The Swedish government is investing significant political, financial and human resources into its continuous support to Serbia. The aim of the support is to enhance the prospects of Serbia’s EU membership trough strengthening democratic governance and human rights, promoting an environmentally sustainable development as well as promoting exchange within trade, culture and civil society.

Using the EU integration process as a tool Sweden is contributing to poverty reduction, democratic development and greater respect for human rights in Serbia. The support focuses on strengthening public institutions and to contribute to a better environment.

Swedens support to Serbia began in the late 1990s with humanitarian aid after years of war in the Balkans. In the early 2000s long-term development cooperation was initiated. Since then Sweden have provided more than 200 million Euros in grants to Serbia. 

Serbia has applied for EU membership and committed itself to substantial reforms in a number of areas. Sweden supports these reforms to achieve better living conditions for the people. The support should contribute to increased respect for human rights, strengthened democratic institutions, reduced poverty among vulnerable groups and environmental sustainability.

>Read more about Sweden´s development cooperation with Serbia.
>Strategy for Sweden’s reform cooperation with the Western
Balkans and Turkey for 2021–2027