“Reinforcing freedom of expression and democracy is a key component of the Government’s reform agenda for development assistance, and this support to the OCCRP is part of these efforts,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa.

The OCCRP works specifically to support journalists and human rights defenders in repressive environments, not least in Ukraine, where its efforts have contributed to the development of analysis and evidence for sanctions against Russia. The United States’ suspension of development assistance has hit the OCCRP hard, as it previously received more than one third of its funding from the US. Sweden is now stepping in to cover a large part of this reduction. Continuing to support human rights and democratic forces such as independent media in vulnerable environments is a main component of Sweden’s long-term democracy support. This is particularly true in Ukraine and the rest of Eastern Europe, which are constantly exposed to Russia’s disinformation campaigns and other attempts to influence.

Sweden has also previously increased support to other organisations that support independent journalists around the world. In 2024, the Government decided to expand assistance to two organisations working specifically to support journalists and defenders of human rights and freedoms in repressive environments, including Eastern Europe. Support to the European Endowment for Democracy was increased from SEK 20 million to SEK 35 million and funding to the Prague Civil Society Centre was doubled from SEK 10 million to SEK 20 million.