Expanding Partnership: Sweden Commits More Support to Ukraine’s Social Policy Development

During the second Ministerial Social Policy Summit held in Lviv, the Government of Sweden announced an expansion of its support package in the social and healthcare sectors. In total, the partners will allocate over USD 7,2 million, with more than USD 2,25 million directed specifically to support the reform of Ukraine’s social policy system. The program will be implemented from 2025 to 2027 and is also aimed at supporting Ukraine on its path toward EU membership. This decision reaffirms the strategic partnership between the two countries in the area of social protection and their joint response to the challenges caused by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation.

“Cooperation with Sweden demonstrates how international partners can help implement changes that matter to people. In June, we will begin working with our Swedish partners to define the specific areas that the new support will target. This includes not only scaling existing programs, but also creating targeted initiatives to strengthen community-based assistance — in particular, expanding support for older people and persons with disabilities,” said Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovych.

Sweden has long been a reliable partner of Ukraine in the field of social protection. Previously, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine and the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden. It provides for the exchange of experience and best practices in implementing social policy across several key areas. These include cooperation on the introduction of digital solutions to improve social service delivery, development of family based care models, the integration of new services focused on populations in vulnerable situations such as persons with disabilities and children, and overall strengthening of the social service system.

I have had the opportunity to visit Ukraine twice before. I was struck then, as I am now, by all the impressive work that the Ukrainian Government have done to provide social protection and social services under such circumstances. We have a lot to learn from each other and I am sure that together we can strengthen the creation of integrated and comprehensive child protection systems. Sweden’s support to Ukraine will continue during Russia’s full-scale invasion - and after, said Minister for Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall.

Another key priority of Swedish support is directed toward assisting children and families in the context of war. Sweden is now expanding this cooperation to include a new direction — support for older persons. During the Summit, Sweden’s Minister for Older People and Social Security Anna Tenje announced the government’s intention to explore opportunities for deepening cooperation specifically in the area of care for older people. Accordingly, the Swedish Government has tasked the National Board of Health and Welfare with conducting a needs assessment of Ukraine’s elder care system and evaluating Sweden’s capacity to provide targeted support.

“During my visit to Ukraine, it became clear that Sweden’s support truly makes a difference — helping maintain resilience and improve services for those affected by Russia’s full-scale invasion. That’s why I am proud that Sweden now also aims to support older people — a group that is especially vulnerable in both wartime and peacetime,” said Anna Tenje, Minister for Older People and Social Security of Sweden.

Since 2024, the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare has coordinated recovery and reform efforts in health and social policy within the framework of cooperation with Ukraine. This work builds on agreements concluded between the Government of Sweden and Ukraine in 2023. The cooperation is funded by Sida, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

Ukraine–Sweden partnership in social policy not only addresses the immediate challenges caused by war and humanitarian crisis, but also lays the foundation for a sustainable transformation of Ukraine’s social protection system in line with European standards.

Background information about Sida.

Sida – the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency – is a government agency working to create better living conditions for people living in poverty and under oppression around the world. Sida works on behalf of the Swedish government and parliament, and the agency's activities are funded through Swedish tax revenue.

Tags: