Good practices on Gender Equality in Social Protection Programming

The global humanitarian situation in 2025 was characterised by a growing number of challenges: protracted armed conflicts, increasing violations of international humanitarian law and other legal frameworks intended to protect civilians, and heightened obstacles to humanitarian access. At the same time, natural disasters and deteriorating socioeconomic conditions continued to affect already vulnerable groups severely.

Considering these highly complex circumstances, Swedish humanitarian assistance remained principled, needs‑based, and flexible, delivering clear results. In 2025, Sida disbursed approximately SEK 4.6 billion in humanitarian aid, representing around 19 per cent of Sweden’s total development assistance. Support was directed to some of the most complex and severe crises, including Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Palestine and Sudan, guided by Sweden’s humanitarian allocation model, funding decisions are based on the severity of humanitarian needs.

Employment, private sector development and trade are powerful and interdependent drivers for inclusive economic development and poverty reduction. Small and medium-sized enterprises generate over half of all jobs globally and play an important role in low-income countries. Employment is the main source of income for people living in poverty. Trade is an engine for growth and can lead to more and better jobs. Businesses also provide markets and people with essential goods and services. Inclusive, equal education and lifelong learning decreases poverty and secures individuals’ income generating possibilities. However, several factors constrain people living in poverty from accessing markets, participating in the labour market and benefiting from trade and growth. Sida contributes to inclusive economic development and education where people living in poverty can participate and benefit on equal terms. In total, Sida’s interventions in this area amounted to SEK 4.2 billion in 2025, constituting nearly 19 per cent of Sida’s total disbursements.