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Self Report 2019

The self-report on WHS Commitments below is organized according to the 24 transformations of the Agenda for Humanity. It is based on commitments pledged at the time of report submission. Click on the 'Expand' symbol to expand each section and read the reporting inputs by transformation.

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  • 1B
    Act early

    Individual Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • Sweden commits to supporting and reacting to early warning systems and emerging crises analysis.
    • Operational
    • Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts

    Core Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to act early upon potential conflict situations based on early warning findings and shared conflict analysis, in accordance with international law.
    • Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
    • Commit to make successful conflict prevention visible by capturing, consolidating and sharing good practices and lessons learnt.
    • Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    As member of the UN Security Council, Sweden has called for focus on prevention of conflicts and sustaining peace.

    A network of female mediators has been established as well as a support function for political dialogue and peace processes enabling Sweden to be more proactive in peace-building processes.

    Continued effort in integrating a conflict perspective in Swedish development cooperation enables a more preventive approach to conflict.

    Sweden has implemented the strategy for Sustainable Peace focusing on prevention of violent conflict and inclusive peace building processes. It aims at improving synergies between development cooperation and political dialogue in peace-building processes.

    Sweden supported the UN and World Bank joint report Pathways for Peace – inclusive approaches for prevention of violent conflict, including taking recommendations to action.

    Sweden has established a working group for triple nexus between humanitarian aid, development cooperation and peace actions.

    B. Please select if your report relates to any initiatives launched at World Humanitarian summit
    • New Way of Working
    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Funding modalities (earmarking, priorities, yearly agreements, risk aversion measures)
    • Multi-stakeholder coordination
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    New mechanisms are needed for increased triple nexus. The new way of working within the UN, the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Initiative (HDPI) initiative by the World Bank and the new recommendations on conflict and fragility by OECD/DAC are useful initiatives. Collective outcomes is an important new mechanism which needs to be implemented and financed.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Further guidance in implementation.

    Keywords

    Humanitarian-development nexus

  • 1C
    Remain engaged and invest in stability

    Individual Commitments (3)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • Sweden commits to continuing to support the conflict prevention capacity of national governments, the UN, civil society, regional and sub-regional organizations.
    • Operational
    • Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
    • Sweden commits to ensuring an integrated conflict perspective on all aid and strengthening its internal conflict analysis capacity.
    • Capacity
    • Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
    • Sweden commits to implementing the Stockholm Declaration on Addressing Fragility and Building Peace in a Changing World, on addressing the root causes of vulnerability and using the New Deal principles to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in fragile and conflict-affected countries.
    • Policy
    • Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts

    Core Commitments (3)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to improve prevention and peaceful resolution capacities at the national, regional and international level improving the ability to work on multiple crises simultaneously.
    • Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
    • Commit to sustain political leadership and engagement through all stages of a crisis to prevent the emergence or relapse into conflict.
    • Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
    • Commit to address root causes of conflict and work to reduce fragility by investing in the development of inclusive, peaceful societies.
    • Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    As a substantial core funder of UN funds, programmes and agencies, Sweden contributes to building conflict preventive capacity within the UN. Sweden also provides substantial support to regional organisations, particularly the African Union (AU). This enables flexibility and opportunity for organizations to remain engaged and contribute to stability.

    Sweden also funds targeted catalytical support to improve capacities and peaceful conflict resolution at national, regional and international level.

    An integrated conflict perspective is mandatory in all Swedish development cooperation, as of 2015, enabling a more preventive approach to conflicts as well as focus on addressing root causes.

    Sweden's  strategy on sustainable peace is sharpening focus on targeted programmes on peacebuilding and political leadership on national, regional and international level.

    Sweden, through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), has elaborated concrete tools on how to integrate a conflict perspective in practice when assessing and monitoring programmes funded by Sweden.

    B. Please select if your report relates to any initiatives launched at World Humanitarian summit
    • A Global Undertaking on Health in Crisis Settings
    • Grand Bargain
    • New Way of Working
    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Buy-in
    • Human resources/capacity
    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    New mechanisms are needed for increased triple nexus. Collective outcomes is an important new mechanisms within the new way of working.

    Keywords

    Strengthening local systems

  • 1D
    Develop solutions with and for people

    Individual Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility

    • Sweden commits to strengthening conflict prevention and sustainable peace by supporting local, regional and international networks of women mediators.


    • Operational
    • Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts Leave No One Behind

    • Sweden commits to strengthening the influence and meaningful participation of women and young people in peace-building according to UN Security Council resolution 1325 and subsequent resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, as well as UN Security Council resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.


    • Operational
    • Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts Leave No One Behind
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Since 2015, Sweden has had  a female mediation network. In 2018, the Swedish women mediation network was actively engaged in support to conflict prevention and peacebuilding, particularly focusing on strengthening the participation of women in peace process at national and international level, including Colombia, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The Swedish women mediation network also engage actively with regional women mediation networks and supports the development of a global alliance of women mediators.

    As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 2017-2018 Sweden has in 2018 actively promoted the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, which has led to the following achievements:

    • Discussions in the Council are more informed, mandates are more precise and the number of civil society organization briefers has increased considerably.
    • With Sweden's contribution, there are now provisions for Women, Peace and Security in all negotiated mandates for political and peacekeeping missions and the Council is including references to sexual and gender-based violence or women’s participation in presidential statements in crisis situations. UN Security Council visits include meetings with women representatives.
    • There are specific listing criteria for sexual and gender-based violence for the sanctions regimes for the Central African Republic, Darfur and Libya.

    Sweden is implementing its third national action plan on Women Peace and Security, including the Government and 12 implementing agencies. The action plan has substantially increased integration of the WPS agenda in the operational work of the government and implementing agencies, as well as contributed increased capacity and coordination with civil society.

    Sweden has, during 2018, supported an assessment of the Youth Peace and Security agenda (YPS), and included YPS as a priority area within the development strategy for sustaining peace adopted in 2017. The integration of YPS and WPS are priority areas within all work on inclusive peace process.

    B. Please select if your report relates to any initiatives launched at World Humanitarian summit
    • New Way of Working
    • The Compact for Young People in Humanitarian Action
    • The Inclusion Charter
    • The Peace Promise
    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Gender and/or vulnerable group inclusion
    • Institutional/Internal constraints
    • Multi-stakeholder coordination
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Lack of inclusion and effective participation of women and youth in peace processes leading to less sustainable conditions for peace.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Policy, commitment and leadership commitment to inclusive peace processes and the implementation of the WPS/YPS agenda. Expertise and resources allocated to insure implementation. Accountability mechanisms for WPS/YPS commitments, including monitoring.

    Keywords

    Gender, Youth

  • 2A
    Respect and protect civilians and civilian objects in the conduct of hostilities

    Individual Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • Sweden commits to supporting impartial humanitarian actors' efforts to engage in dialogue with, and operate according to the humanitarian principles in areas controlled by non-state armed groups.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

    Core Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to promote and enhance the protection of civilians and civilian objects, especially in the conduct of hostilities, for instance by working to prevent civilian harm resulting from the use of wide-area explosive weapons in populated areas, and by sparing civilian infrastructure from military use in the conduct of military operations.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Sweden provides substantial financial - and to a large extent unearmarked - support to humanitarian partners who, as part of their operations in armed conflict, work to promote respect for International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Sweden gives substantive financial support to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for its work to promote respect for international humanitarian law and its implementation in national law. Sweden supports organizations and professionals in the field working to strengthen respect for IHL and humanitarian principles by developing technical capacity, methods, practical tools and training for local use, including the Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiation (CCHN) and Geneva Call. Sweden has continued to raise awareness on IHL and gender in order to improve dissemination and implementation of IHL and international human rights law in international dialogue; especially within its UN Security Council non-permanent membership. Sweden’s strategy for humanitarian assistance through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) emphasizes focus on protection of civilians: "Area 2: Increased protection for people affected by crises and increased respect for humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law (IHL) on  the basis of the IASC Statement on the Centrality of Protection and the Inter-agency Standing Committee (IASC) Policy on Protection in Humanitarian Action. Sida has intensified its dialogue with its strategic partners on the meaningful protection outcomes. Sida's needs-based allocation model at global and national level is a key tool for reaching the most vulnerable in humanitarian crises and in accordance with the principle of impartiality. In addition, Sweden is committed to continuing support for neutral and impartial humanitarian actors efforts to engage in dialogue with, and operate according to the humanitarian principles in areas controlled by non-state armed groups. See also commitments 2C, 2D, 2E.

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Adherence to standards and/or humanitarian principles
    • Field conditions, including insecurity and access
    • IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Supporting impartial humanitarian actors’ efforts to engage in dialogue and operate according to the humanitarian principles in areas controlled by non-state armed groups is crucial. Further, the growing politicization of humanitarian assistance causes concern for the integrity of humanitarian principles.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Insufficient compliance with IHL and the humanitarian principles coupled with insufficient safe and unhindered humanitarian access is a growing challenge. There is a prompt need for a follow up mechanism on IHL and supporting international efforts that aim to track and collect data and report on violations of IHL.

    Keywords

    Gender, Humanitarian principles, IHL compliance and accountability, Protection

  • 2B
    Ensure full access to and protection of the humanitarian and medical missions

    Individual Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • Sweden commits to putting protection at the centre of humanitarian action and providing protection for all according to need and without discrimination.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

    Core Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to ensure all populations in need receive rapid and unimpeded humanitarian assistance.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • Commit to promote and enhance efforts to respect and protect medical personnel, transports and facilities, as well as humanitarian relief personnel and assets against attacks, threats or other violent acts.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Sweden continues to be active within donor fora raising this issue [ensuring full access to and protection of the humanitarian and medical missions] e.g. Friends of 2286 in Geneva, Good Humanitarian Donorship, ICRC donor group etc. Sweden's substantive contributions through both the Swedish Government and Sida to the ICRC is contributing to their Health Care in Danger initiative. Sweden has also supported the launch of a new tracking database set up by the WHO on attacks against health care. Further, Sweden continued to fund agencies with clear protection mandates through core support and country-level support. Within the UN Security Council, Sweden has continuously advocated for full access and the protection of humanitarian and medical care in the conflicts on the Council’s agenda, in particular South Sudan, Syria and ​Yemen . Sweden continuously tried to make sure that protection of civilians, medical and humanitarian missions were included in the Council's formal and informal deliberations. In Yemen, Sweden was instrumental in achieving a first direct dialogue between the parties of the conflict. Regarding Syria, Sweden, together with Kuwait, successfully extended the cross-border resolution 2449 (UN Security Council Resolution 2139) thereby ensuring a life-line for millions of Syrians in need of humanitarian assistance. Sweden contributed to strong language on the obligation to protect medical care by all parties to the conflict in South Sudan. Sweden also arranged an Arria-formula meeting on the protection of health care, which has listed concrete dimensions to follow-up on UN resolution 2286. Sweden is also financing an ICRC study on how military doctrines better integrate protection of health care and health care workers. In addition, Sweden is preparing for focussing on this matter during the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference in 2019. Sweden's strategy for humanitarian assistance through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) emphasises focus on protection of civilians: "Area 2: Increased protection for people affected by crises and increased respect for humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law (IHL).

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Adherence to standards and/or humanitarian principles
    • Data and analysis
    • IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    The lack of full implementation of IHL, IHRL (International Human Rights Law) and humanitarian principles in relation to protection of civilians, medical and humanitarian missions remains a key challenge for the humanitarian system, not least in Syria and Yemen. There is a need for comprehensive data and analysis to be

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    There is a need for improved adherence to applicable international law and standards as well as a principled approach to humanitarian crises.

    Keywords

    IHL compliance and accountability, Protection

  • 2C
    Speak out on violations

    Individual Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • Sweden commits to support international efforts that aim to track and collect data and report violations of IHL.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

    Core Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to speak out and systematically condemn serious violations of international humanitarian law and serious violations and abuses of international human rights law and to take concrete steps to ensure accountability of perpetrators when these acts amount to crimes under international law.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    During the reporting period 2018, Sweden has taken a number of concrete actions, such as spoken out on ongoing violations and the importance of upholding international law in official statements, social media and in various international fora, including the Human Rights Council and as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC).

    Sweden condemned the violations in Syria, highlighting the systematic violations of international law in the UN Security Council. Sweeden repeatedly spoke about conflict-related sexual violence in the UN Security Council.

    Sweden systematically strengthened the UN Security Council's resolutions and statements by including references to the prevention of conflict-related sexual violence.

    Implemented Sweden's humanitarian strategy including a priority area on "Increased protection for people affected by crises and increased respect for humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law", focussing on: Reducing the risk and vulnerability of people affected by crises – particularly those who are the most vulnerable – in the face of threats, abuse and violence; guarantee the dignity and physical safety of people subjected to violence and abuse; reduce the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence and improve opportunities for providing support to those affected by violence; improve opportunities for safe and unhindered humanitarian access to people in need.

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Adherence to standards and/or humanitarian principles
    • Gender and/or vulnerable group inclusion
    • IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    The lack of adherence to standards and principles, International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL), coupled with the lack of an integrated gender perspective is a risk that deteriorates the humanitarian system as a whole as well as a cause of human suffering.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Sweden believes in the importance of a principled humanitarian action and in leading by example. More efforts to speak out and systematically condemn serious violations of international humanitarian law and serious violations and abuses of international human rights law and to take concrete steps to ensure accountability of perpetrators when these acts amount to crimes under international law are needed.

    Keywords

    Gender, IHL compliance and accountability, Protection, PSEA

  • 2D
    Take concrete steps to improve compliance and accountability

    Individual Commitments (8)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility

    • Sweden commits to building a truly coordinated global approach with ambitious commitments to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in crisis contexts through the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence in Emergencies. As Chair of the Call to Action in 2016, Sweden commits to increasing the number of governments and civil society agencies by the end of its leadership term.


