During the second Summit of Ministers of Social Policy held in Lviv, the Government of Sweden announced an expansion of its support package in the social and healthcare sectors. Currently, total funding stands at USD 7.2 million, of which USD 2.25 million is specifically allocated to support the reform of Ukraine’s social policy system. A broader programme will be implemented in 2025–2027 and is also aimed at supporting Ukraine’s path toward EU membership.
This decision is yet another confirmation of the strategic partnership between the two countries in the field of social protection and a response to the challenges posed by the Russian Federation’s armed aggression.
"Cooperation with Sweden shows how international partners can help implement changes that are important for people. In June, together with our Swedish partners, we will begin coordinating specific areas where the new aid will be directed. This involves not only expanding existing programmes but also creating targeted initiatives that will enhance support in communities — in particular, scaling up support programmes for the elderly and people with disabilities,” said Ukraine’s Minister of Social Policy, Oksana Zholnovych.
Sweden has long been a reliable partner of Ukraine in the area of social protection. A Memorandum of Cooperation has previously been signed between Ukraine’s Ministry of Social Policy and Sweden’s Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. The document provides for the exchange of experience and best practices in implementing social policy across several key areas. This includes collaboration on digital solutions to improve social services delivery, development of family care models, integration of new services focused on vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities and children, and the overall strengthening of the social services system.
“I have already had the opportunity to visit Ukraine twice. Then, as now, I was impressed by the tremendous efforts the Ukrainian Government is making to ensure social protection and deliver social services under such difficult conditions. We have much to learn from each other, and I am confident that together we can strengthen the development of an integrated and comprehensive child protection system. Sweden’s support for Ukraine will continue both during and after Russia’s full-scale invasion,” said Sweden’s Minister for Social Services, Camilla Waltersson Grönvall.
Another key priority of Sweden’s support is helping children and families during wartime. Now Sweden is expanding this cooperation to include a new area — support for elderly people. At the Summit, Sweden’s Minister for Elderly Affairs and Social Insurance, Anna Tenje, announced the government's intention to explore opportunities to deepen cooperation in elderly care. Accordingly, the Swedish government has tasked the National Board of Health and Welfare with assessing Ukraine’s needs in elderly care and evaluating Sweden’s potential to provide targeted support.
“While in Ukraine, it became clear that Sweden’s support truly matters — it helps maintain resilience and improve care for those affected by Russia’s full-scale invasion. That is why I am proud that Sweden now wants to support elderly people — a group that is especially vulnerable both during wartime and in peacetime,” said Minister Anna Tenje.
Since 2024, Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare has been coordinating recovery and reform efforts in the fields of health care and social policy as part of cooperation with Ukraine. This is based on agreements concluded between the Governments of Sweden and Ukraine in 2023. The cooperation is funded by Sida. The Ukraine–Sweden partnership in social policy not only responds to current war-related and humanitarian challenges but also lays the groundwork for a sustainable transformation of the social protection system in line with European standards.
Background
Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) is a government agency that works to improve living conditions for people living in poverty and oppression around the world. Sida operates on behalf of the Swedish Government and Parliament and is funded by Swedish taxpayers.
