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Introduction of the annual report, by Margot Wallström, Chair, and Oscar Ernerot, Secretary General.
Another turbulent year lies behind us – for the world, for Sweden, and for the Palme Center. Armed conflicts have reached their highest levels in decades, while the rules-based international order is being quickly eroded by powerful actors. Progress in reducing global poverty has slowed significantly, and in several of the world’s most vulnerable countries poverty is once again increasing. Inequality is soaring and climate action is losing momentum. Global developments seem to be spinning increasingly out of control.
At the same time, systematic attacks on democracy and on civil society organisations working to counter these dangerous trends continue. Step by step, right-wing authoritarian forces are shifting the boundaries of what is acceptable in a democratic society. Popular movements, trade unions and political opponents are being subjected to targeted attacks as part of a deliberate strategy to weaken and silence critical voices.
To confront these attacks and the negative global trends, we must now stand together. When the Palme Center and the Swedish labour movement, support civil society organisations and trade unions in other countries, it is not about charity – it is about defending shared interests. For every opposition voice silenced in Türkiye or Georgia, and for every trade union leader imprisoned in China or Myanmar, our own ability to defend democracy, our rights and our future is also weakened in the globalised world we live in.
During the year, the Palme Center has continued to act and work together with our many partners and allies around the world. We have implemented 168 international projects, working through capacity-building, organising, communication and advocacy to advance our values and solutions. We will not back down in our commitment – not an inch – and neither will our partners.
The strength of the labour movement has always been rooted in solidarity. It is when we see one another – as human beings, citizens and workers in a shared world – and act together that real change becomes possible. That is why we must resist all attempts to weaken and divide us. Our response must be clear: We stand together – at home and globally. This is not just about the lives and rights of others, but about our shared future.
Social movements, trade unions and popular education are not the problem – they are the solution. And that solution, now as before, is built on unity and solidarity.
Trade union campaign secured housing allowances in EswatiniIn Eswatini, many who work in the public sector lives in overcrowded and substandard housing with low income.
Following efforts of trade unions to improve these conditions, the government decided to introduce a housing allowance of E2000 per month for non-academic staff and other low-income earners in the public sector.
Behind this success is the national trade union confederation TUCOSWA, together with its affiliated unions ATUSWA, NAWUSHI, NAPSAWU and SNAT.
Through campaigns, negotiations and joint demands, they highlighted the workers’ difficult living conditions and called for better terms. They highlighted how many workers on the lowest pay scales are forced to live in simple huts or temporary accommodation, whilst the cost of living rises.
This grant represents an important step in a country where nearly 60 percent of the population lives in poverty. At the same time, this success demonstrates how strong trade union organisations can improve workers’ conditions and contribute to greater equality.
From conflict to dialogue on labour law in Bosnia and HerzegovinaWhen Bosnia and Herzegovina began reforming labour law linked to EU integration, political tensions in the country simultaneously increased.
The issue of the minimum wage in particular created conflict – making trust between authorities, trade unions and civil society weak.
In May 2025, the Palme Center, together with the Forum Left Initiative (FLI), took the initiative to bring together key stakeholders in Sarajevo. During a four-day programme, politicians, trade union representatives and civil society organisations met to discuss labour law, social dialogue and labour market reforms.
The dialogue made it possible to discuss concrete solutions regarding the minimum wage, labour inspections and how the reforms could be implemented more fairly.
The initiative proved to be particularly important for the decision to raise the minimum wage to 1000 KM in 2025.
By creating a forum for open dialogue, the initiative helped to strengthen trust between the prevailing parties and create better conditions for fair labour market reforms.
Female politicians forge new alliances in the PhilippinesIn the Philippines, local politics is often characterised by informal networks and personal dependencies, which makes it more difficult for women to gain influence.
The Palme Center’s partner organisation, the Institute of Politics and Governance (IPG), has established the so-called Women Power Hub initiative to strengthen women’s role in politics. In six local communities, female politicians and women’s organisations have begun to collaborate in new ways.
Previously, many worked in isolation, with limited resources and small personal networks. Through this new initiative, these women and organisations now meet regularly to formulate joint political priorities and plan advocacy work together.
IPG has brought together local decision-makers and civil society organisations for education, mentorship and exchanges of experience on gender equality issues and an inclusive governance.
As a result, more women are now acting in a more coordinated manner and with greater knowledge of political processes.
Cooperation on regulations of civil society in ZimbabweWhen a new law regulating the work of civil society organisations was passed in Zimbabwe, tensions between the government and civil society increased. Many organisations were concerned about how the law would affect their ability to work and represent vulnerable groups.