    • Policy
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One Behind
    • Sweden commits to continue cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), for example through financial support to the ICC Trust Fund for Victims.
    • Financial
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

    • Sweden commits to continuing to raise awareness on IHL and gender in order to improve dissemination and implementation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.


    • Advocacy
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One Behind

    • Sweden commits to continuing to support joint efforts with international and national actors to strengthen responses at national level to investigate and prosecute sexual and gender-based crimes and to enhance access to justice for victims.


    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One Behind

    • Sweden commits to encourage the UN to include gender mainstreaming and measures against gender-based violence in the mandate of UN humanitarian coordinators by 2018.


    • Policy
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One Behind
    • Sweden commits to promoting improved compliance with IHL in all contexts through support to organizations and professionals in the field working with strengthening respect for IHL and the humanitarian principles and increased focus on developing technical capacity, methods, practical tools and training for local use.
    • Advocacy
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • Sweden commits to promoting the involvement of men and boys in violence prevention work.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • Sweden commits to providing significant humanitarian support to organisations with a protection mandate, including to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and to promote integration of protection in all humanitarian sectors.
    • Policy
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

    Core Commitments (4)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to promote and enhance respect for international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and refugee law, where applicable.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • Commit to speak out and systematically condemn serious violations of international humanitarian law and serious violations and abuses of international human rights law and to take concrete steps to ensure accountability of perpetrators when these acts amount to crimes under international law.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • Implement a coordinated global approach to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in crisis contexts, including through the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence in Emergencies.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • Fully comply with humanitarian policies, frameworks and legally binding documents related to gender equality, women's empowerment, and women's rights.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One Behind
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability

    Sweden played a leading role in compliance initiatives on a global and European Union (EU) level. Sweden expressed its support for the rules-based international system in all its actions, including efforts in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to strengthen the respect for international law and accountability for violations.

    Sweden is strongly supportive of initiatives with the aim of strengthening accountability for violations of international law in armed conflicts, including in the conflicts in Iraq and Syria. Until the International Criminal Court (ICC) or other international criminal accountability mechanisms have jurisdiction, other options must be explored. Documentation and evidence-gathering, and a continued push for third-country jurisdiction, constitute an important start. Sweden supports the international, impartial and independent mechanism (IIIM).

    Gender-based violence prevention and response

    Sweden has taken a wide range of measures on gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), see commitments 2A, 2C, 2E and 3D. It is central to consider specific humanitarian needs and opportunities when developing a humanitarian response (protection and assistance) for a principled approach.

    Sweden has a specific focus on combating discrimination against women and girls that often results from the marginalisation of and violence against women and girls. Women as actors and the inclusion of men and boys in the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) are key priorities. Sweden is committed to continue cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), for example through financial support to the ICC Trust Fund for Victims. Sweden continues to support joint efforts with international and national actors to strengthen responses at national level to investigate and prosecute SGBV crimes and to enhance access to justice for victims.

    Sweden has encouraged the UN to include gender mainstreaming and measures against GBV in the mandate of UN humanitarian coordinators.

    Other

    Sweden continues to give its full support to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Sweden tirelessly emphasizes in various international forums the importance of accountability for the preservation of the rules-based international system, and that the international community must continue to support the ICC in its ongoing efforts to end impunity.

    Sweden also advocates for the cooperation between international organizations, civil society and independent accountability mechanisms to prepare the ground for accountability in the future. Sweden actively works with its national proceedings alongside the work of the ICC. A number of individuals have been convicted of war crimes in Swedish courts based on Sweden's application of universal jurisdiction. 

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Adherence to standards and/or humanitarian principles
    • Gender and/or vulnerable group inclusion
    • Institutional/Internal constraints
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Together with Switzerland, Sida has decided, as of 2019, to support WFP in their endeavour to increasingly address protection issues that intersect with their formal mandate and in developing a new protection strategy. Given the size and coverage of WFP operations, there is great potential in this approach.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Sweden believes that it has a good set of policies, guidelines and tools for placing protection at the centre of humanitarian action. But there is an urgent need to ensure that these policies and guidelines trickle down to the level of projects and programs. Collective efforts to achieve meaningful protection outcomes that reduce risks to affected persons by decreasing threats, reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing capacities are critical.

    Keywords

    Gender, IHL compliance and accountability, Protection, Strengthening local systems

  • 2E
    Uphold the rules: a global campaign to affirm the norms that safeguard humanity

    Individual Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • Sweden commits to actively promoting compliance of IHL through dialogue with State Parties and experts and supporting the intergovernmental process as set out in Resolution 2 of the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in 2015.
    • Partnership
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

    Core Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to promote and enhance respect for international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and refugee law, where applicable.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Sweden has consistently raised the issues of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and women, peace and security in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to promote compliance.

    Sweden gives substantial financial support to humanitarian partners like International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) who apply IHL in their daily work.

    Sweden supports organizations and professionals in the field working to strengthening respect for IHL and the humanitarian principles on the development of technical capacity, methods, practical tools and training for local use.

    Sweden has continued to raise awareness on IHL and gender in order to improve dissemination and implementation of IHL and international human rights law in international fora.

    The Swedish Strategy for Humanitarian Assistance through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) includes the following language under priority Area 2: "Increased protection for people affected by crises and increased respect for humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law. Concrete activities are:

    • Reducing the risk and vulnerability of people affected by crises – particularly those who are the most vulnerable – in the face of threats, abuse and violence.
    • Guaranteeing the dignity and physical safety of people subjected to violence and abuse.
    • Reducing the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence and improve opportunities for providing support to those affected by violence. Improving opportunities for safe and unhindered humanitarian access to people affected by crises. Increasing knowledge about international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles.
    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Adherence to standards and/or humanitarian principles
    • IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Explore ways and means to establish a compliance mechanism for violations of IHL.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Compliance of IHL/IHRL and humanitarian principles such as safe and unhindered humanitarian access is more challenging in the world today than ever. There is a prompt need for a monitoring mechanism on IHL and supporting international efforts that aim to track and collect data and report violations.

