About us

SWEDO is an independent development and aid organization founded in Sweden in 1991. Since the beginning, we have worked tirelessly on the ground in the Middle East to help refugees and people in vulnerable situations. Since 2016 we are one of UNHCR’s main implementing partners in Iraq.

As a non-profit organization, our funds are exclusively allocated to local initiatives. Central to our strategy is the integration of local and regional staff to maintain a nuanced perspective and active presence within our projects. This characteristic sets us apart from other development and aid organizations. By upholding a comprehensive approach, our primary aim is to cultivate enduring and sustainable solutions to the multifaceted challenges arising in the aftermath of armed conflict, civil disturbances, and socioeconomic adversity. Moreover, our efforts are aligned with the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Where we are

We have operations in Iraq, Jordan, Palestine and Syria. We have several active projects aimed towards rebuilding infrastructure, distributing supplies and providing access to clean water and sanitation. We also help with protection, education and the creation of opportunities for people to make a living in the region.

SWEDO’s policies and practices

Transparency and accountability are key aspects that permeate our entire organization. We hold ourselves accountable to our donors, partners, stakeholders, philanthropists, rights holders and, most of all, to the beneficiaries we serve. We adhere to the following principles presented here. If you have any questions about our organization or our operations, please don’t hesitate to ask us for more information.

 

Non-discrimination

As a humanitarian and development organization, we support people solely according to their needs. We do not discriminate based on age, gender, caste, ethnicity, political affiliation, disabilities or religion. We take extra precautions to adhere to the special needs of right holders and beneficiaries in our programs and we have a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation or abuse (SEA).

 

Financial Transparency

We guarantee that all donated funds go towards helping people in conflict-affected areas. We have well-established finance monitoring procedures in place and offer complete transparency with fully supported audit access to our donors and financial supporters, and we have a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Finally, we always work towards optimizing our resources to make our operations as cost-efficient as possible.

Risk management

Risk analysis and continuous mitigation measures is an essential part of designing and planning our projects.

Monitoring, evaluation and learning

We are constantly evolving as we gain experience from our projects and apply this new knowledge in future operations and plans. Our monitoring and evaluation team oversees this process and makes sure that our past experiences are translated into improved practices on the ground. We also have a well-established system for listening to our staff, stakeholders, right holders and beneficiaries. And finally, we have extensive training for all our staff so that they are well prepared for the task at hand.

Partners

In order to contribute effectively to humanitarian operations, we cooperate with our partners on national, regional and international levels. All our activities are financed by contributions from our donors.

Since 2016, we have been one of the main implementing partners of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in northern Iraq.

This partnership have managed the Protection Assistance and Reintegration Centre (PARC) in Erbil.

 

Although these activities, in partnership with UNHCR, have become the cornerstone of our operation in northern Iraq, they are by no means the only activities that our organization is engaged in.

We have a long history of high quality service provision in the middle east, with past projects focusing on rehabilitation, construction, health and shelter. In addition to UNHCR, these other activities have either been supported or done in partnership with UN World Food Programme (WFP), UN Population Fund and (UNFPA).

In cooperation with: