Worldwide partnerships

Last reviewed: ‎18‎ ‎October‎ ‎2023

The Swedish EPA’s partners are often colleagues at a ministry of environment, environment agencies, regional and local public authorities, or non-governmental organisations within the environmental field.

When an authority initiates cooperation with us, we ensure that there is a political will in the partner country to develop clear political goals, such as national plans and strategies.

Which countries and thematical areas we choose to work with, depends on Sweden’s environmental and development assistance policies and strategies for different regions and organisations.

Current partner countries

During the 1980s and 1990s, our international cooperation focused on the countries in the Baltic Sea region as it was important to support them in their adaption to EU rules and regulations before becoming members of the EU. 

Since the 2000s, our cooperation has extended and now comprises:

Large economies, for example:

  • Brazil
  • China
  • India
  • the US
  • South Africa

Countries prioritized for cooperation as part of Swedish development assistance, for example:

  • Western Balkan
  • Kosovo
  • North Macedonia
  • Serbia
  • Palestine
  • Zambia

Bilateral environmental cooperation

The Swedish EPA contributes with knowledge and experience to support the development of effective governing and management of environmental work, for example by:

  • Providing experience in how to develop effective environmental authorities by strengthening capacity in organisations and institutions within environmental law and other social systems, as well as individuals.
  • Carrying out trainings and International Training Programs (ITP) and participating with experts within specific areas.

Based on good governance, our cooperation is mainly targeted towards developing measures for preserving biodiversity, reducing climate impact, and contributing to a resource-efficient society. This work covers topics such as Climate and Air Quality, Environmental information, Protected areas, Waste management, and Sustainable urban development. Support and learning  to the EU approximation process is also a large focus in our cooperation with potential candidates or candidate countries. 

The bilateral cooperation fund

The Swedish government has a specific fund for bilateral cooperation with strategic countries in the field of environment and climate. The Swedish EPA is responsible for the coordination of this fund, and we also make decisions on the distribution of the funding.

In total there are four Swedish government agencies involved: 

  • The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management
  • The Swedish Chemicals Agency
  • The Swedish EPA
  • The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, SMHI
  • The Council for Baltic Sea States

Today, cooperation with around ten countries is financed by the fund, for example: 

  • Brazil
  • South Africa
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • China
  • USA

Bilateral development cooperation 

Taking care of environmental and natural resources is a requirement for good living conditions. Through development aid, Sweden wants to stimulate a long-term development which increases people’s prospect to support themselves.

Like many other Swedish government agencies, the Swedish EPA contributes to development cooperation (development aid) through several bilateral projects financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). In this way, we strive to stimulate a long-term development that serves to increase people’s capacity to support themselves.

Our development cooperation aims to contribute to: 

  • poverty reduction
  • increased democratisation
  • sustainable development

More information