Forum Syd gathers two hundred Swedish organisations working with international development cooperation and advocacy on global issues. Member organisations consist of major popular movements such as Save the Children Sweden as well as small societies run entirely on a voluntary basis. Forum Syd also works with a large number of organisations and networks worldwide. Our common aim is global justice.

Organisations in Sweden have a long tradition of working with the civil society in countries in the Global South and East. The aim of Forum Syd is to strengthen and develop this cooperation. Within the framework of Forum Syd organisations have the opportunity to exchange experiences and increase their own understanding, create new methods for development cooperation and cooperate to achieve better results. Forum Syd also strives to impact the policies of the UN, World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) on issues of importance for world development such as trade and debt.

Forum Syd was formed in 1995 and is politically and religiously independent. Our operations are largely financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

Four areas of operation:

-They work actively with advocacy on issues concerning world trade, development cooperation policy, debt, social movement support, and the role of civil society.

-They run development programmes together with partner organisations focusing on democracy and rights.

-They arrange and quality assure funding for Swedish organisations engaged in development cooperation around the world and arrange grants from Sida. Projects concern development cooperation and information on global issues in Sweden.

-They build capacity through seminars, skills swapping and network meetings around the world.

Forum Syd has offices in southern and eastern Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Balkans, as well as representation in Ukraine and Belarus. Development work here is conducted jointly with local organisations. Forum Syd has several different roles, but always one and the same objective: supporting civil society as a force for a just and sustainable development in the world.