    Keywords

    Gender, IHL compliance and accountability, Protection, PSEA

  • 3A
    Reduce and address displacement

    Individual Commitments (6)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • Sweden commits to continuing substantial financial support to UNHCR, WFP, UNRWA, OCHA, ICRC and non-governmental organisations meeting the needs of the forcibly displaced.
    • Financial
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Sweden commits to continuing to support durable solutions for refugees, including through a gradual increase of its yearly resettlement quota through UNHCR, from the current level of 1,900 people a year to 5,000 people by the end of 2018.
    • Policy
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Sweden commits to supporting data collection and assessment of needs of urban IDPs/refugees and the impact of displacement on host communities.
    • Operational
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Sweden commits to supporting durable solutions for refugees and internally displaced populations.
    • Policy
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Sweden commits to supporting innovative approaches for self-reliance of refugees and IDPs through job creation, vocational training and income-generating schemes.
    • Policy
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Sweden commits to supporting longer-term and durable solutions that benefit the displaced and their host communities, including in urban areas.
    • Policy
    • Leave No One Behind

    Core Commitments (5)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to a new approach to addressing forced displacement that not only meets immediate humanitarian needs but reduces vulnerability and improves the resilience, self-reliance and protection of refugees and IDPs. Commit to implementing this new approach through coherent international, regional and national efforts that recognize both the humanitarian and development challenges of displacement. Commit to take the necessary political, policy, legal and financial steps required to address these challenges for the specific context.
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Commit to promote and support safe, dignified and durable solutions for internally displaced persons and refugees. Commit to do so in a coherent and measurable manner through international, regional and national programs and by taking the necessary policy, legal and financial steps required for the specific contexts and in order to work towards a target of 50 percent reduction in internal displacement by 2030.
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Acknowledge the global public good provided by countries and communities which are hosting large numbers of refugees. Commit to providing communities with large numbers of displaced population or receiving large numbers of returnees with the necessary political, policy and financial, support to address the humanitarian and socio-economic impact. To this end, commit to strengthen multilateral financing instruments. Commit to foster host communities' self-reliance and resilience, as part of the comprehensive and integrated approach outlined in core commitment 1.
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Commit to collectively work towards a Global Compact on responsibility-sharing for refugees to safeguard the rights of refugees, while also effectively and predictably supporting States affected by such movements.
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Commit to actively work to uphold the institution of asylum and the principle of non-refoulement. Commit to support further accession to and strengthened implementation of national, regional and international laws and policy frameworks that ensure and improve the protection of refugees and IDPs, such as the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol or the AU Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala convention) or the Guiding Principles on internal displacement.
    • Leave No One Behind
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Refugees

    Sweden was actively engaged in the consultations led by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) which led to the adoption of the Global Compact on Refugees, and acted as facilitator in Geneva of the UNHCR omnibus resolution. The Swedish International  Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has seconded national experts to several Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) and strengthened synergies between its humanitarian and development cooperation to ensure both short-term humanitarian assistance as well as support to more long-term solutions. A four-year strategic partnership agreement was signed with UNHCR during which period Sweden commits itself to support UNHCR with a total amount of SEK 3,480 million.

    IDPs (due to conflict, violence, and disaster)

    Sida has continued its engagement in the multi-year agreement signed in 2017 with the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) to ensure continued internally displaced people (IDP) data collection, including data collection on urban internally displaced persons. Sida has also strengthened synergies between its humanitarian and development cooperation to ensure both short-term humanitarian assistance as well as support to more long-term solutions strengthening IDPs, refugee and host community selfreliance and resilience. Finally, Sida has increased focus on forced displacement in development cooperation strategies and programmes, such as in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda.

    B. Please select if your report relates to any initiatives launched at World Humanitarian summit
    • Grand Bargain
    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Data and analysis
    • Funding modalities (earmarking, priorities, yearly agreements, risk aversion measures)
    • Joined-up humanitarian-development analysis, planning, funding and/or response
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    The low level of un-earmarked support to UNHCR and other key actors hinders a swift, flexible and efficient response to crises that involve forcibly displaced persons. There is a need for continued improvement of synergies between humanitarian assistance and development cooperation as well as improved data collection.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Countries should deliver on promises along the lines of good humanitarian ownership including Grand Bargain principles of un-earmarked and flexible funding. The implementation of the Global Compact for Refugees will be key to solve and prevent root causes of displacement and protracted displacement situations.

    Keywords

    Displacement, Humanitarian-development nexus

  • 3D
    Empower and protect women and girls

    Individual Commitments (11)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility

    • Sweden commits to building a truly coordinated global approach with ambitious commitments to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in crisis contexts through the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence in Emergencies. As Chair of the Call to Action in 2016, Sweden commits to increasing the number of governments and civil society agencies by the end of its leadership term.


    • Policy
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One Behind
    • Sweden commits to continuing the implementation of targets for the 2030 Agenda on maternal and newborn health and making sure that partners provide maternity care for women in emergencies.
    • Operational
    • Leave No One Behind

    • Sweden commits to continuing to raise awareness on IHL and gender in order to improve dissemination and implementation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.


    • Advocacy
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One Behind

    • Sweden commits to continuing to support joint efforts with international and national actors to strengthen responses at national level to investigate and prosecute sexual and gender-based crimes and to enhance access to justice for victims.


    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One Behind
    • Sweden commits to demanding that partners apply the IASC, ECHO or other gender and age markers in all humanitarian operations by 2018 and only funding operations that include a gender perspective.
    • Operational
    • Leave No One Behind

    • Sweden commits to encourage the UN to include gender mainstreaming and measures against gender-based violence in the mandate of UN humanitarian coordinators by 2018.


    • Policy
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One Behind
    • Sweden commits to encouraging humanitarian and development organisations to partner and strengthening the capacity of local women's organisations and groups, e.g. through capacity-building and mentoring.
    • Advocacy
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Sweden commits to increasing the number of targeted interventions carried out by partners to meet women's and girls' immediate humanitarian needs by 2018.
    • Operational
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Sweden commits to only funding humanitarian interventions that explicitly include a gender analysis with sex and age disaggregated data by 2018, and supporting the humanitarian system's capacity to ensure that women's and girls' human rights and empowerment are integrated in the humanitarian response.
    • Financial
    • Leave No One Behind

    • Sweden commits to strengthening conflict prevention and sustainable peace by supporting local, regional and international networks of women mediators.


    • Operational
    • Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts Leave No One Behind

    • Sweden commits to strengthening the influence and meaningful participation of women and young people in peace-building according to UN Security Council resolution 1325 and subsequent resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, as well as UN Security Council resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.


    • Operational
    • Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts Leave No One Behind

    Core Commitments (4)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Empower Women and Girls as change agents and leaders, including by increasing support for local women's groups to participate meaningfully in humanitarian action.
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the Outcome documents of their review conferences for all women and adolescent girls in crisis settings.
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Ensure that humanitarian programming is gender responsive.
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Fully comply with humanitarian policies, frameworks and legally binding documents related to gender equality, women's empowerment, and women's rights.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One Behind
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Other

    One of four focus areas in Sweden’s strategy for humanitarian aid is increased protection for people affected by crises and increased respect for IHL. Reducing the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and improve opportunities for providing support to those affected is an important component within this area of work and a continued priority for Sweden in 2018. Between 2011-2018, Sida supported UNHCR in its work on SGBV. The support contributed to the update of the organization’s SGBV Strategy, and to the development of tools and methods to mainstream SGBV throughout UNHCR operations. Sida’s support to ICRC amounted to SEK 545 million in 2018, contributing to the ICRC’s response to humanitarian needs in more than 30 contexts. The ICRC operates under the assumption that sexual violence occurs in a given context, and therefore acts proactively in order to address it. In line with its overall working procedures, the ICRC favors a holistic and multidisciplinary approach, acknowledging the need to address the multiple needs of victims/survivors of sexual violence, to work on prevention as well as response. Support to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency’s pool of SGBV specialists allowed for deployment to, amongst others, UNICEF and UNHCR, contributing to strengthen their capacity to prevent and respond to SGBV.

