Development Sweden #81. How Sida's board stopped Islamic Relief
A newsletter on Swedish development co-operation and policy
Dear readers,
Welcome back to a new issue of Development Sweden. The Swedish development Cooperation Agency Sida has decided to defund Islamic Relief, based on indirect allegations against relatives and others to the NGO. Read our detailed investigation and a reply from Islamic Relief. Also, The Swedish government has decided to cut the contribution by half to International IDEA, the democracy institute in Stockholm.
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David Isaksson
Editor-in-Chief, Global Bar Magazine
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Our headlines
The Swedish government halves its support for IDEA.
How Sida’s board stopped Islamic Relief.
Islamic Relief responds to accusations.
The Swedish government halves its support for IDEA
The government has decided to halve its support for the democracy institute International IDEA, despite Sweden having approved the budget at a meeting in December 2025.
The democracy institute International IDEA is an intergovernmental organisation based in Stockholm that works to support sustainable democracy globally, particularly electoral processes, constitutional governance and inclusive political participation.
The organisation was formed on Sweden’s initiative in 1995 by 14 states and has since grown to around 35 members today. IDEA produces comparative analyses, handbooks and policy recommendations on topics such as money in politics and party systems. The organisation also works directly on the ground in several countries.
IDEA’s activities have at times been marred by several scandals, including those relating to the payment of salaries and allowances. In recent years, however, things have been quiet and there has been no criticism.
In December 2025, IDEA held a council meeting where the budget and action plan were adopted. According to information received by Global Bar Magazine, Sweden fully supported the budget at that time and there were no indications that Sweden would further reduce its support.
According to information provided to Global Bar Magazine, Sweden has now reduced its contribution again – for the third year in a row. The Swedish contribution for 2026 will now amount to SEK 16 million, which is half the amount for 2025.
According to Global Bar Magazine’s sources, the cut corresponds to 20 per cent of core support, and the unexpected Swedish announcement means that the action plan for 2026 must be redrafted. The Swedish decision will also have consequences for staff and operations at a time when democracy support around the world is faltering considerably.