Analysis

Scandinavian aid: Two towers and a broken bridge

News September 05, 2025 / By: Bjørn H Amland

As disruptive forces reshape the Nordic aid scene, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, three of the world’s top donors, have headed in very different directions. While their security policy is increasingly aligned in the shadow of the war in Ukraine, cooperation in the development field has faltered. Aid alliances are cracking within and between the countries.

Two towers - photo by Frida Drake - Swedish MFA.jpg — In Sweden the aid alliance has collapsed. Development Minister Benjamin Dousa (Moderate), who here announces more aid to Ukraine, is overseeing a “paradigm shift” in Swedish aid, which involves massive cuts. The traditionally pro-aid Liberal Party (L) and the Christian Democratic Party (CD) have been sidelined in the shadow of the Sweden Democrats (SD). From left Joar Forssell (L), Benjamin Dousa , Jakob Forssmed (CD) and Aron Emilsson (SD) (Photo by Frida Drake / Swedish Foreign Ministry)

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