    Gender equality programming

    Call to Action - participated in a regional workshop in Sudan. New guidelines for NGO partners, emphasizing the need for gender analysis and making in mandatory to use the gender with age marker (GAM).​ Sida was the donor representative acting as an observer in the Steering Committee for GenCap. Participated in the Friends of Gender Working group of the Grand Bargain.

    Conducted a survey of how partners work to integrate gender equality in programming. Participated in the discussions on gender and cash, within the work stream on cash of the Grand Bargain.

    Active dialogue with OCHA on how to strengthen the gender equality perspective in Humaniratin Response Plans and Humanitarian Needs Overviews.

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Other: Insufficient focus on addressing risks of SGBV taking place
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    A lacking focus on addressing the risks of SGBV taking place has a negative impact on the protection of women and girls, it is absolutely critical to ensure that more is done to reduce exposure to existing threats and vulnerability, as well as strengthening capacities to address or avoid threats in the environment.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    There is a need for donors to promote and support prevention of SGBV and Sida has therefore stepped up its dialogue with partners on this topic to attempt to increase the focus on prevention and protection issues, including SGBV. Starting in 2019, Sida will also provide support to InterAction in developing a results-based evaluation framework for SGBV prevention in humanitarian crises.

    Keywords

    Gender, Protection

  • 3F
    Enable adolescents and young people to be agents of positive transformation

    Individual Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility

    • Sweden commits to strengthening the influence and meaningful participation of women and young people in peace-building according to UN Security Council resolution 1325 and subsequent resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, as well as UN Security Council resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.


    • Operational
    • Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts Leave No One Behind
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    During its membership in the Security Council 2017-2018, Sweden became a strong actor in promoting peace and security as well as of Security Council Resolution 2250. Sweden was the pen-holder together with Peru, writing Security Council Resolution 2419 with input from civil society, the Peacebuilding Support Office and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

    Mapping of Sida:s (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) current contributions was undertaken and a helpdesk review commissioned to identify global and regional organizations that directly target youth, peace and security or make reference to Security Council Resolution 2250.

    Sweden (through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida) is supporting youth organizations' activities related to peacebuilding and conflict management.

    Sweden, through the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), has a specific funding envelope since 2016 to support projects targeting youth and youth organisations focusing on disarmament, security policy, peacebuilding, conflict management and conflict prevention.

    On 5-7 December 2018, FBA hosted a joint UN learning forum on youth, peace and security (https://fba.se/contentassets/165620adc76247f6922b2c51936ea3db/executive-summary.pdf).

    Regarding to UN Security Council resolution 2250, Sweden is continuing exploring approaches, strategies and priorities for successful engagement.

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Data and analysis
    • Gender and/or vulnerable group inclusion
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    See information under commitments 1D and 3D.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Directed and committed efforts from the international community to ensure the effective and meaningful participation of youth in peacebuilding on a local, national and international level by strengthening the influence of women and youth according to the UN Security Council resolutions on Women Peace and Security as well as Youth, Peace and Security.

    Keywords

    Youth

  • 4A
    Reinforce, do not replace, national and local systems

    Individual Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • Sweden commits to encourage humanitarian partners by 2017 to equally consider cash along with other modalities throughout humanitarian response, particularly multi-purpose cash wherever relevant and appropriate.
    • Advocacy
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Sweden commits to taking a more joint and systematic approach to risk and resilience through joint analysis, common planning and more flexible development support towards reducing risks and building resilience at local, national and global levels, including risk-sensitive social protection systems and risk insurance.
    • Operational
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

    Core Commitments (6)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to a new way of working that meets people's immediate humanitarian needs, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years through the achievement of collective outcomes. To achieve this, commit to the following: a) Anticipate, Do Not Wait: to invest in risk analysis and to incentivize early action in order to minimize the impact and frequency of known risks and hazards on people. b) Reinforce, Do Not Replace: to support and invest in local, national and regional leadership, capacity strengthening and response systems, avoiding duplicative international mechanisms wherever possible. c) Preserve and retain emergency capacity: to deliver predictable and flexible urgent and life-saving assistance and protection in accordance with humanitarian principles. d) Transcend Humanitarian-Development Divides: work together, toward collective outcomes that ensure humanitarian needs are met, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years and based on the comparative advantage of a diverse range of actors. The primacy of humanitarian principles will continue to underpin humanitarian action.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Commit to reinforce national and local leadership and capacities in managing disaster and climate-related risks through strengthened preparedness and predictable response and recovery arrangements.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Commit to increase investment in building community resilience as a critical first line of response, with the full and effective participation of women.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Commit to ensure regional and global humanitarian assistance for natural disasters complements national and local efforts.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Commit to increase substantially and diversify global support and share of resources for humanitarian assistance aimed to address the differentiated needs of populations affected by humanitarian crises in fragile situations and complex emergencies, including increasing cash-based programming in situations where relevant.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
    • Commit to empower national and local humanitarian action by increasing the share of financing accessible to local and national humanitarian actors and supporting the enhancement of their national delivery systems, capacities and preparedness planning.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Strengthening national/local leadership and systems

    During 2018, Sweden (through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida) revised its NGO Guidelines with localisation covered both under planning and reporting. It also covers third-party implementation. This contributed to a prioritization of applications that aims to strengthen local and national responders' capacity. All partners funded for humanitarian operations in 2018 included some elements of national capacity building in their work, much of which included a gender component. Approximately 11% of Sida's total funding to humanitarian funding was forwarded to national partners. The percentage is an average and varies from context to context, where factors such as access and exit planning are determining factors in whether an international NGO engages with national partners. In Jordan, for example, Sida's support to the Norwegian Refugee Council was largely channeled through national partners with an eye to building local capacity.

    In 2018 Sida revised its partnership agreement template. It is now clearer with regards to what applies when forwarding funds to sub-grantees, including national actors, facilitating the possibility to forward funds.

    Sweden is a committed supporter of pooled funding mechanisms that create ample opportunity for national organizations to seek funding e.g. the country-based pooled funds.

    Building community resilience

    Sweden has advanced further, during 2018, in taking a more joint and systematic approach to risk and resilience through joint analysis, common planning and more flexible development support towards reducing risks and building resilience at local, national and global levels; including risk-sensitive social protection systems and risk insurance. In the current strategy governing Swedish humanitarian assistance, the concept of resilience, both at the individual and the community levels, is integrated as a perspective that should be reflected wherever possible in Swedish funded humanitarian assistance. The ambition has been reflected in partnership guidelines between Sida and NGO partners. In the review of Sida’s NGO guidelines in 2018, in order to become a long-term partner and to receive annual and multi-year humanitarian funding from Sida, partners were requested to inform on how planned interventions are contributing to strengthened resilience. This ambition was also reflected in Sweden’s humanitarian funding. In 2018, funding was reserved for resilience and nexus strengthening interventions. A total of 23 projects were accepted, with the majority seeking to address and strengthen resilience in humanitarian settings.

