A Team Player and Free Agent: Sweden’s Engagement with EU Country and Joint Programming

Sammanfattning

For Sweden, the European Union (EU) represents a central platform for advancing foreign and development policy goals. The EU is not only the largest development cooperation provider but also a global actor that can wield influence internationally and in partner countries. The EU can also act as coordinator with other Member States and EU institutions.

This study explores the relationship between Sweden and the EU in development cooperation It focuses on programming at the partner country level, where a majority of development cooperation is programmed and implemented. The country level is thus a key arena for coordination, collaboration and cooperation between the EU and the Member States. This study analyses Sweden’s engagement in EU country programmes and joint programming against the backdrop of increased efforts to prioritize collaboration among the EU and Member States.

In this report the author, Erik Lundsgaarde, describes Swedish efforts to engage in EU country processes in five case countries. The cases illustrate that there is a potential to increase and develop these links, to improve coordination and to further Swedish policy priorities.