Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) came under scrutiny following reports of 94 internal investigations into potential corruption and irregularities within its programs over the past decade, as noted in recent updates from Swedish media and posts found on X. The investigations, spanning from 2015 to 2025, involve Sida’s handling of aid funds, with eight percent of its current 500 active projects—approximately 40 initiatives—flagged for possible corruption or misconduct. This marks a significant increase from previous years, with the number of cases rising by over 50% since 2015. Among the concerns, Sida’s allocation of 14 million kronor to the Hepatica foundation, linked to the Sweden Democrats, has drawn attention, despite the foundation failing to meet quality standards, as reported on July 4. The government has directed Sida to develop an action plan by October 2025 to enhance anti-corruption measures and improve oversight capacity. Additionally, a separate case involving a decision by Sida’s leadership to fund a struggling UN organization, influenced by former diplomat Jan Eliasson, has raised questions about accountability, with details emerging on July 2. Sida oversees an annual budget exceeding 50 billion kronor for international aid, and the ongoing probes include interviews with over 30 staff members and reviews of financial records from 10 partner organizations. No final outcomes have been concluded, with further details expected as investigations continue.
34news.online