    Cash-based programming

    Through flexible funding and program-based approach, Sweden has enabled strategic partners and core support organisations to choose the most optimal aid modality, where cash can be one. During 2018 Sweden has continued supporting CashCap, the Cash Learning Partnership (CaLP), Humanitarian Policy Group, Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action (ALNAP) and Development Initiatives resulting in more evidence-based research on cash programming. Sweden also begun discussions with the Social Protection team in order to identify where links can be strengthened. More work on this will occur in 2019.  Furthermore, Sweden has participated in donor coordination, methods and policy discussions on cash in various fora which has led to more coherent and systematic services, information, standards and guidelines regarding cash assistance.

    People-centered approaches (feedback mechanisms, community engagement, etc)

    Ensuring that partner's interventions include elements that contribute to accountability for affected populations (AAP) is of great importance to Sida. The majority of partners have at least the bare minimum feedback mechanism in place, but also rely on monitoring and evaluation praxis to collect input from communities where they work. Sida, reflecting the weight that AAP carries in Sweden's Humanitarian Strategy 2017-2020 is actively engaging with partners on accountability and have set it as a point for specific dialogue with several partners. Furthermore, through its method and capacity portfolio, Sida finances the particular accountability projects of several partners. Some of these interventions aim to strengthen the particular organizations internal systems, whereas others look to the broader humanitarian system and response. For example, Sida finances the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountabiltiy (CHS) Alliance to work together with Ground Truth Solutions in Chad to better integrate accountability in Chad's Humanitarian Response Plan. Through perception surveys, Ground Truth Solutions and CHS Alliance have collected concrete feedback from affected communities on the reach and effectiveness of the response. Through this work and the accompanying advocacy, the Chad Humanitarian Response Plan now includes specific indicators as well as targets for people's perception.

    Adherence to quality and accountability standards (e.g. CHS, SPHERE)

    In 2018, Sida continued providing core support to the CHS Alliance for the sake of implementing its strategy. With Sida's support, the CHS Alliance was better able to support its members through training on the CHS, as well as to drive new and innovative work to address protection against sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA). Sida drives dialogue with the CHS Alliance to find ways to better institutionalise the Standard as well as to better synch it with other standards, such as SPHERE. In 2018, the CHS was incorporated into the new SPHERE handbook. Sida also finances the SPHERE and was actively engaged in the work to prepare and launch the new SPHERE Handbook.

    Other

    Sida and its strategic partners are engaged in many of the important initiatives that are driving increased engagement of local capacities and initiatives. This includes the Charter for Change, New Way of Working, Education Cannot Wait, and the Grand Bargain.

    B. Please select if your report relates to any initiatives launched at World Humanitarian summit
    • Grand Bargain
    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Data and analysis
    • Funding modalities (earmarking, priorities, yearly agreements, risk aversion measures)
    • Institutional/Internal constraints
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Sida's strategic partners are primarily from the UN System, the Red Cross/Crescent Movement and INGOS. The possibility to fund national NGOs directly does not exist at this time, but is achieved through Sweden's significant support to pooled funds e.g. country-based pooled funds.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Continued commitment to the the Grand Bargain and the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) agenda, including to recall and reinforce national and local leadership, uphold humanitarian principles, strengthen partners' initiatives on AAP including its increased institutionalization throughout the humanitarian system, and increase support and investment in community resilience.

    Keywords

    Cash, Community resilience, Country-based pooled funds, Local action, People-centred approach, Quality and accountability standards, Strengthening local systems

  • 4B
    Anticipate, do not wait, for crises

    Individual Commitments (3)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility

    • Sweden commits to investing in developing capacity for analysis of risk and vulnerability in national systems.


    • Capacity
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

    • Sweden commits to supporting global actors such as the World Bank Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) as key actors for implementing the Sendai Framework.


    • Policy
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

    • Sweden commits to supporting risk reduction and resilience-building efforts at national and local levels from development budgets with support from the humanitarian side.


    • Financial
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

    Core Commitments (3)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to a new way of working that meets people's immediate humanitarian needs, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years through the achievement of collective outcomes. To achieve this, commit to the following: a) Anticipate, Do Not Wait: to invest in risk analysis and to incentivize early action in order to minimize the impact and frequency of known risks and hazards on people. b) Reinforce, Do Not Replace: to support and invest in local, national and regional leadership, capacity strengthening and response systems, avoiding duplicative international mechanisms wherever possible. c) Preserve and retain emergency capacity: to deliver predictable and flexible urgent and life-saving assistance and protection in accordance with humanitarian principles. d) Transcend Humanitarian-Development Divides: work together, toward collective outcomes that ensure humanitarian needs are met, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years and based on the comparative advantage of a diverse range of actors. The primacy of humanitarian principles will continue to underpin humanitarian action.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Commit to accelerate the reduction of disaster and climate-related risks through the coherent implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as well as other relevant strategies and programs of action, including the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
    • Commit to improve the understanding, anticipation and preparedness for disaster and climate-related risks by investing in data, analysis and early warning, and developing evidence-based decision-making processes that result in early action.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management (including resilience)

    Sweden is the biggest bilateral donor to UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) with SEK 70 million a year, SEK 40 million from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and SEK 30 million from Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

    Contribution of SEK 5 million per year (2018-2020) to the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR), aiming to strengthen resilience and give voice to civil society organisations, mainly at the local level. Sida, in dialogue with partners, has highlighted the importance of integrating a conflict perspective and increase presence in conflict contexts for peacebuilding purposes. 

    World Bank's  Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR): Sida supports GFDRR with core funding of a total of SEK 25 million for 2018. Within the framework for Somalia Emergency Drought Response and Recovery Project (DINA), GFDRR has, in 2018, contributed to a needs analysis linked to recurring crises, especially drought, with proposals for long-term preventive solutions to strengthen poor people’s resilience and to reduce hunger.

