Situation in Sweden
In Sweden, civil society organizations are found in all possible parts of Swedish society. They undertake a lot of different tasks that involve all types of people. Those associations that have been founded in the popular movements in the second half of 19th century are now the most important civil society organisations. Their characteristics include an active and open membership, transparency in operations, high degree of internal democracy and fairness, generous access to public policy making as well as public funding.
Another fundamental part of democracy in Sweden is the engagement of people, mostly seen in formal memberships of associations. The number of formal memberships in Sweden is comparably high in international comparisons. What is furthermore interesting is the almost 1:1 ratio of people working for “voice” (civic and advocacy) organisations and “service” (traditional welfare) organisations. Overall Swedish civil society can be understood as a number of waves/problems and new needs in society and the social movements and organizational solutions for these challenges. Therefore current civil society is a very complex and dynamic organizational field of new and already existing organizations.
Source: Filip Wijkström, The Role of Civil Society. The Case of Sweden in International Comparison, Stockholm School of Economics, May 2004.
Exploring International Collaboration - a swedish experience 2009-02-18
Ideell Arena
Ideell Arena is a partnership between 59 Swedish third sector/non-profit/not for profit organisations.
Founded in: 1998
Based in: Stockholm
Jan Ström
c/o Vårdförbundet
Adolf Fredriks Kyrkogata 11
111 37 Stockholm
Tel:
jan.strom@ideellarena.se
www.ideellarena.se
Forum for Voluntary Social Work
Ariane Rodert
Hantverkargatan 3F, SE-112 21 Stockholm
Tel:
Fax: +46 8 652 51 14
www.volontarbyran.org
arianerodert@socialforum.se
www.volontarbyran.org