The Palme Center’s partner organisation, the independent think tank Zimbabwe Institute (ZI), then took the initiative to resume dialogue with the authorities.
By bringing organisations together in a joint coordination group, the voice of civil society was strengthened and common grounds could be met. ZI also organised national dialogue meetings where civil society met with government representatives and relevant authorities.
These discussions focused on the implications of the law and how the regulations could be designed to function more effectively in practice.
The process led to a joint effort to develop principles and proposals for regulations on how the law should be implemented. The government has also clarified registration processes and shown greater openness to civil society’s interests.
This work has helped to rebuild trust between civil society and the state. At the same time, it has created better conditions for organisations to continue working on issues such as democracy, gender equality and human rights in Zimbabwe.
Improved conditions for Albanian sanitary workersSanitary workers in Elbasan have long worked under poor conditions, with low wages and limited influence over their working conditions. Many of them belong to Roma and Egyptian minorities – and work in a sector that is often undervalued despite its crucial role in society.
Through organising and dialogue, workers, civil society organisations and trade union actors succeeded in improving conditions during 2025.
The organisation Youth Roma and Egyptian Movement (YREM) brought workers together to document the problems and formulate joint demands for fair wages and better compensation for night work. Ahead of May Day, YREM brought together Elbasan municipality, sanitary companies and trade unions to discuss the situation.
The dialogue led to concrete results – waste transport workers’ pay rose of 12.5 percent, along with a pledge of a 37.5 percent increase for day work and 50 percent for night work for street cleaners.
The agreement means better incomes for sanitary workers and marks an important step towards stronger social dialogue between workers, companies and local authorities.
Progressive summit puts Ukraine’s future on the agendaIn the midst of Russia’s full-scale war, the Palme Center’s partner SD Platform brought together European social democrats in Kyiv for the first EUkraine Summit – the largest gathering of progressive forces in Ukraine to date.
The summit marked an important step in the work to build a strong progressive movement – with the aim of forming a new political party.
The Palme Center co-organised the summit, and participated with a Swedish delegation.
By strengthening progressive forces, the collaboration helps to promote a political alternative, where reconstruction is not just about investment and infrastructure but also about democracy, social justice and human rights.
SD Platform is an important progressive voice in a political landscape long dominated by the centre and the right.
By bringing together civil society, trade unions, the public sector and academia, they are working towards a society built on freedom, justice and solidarity, and for a just reconstruction of Ukraine.
Updating the paralegal manual in South Africa – rights in practiceIn South Africa, the Palme Center’s partner organisation, the Education and Training Unit (ETU), has updated the Paralegal Manual this year.
The manual provides practical guidance on laws and legal processes that affect people’s daily lives, and is specifically designed for counselling offices, civil society organisations, trade union representatives and others who support vulnerable groups.
The manual comprises over 1,000 pages and is available online, via the Legal Fundi app and in print.
The material is used by civil society, government bodies and local representatives to provide practical support on issues relating to working conditions, social security and legal processes.
By further developing these much-needed methodological resources in collaboration with other actors, ETU is helping more people to assert their rights in practice.
Dialogue on an inclusive and peaceful transition in SyriaFollowing the fall of the Assad regime, Syria faces a crucial crossroad: a peaceful political transition or continued instability.
After 14 years of war and five decades of brutal dictatorial rule, there is a strong desire among Syrians to build a new society characterised by peace, democracy and inclusion.
The Palme Center therefore, together with SILC and the Swedish Institute for Dialogue in Amman, brought together representatives from different sections of Syrian society for a meeting regarding the way forward for the country. The participants came from diverse political and social backgrounds and met to discuss how Syria’s future system of government can reflect the country’s multifaceted society.
During the discussions, issues such as peaceful coexistence, coalition-building and equal representation between women and men were raised. By also drawing on experiences from other countries that have undergone political transitions, the participants were able to identify common challenges and possible ways forward.
North Macedonian citizens’ demands become political commitmentsMany citizens in North Macedonia feel that solely contact with politicians rarely leads to real change. Ahead of the 2025 local elections, the Palme Center’s partner organisation, NGO Info-centre, therefore brought together over 1100 residents across six municipalities to formulate their priorities for their own local communities.
Through a structured process involving surveys, focus groups and public debates, citizens were given the opportunity to ask mayoral candidates directly how they intended to implement these demands. Post the election, the process was followed up with the newly elected mayors.
The result was a democratic breakthrough: in all six municipalities, the mayors signed formal cooperation agreements for the 2026–2029 term of office, in which they committed to working on the basis of the priorities formulated by the citizens themselves.