    Keywords

    Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction, Strengthening local systems

  • 4C
    Deliver collective outcomes: transcend humanitarian-development divides

    Individual Commitments (4)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • Sweden commits to actively exploring ways to transcend the humanitarian-development divide, by supporting information sharing, common needs analysis and the achievement of collective outcomes over multiple years.
    • Operational
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Sweden commits to increasing synergies between the humanitarian and development sectors through a joint and systematic approach to risk, resilience and protracted needs at local, national and global levels.
    • Operational
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Sweden commits to strengthening the humanitarian system's capacity to plan and allocate resources based on coordinated and impartial multi-sector needs assessments and analysis.
    • Capacity
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Sweden commits to supporting the UN RC/HCs' leadership on the coordination of international engagement and mobilising resources to support the delivery of collective outcomes.
    • Operational
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

    Core Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to a new way of working that meets people's immediate humanitarian needs, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years through the achievement of collective outcomes. To achieve this, commit to the following: a) Anticipate, Do Not Wait: to invest in risk analysis and to incentivize early action in order to minimize the impact and frequency of known risks and hazards on people. b) Reinforce, Do Not Replace: to support and invest in local, national and regional leadership, capacity strengthening and response systems, avoiding duplicative international mechanisms wherever possible. c) Preserve and retain emergency capacity: to deliver predictable and flexible urgent and life-saving assistance and protection in accordance with humanitarian principles. d) Transcend Humanitarian-Development Divides: work together, toward collective outcomes that ensure humanitarian needs are met, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years and based on the comparative advantage of a diverse range of actors. The primacy of humanitarian principles will continue to underpin humanitarian action.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Joined-up humanitarian-development analysis and planning towards collective outcomes

    Besides Swedish commitment and support to the New Way of Working, Sweden is actively participating at partner country-level in the formulation of joined up humanitarian/development analyses and the formulation of collective outcomes, for instance in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali and Sudan. Sweden is also strengthening joint analyses related to its humanitarian and development assistance by regularly including development colleagues in the formulation of Sida’s Humanitarian Country Analyses. Humanitarian colleagues are also included in the development cooperation strategy cycle, including the analysis, operationalisation and review of relevant  Swedish development cooperation strategies.

    Financing Collective outcomes

    Sweden allocates its humanitarian funding to the UN and NGOs based on needs and priorities identified through the Humanitarian Needs Overview and Humanitarian Response Plan process, which link up to overarching system-wide collective outcomes as appropriate.

    Investing in disaster risk reduction

    Sweden funds disaster risk reduction through its development portfolio. With increased investments to climate change, Sweden has also increased its funding to disaster risk reduction, for instance through the contribution to the Green Climate Fund.

    B. Please select if your report relates to any initiatives launched at World Humanitarian summit
    • Grand Bargain
    • New Way of Working
    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Funding modalities (earmarking, priorities, yearly agreements, risk aversion measures)
    • Joined-up humanitarian-development analysis, planning, funding and/or response
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Stronger links between the United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks and Humanitarian Response Plans are key to success while at the same time safeguarding humanitarian principles and  humanitarian space.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    To make collective progress there need to be an increased focus on resilience and risk by investing in risk-informed analyses and programming. There is also need for tackling the underlying drivers of risks, crises and vulnerability as well as prevention, early action and durable solutions to recurrent and protracted crises.

    Keywords

    Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction, Humanitarian-development nexus

  • 5A
    Invest in local capacities

    Individual Commitments (3)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • Sweden aims to provide at least 15 percent of Swedish funding for humanitarian response plans through country-based pooled funds, where such funds exist and function efficiently, in line with the target of the UN Secretary-General.
    • Financial
    • Invest in Humanity
    • Sweden commits to increase the share of Sida's humanitarian support which is channeled to local organizations and first responders, including through support to UN country-based pooled funds.
    • Financial
    • Invest in Humanity

    • Sweden commits to investing in developing capacity for analysis of risk and vulnerability in national systems.


    • Capacity
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

    Core Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to empower national and local humanitarian action by increasing the share of financing accessible to local and national humanitarian actors and supporting the enhancement of their national delivery systems, capacities and preparedness planning.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Country-based pooled funds

    Sweden (through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida) is one of the largest donors to country-based pooled funds (CBPF) which channels some 25 per cent funding to local organisations in major humanitarian crises. Some CBPFs, such as Lebanon, Pakistan and Turkey, allocated a majority of funds through local organisations.

    Capacity building of national/local actors

    Sweden is also among the largest donors to the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement. A large part of the support to the Swedish Red Cross is channelled to national Red Cross/Red Crescent national societies, including capacity-strengthening components of the national societies on crisis preparedness.

    In addition, Sweden is one of main donors to the IFRC in order to help them build local capacities in the field within the Movement.

    Direct funding to national/local actors

    Over 11 per cent of Sweden’s humanitarian aid, through Sida, is estimated to have been implemented  through local actors either under the CBPF or through a single intermediary. This includes financing through joint funds and traceable financial flows from Sida’s partners to local organisations.

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Funding modalities (earmarking, priorities, yearly agreements, risk aversion measures)
    • Human resources/capacity
    • Institutional/Internal constraints
    Keywords

    Country-based pooled funds, Local action, Strengthening local systems

  • 5B
    Invest according to risk

    Individual Commitments (3)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • Sweden commits to expanding from development budgets preventative and risk-driven public-private partnerships such as through risk insurance and social protection.
    • Financial
    • Invest in Humanity

    • Sweden commits to supporting global actors such as the World Bank Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) as key actors for implementing the Sendai Framework.


    • Policy
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

    • Sweden commits to supporting risk reduction and resilience-building efforts at national and local levels from development budgets with support from the humanitarian side.


    • Financial
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

    Core Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to accelerate the reduction of disaster and climate-related risks through the coherent implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as well as other relevant strategies and programs of action, including the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
    • Commit to invest in risk management, preparedness and crisis prevention capacity to build the resilience of vulnerable and affected people.
    • Invest in Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    SEK 10 million per year (2016-2020) is given to Huairou Commission for building resilience and strengthening the leadership of grassroots women in developing countries. Means from the Resilience Fund have been invested in innovative projects and methods to promote and show best-practice women-led projects in some 20 developing countries. The projects have contributed to increasing livelihood opportunities for women, food security, protection of natural resources and increased resilience towards climate change and natural disasters.

    Keywords

    Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction, Gender

  • 5C
    Invest in stability

    Individual Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • Sweden commits to supporting the implementation of the new UN peacebuilding agenda and the new concept "sustaining peace" in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2282 and UN General Assembly Resolution 70/262, including increased focus on conflict prevention, an enhanced role for the UN Peacebuilding commission, and helping to mobilize resources for the UN Peacebuilding Fund.
    • Operational
    • Invest in Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Sweden is one of the top donors to the United Nations (UN) Peacebuilding Fund.

    Sweden's membership in the UN Security Council is giving priority to contributing to a relevant and effective peacebuilding architecture within the UN.

    Sweden continues to be one of the major donors of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other funds and programmes with a key mandate for taking the sustaining peace agenda to the operational level.

    Sweden's global strategy on sustainable peace has focus on strengthened capacity for peaceuilding on global, national and local level.

    B. Please select if your report relates to any initiatives launched at World Humanitarian summit
    • Grand Bargain
    • New Way of Working
    2. B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Lack of joined up approaches between humanitarian, development and peacebuilding actors.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    New mechanisms are needed for increased triple nexus. The new way of working within the UN, the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Initiative by the World Bank and the new recommendations on conflict and fragility by OECD/DAC are useful initiatives. Collective outcomes is an important new mechanism which needs to be implemented and financed.

