work, helping us deliver life-saving support to millions of children around the world. A top government donor to UNICEF’s Core Resources for more than a decade, Sweden’s contributions provide the greatest predictability, flexibility and efficiency to priority areas such as health, education, gender equality and climate change, often in the most challenging contexts, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan and Ukraine.

Sweden is also the second-largest donor to UNICEF’s Thematic Funding, supporting programmes in child protection, WASH, and education, while bolstering UNICEF’s humanitarian response. It consistently remains a top donor for humanitarian action, leading with commitment, responsiveness and flexibility during ‘forgotten’ and underfunded crises.

Sweden's multiyear commitment of approximately US$270 million for 2022-2025 reflects its trust in UNICEF’s mandate and effectiveness, and the agency’s integral role coordinating UN initiatives.

Primary counterparts in Sweden include the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Both offer not only financial assistance, but thought leadership and instrumental policy direction to help strengthen UNICEF's core initiatives. Moreover, UNICEF’s Office of Innovation, hosted in Stockholm, acts as a catalyst in technological and creative solutions, in collaboration with private sector actors, to address the most pressing issues faced by children.

UNICEF and Sweden continue to demonstrate the power of a shared-value partnership to shape a more equitable, inclusive world for children.