Information and communication activities related to Swedish development cooperation are guided by a dedicated strategy adopted by the government in 2016.The overall purpose of the strategy is to support information-sharing as well as promote open debate, popular interest, enhanced commitment and increased participation in Sweden for a sustainable global development. Jonas has been contracted to lead an evaluation of the strategy, which is expected to promote learning and provide recommendations for the next strategy period.
The Swedish government is preparing a new strategy for the development cooperation with Liberia. Jonas has been contracted by the Swedish Embassy in Liberia to research and present the latest data and trends on the democracy and human rights situation in the country, as an input to the strategy. The assignment was carried out as a desk study.
Based in Botswana, Stop Illegal Fishing (SIF) is a not-for-profit organisation working to support the African Union’s and other pan-African and international processes to stop illegal fishing in African waters. Jonas and Johnny O’Regan are conducting a partner assessment of SIF as an input to Norad’s decision on possible future support to the organisation.
In cooperation with Swedish Development Advisers, SouthBridge Development Consulting is implementing the multi-year project “Organisational development for core support partners in Moldova”, commissioned by the Swedish Embassy in Chisinau. The project includes systems-based audits, training, coaching and mentoring of selected Moldovan CSOs. From April to June, Jonas is conducting systems-based audits of three CSOs – the University Legal Clinic in Balti, Biotica and the Center for Analysis and Prevention of Corruption.
The Swedish government will prepare a new strategy for cooperation with Eastern partnership countries (Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Azerbaijan). Jonas has been contracted by Sida to conduct a democracy and human rights context analysis that will feed into the new strategy. The analysis should address trends, challenges, opportunities and needs at the regional and country level, identify key international, regional and national actors and mechanisms, and provide recommendations on the role and potential added-value of Swedish support.
Jonas is in Chisinau again, this time to review and assess the implementation of priority recommendations coming out from the most recent systems-based audits of two Moldovan CSOs - Adept and VESTA. The follow-up includes a desk review and interviews with key staff, and the drafting of a report to the Embassy of Sweden with recommendations on whether or not the CSOs are ready to receive core support.