  • 5D
    Finance outcomes, not fragmentation: shift from funding to financing

    Individual Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • Sweden commits to consistently meeting the target of the High-Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing to provide at least 30 percent of funding to humanitarian UN agencies in the form of non-earmarked, core contributions.
    • Financial
    • Invest in Humanity
    • Sweden commits to increase multi-year humanitarian financing based on multi-year plans.
    • Policy
    • Invest in Humanity

    Core Commitments (3)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to enable coherent financing that avoids fragmentation by supporting collective outcomes over multiple years, supporting those with demonstrated comparative advantage to deliver in context.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
    • Commit to promote and increase predictable, multi-year, unearmarked, collaborative and flexible humanitarian funding toward greater efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability of humanitarian action for affected people.
    • Invest in Humanity
    • Commit to broaden and adapt the global instruments and approaches to meet urgent needs, reduce risk and vulnerability and increase resilience, without adverse impact on humanitarian principles and overall action (as also proposed in Round Table on "Changing Lives").
    • Invest in Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Sweden has committed itself to implementing the Grand Bargain and the key results or outcomes for 2018 are in the areas of humanitarian financing mechanisms as well as policy for partnership, reflected in guiding documents such as Sida’s NGO Guidelines and the humanitarian project cycle. These areas ae concrete outcomes of how Sweden has strategically identified and reached results vis-à-vis its commitments to a more effective humanitarian response and system. In 2018  Sweden entered into four multi-year strategic partnership agreements with UNHCR, WFP, CERF and UNRWA för the period of 2018-2021. In total 55.8 per cent of the Swedish humanitarian funding for 2018 was un-earmarked, MFA 100 percent and Sida 23 percent, which was a successive increase from the two previous years (approx. 38 per cent in 2017). This includes Sida's Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) mechanism where funds are transferred to partners' accounts, but released on a project-by-project basis when a crisis emerges. Whereas 23 per cent of Sida’s financing was un-earmarked (according to guidelines provided for reporting), additional funding is delivered through other approaches that provide the partner with a great degree of flexibility. For example, Sweden funds three partners through the program-based approach (more than SEK 300 million in 2018) that is un-earmarked at country-level and described in greater detail below. Although at a smaller amount, Sida also provides core funding to partners working to advance methodology aimed at improving the efficiency of the humanitarian system. In parallel, Sida approved 22 multi-year funding programs in 2018. It must be noted that for the time being, the number of projects Sida has approved (with a start in 2019) has decreased. This is due to the fact that Sida has reviewed the selection criteria with an eye to being clearer as to the added value that multi-year financing can bring.

    B. Please select if your report relates to any initiatives launched at World Humanitarian summit
    • Grand Bargain
    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Funding modalities (earmarking, priorities, yearly agreements, risk aversion measures)
    • Institutional/Internal constraints
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Sida allocates needs based per country, depending primarily on impartiality. Thus it is not possible to allow partners flexibility to re-allocate between countries as this would undermine Sida's own analysis. Sida must also balance accountability to taxpayers with flexibility for partners when allocating un-earmarked.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    To better balance accountability, Sida is working on internal guidelines for better planning and follow up of the program-based approach. Partner reporting on the program-based appraoch continues to be developed. A clearer, demonstrated 'value add' of flexible/multiyear funding - where partners show how they are better able to implement an effective and responsive humanitarian program - must be confirmed before further roll out.

    Keywords

    Local action

  • 5E
    Diversify the resource base and increase cost-efficiency

    Individual Commitments (3)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • Sweden commits to actively support initiatives to increase the transparency of humanitarian financing flows at all levels.
    • Operational
    • Invest in Humanity
    • Sweden commits to continuing to provide significant support to the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), and advocating for CERF vis-a -vis other donors, to help meet the target of the UN Secretary-General to expand CERF to US$ 1 billion by 2018.
    • Financial
    • Invest in Humanity
    • Sweden commits to working with other donors and partners to simplify and harmonise donor reporting requirements.
    • Policy
    • Invest in Humanity

    Core Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to increase substantially and diversify global support and share of resources for humanitarian assistance aimed to address the differentiated needs of populations affected by humanitarian crises in fragile situations and complex emergencies, including increasing cash-based programming in situations where relevant.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
    • Commit to promote and increase predictable, multi-year, unearmarked, collaborative and flexible humanitarian funding toward greater efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability of humanitarian action for affected people.
    • Invest in Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    The commitments made under the Grand Bargain are an integral and explicit part of the Swedish strategy on humanitarian assistance, 2017-2020, guiding Sida's work. Sida aims to institutionalize approaches through internal policy, such as the program-based approach (PBA). Besides being a flexible funding mechanism, the PBA reduces administration for both the partner and Sida. Several Grand Bargain commitments were confirmed through other policy documents that guide Sweden in funding humanitarian responses in crises. Through efforts under the Grand Bargain work stream, Sida participated in the harmonized reporting pilot. While Sida does not generally prepare a template for its partners, using the harmonized reporting template was positively received by partners and Sida staff assessing reporting. Swedish core support to the Central Emergency Response fund (CERF) is SEK 695 million per year for 2018-2021, with additional funding going to the fund on an ad hoc basis. Sweden also supports other pooled funds, including country-based pooled funds, the WHE and Rapid Response Mechanisms (RRM) e.g. UNICEF Rapid Response to Movements of Population in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on a country per country basis. Sida also funds partners with RRM/unallocated financing, which reduces administrative burdens. Sweden is in general guided by a principle of transparency as demonstrated by public resources such as Openaid.se With specific regards to the humanitarian programing, Sida publishes its analysis and allocation through the Humanitarian Crisis Analysis of the largest crises on its website. Information about Sida's allocation model (including qualitative analysis) and all humanitarian funds channelled through Sida is also available publicly. Sida has committed to participating in a pilot aimed to develop system synchronising data and reporting between OCHA Financial Tracking Service (FTS) and the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI). Sida is planning to use  IATI data within its organisation e.g. for monitoring and reporting vis-à-vis other Grand Bargain commitments. Conclusively, Sweden is a driver in other areas captured under this commitment including cash and gender and disability.

    B. Please select if your report relates to any initiatives launched at World Humanitarian summit
    • Grand Bargain
    • New Way of Working
    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Data and analysis
    • Institutional/Internal constraints
    • Multi-stakeholder coordination
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    A lack of standardization between different financial tracking mechanisms is a challenge. Also, it should be noted that the data entry is quite time intensive. The friction between reporting requirements and wanting to allow partners to set their own approach to reporting affects transformation.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Further standardization between different financial reporting mechanisms to better streamline reporting. Overarching coordination between donors when it comes to applications and reporting.

    Keywords

    Transparency / IATI

Attachments

  • Sweden Grand Bargain Reporting 2018 _ narrative
    Cash, Gender, Humanitarian-development nexus
  • Sweden Grand Bargain Reporting 2018 _ spreadsheet
    Transformation - 4A, 4C, 5A, 5D, 5E | Cash, Gender, Humanitarian-development nexus | Grand Bargain