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In the run-up to the general election, civil society created new forums for interaction between voters and political candidates.
Through the POP Network, citizens were given the opportunity to ask questions directly to politicians and raise local priorities.
In ten municipalities, public forums were organised where more than 42 candidates met with over 700 citizens in direct dialogue. The discussions were broadcast live and reached over 23,000 viewers online.
The focus was on issues such as governance, transparency, social services and gender equality.
The format was based on local dialogues where residents first identified their most important issues. During the forums, they were then able to demand concrete answers from the candidates.
The initiative helped shift the election campaign from political rhetoric to substantive issues, whilst strengthening citizens’ ability to participate in democracy and hold politicians accountable.
Campaign raises awareness of the rights of blind war veterans in UkraineRussia’s full-scale war has left thousands of Ukrainians with severe injuries. One group that is often overlooked is soldiers who have lost their sight.
The Palme Center’s partner, SD Platform, has therefore launched a campaign to ensure that blind veterans receive the support and rehabilitation they need to lead a dignified life.
The organisation, which works towards a society built on freedom, justice and solidarity, highlights social issues in a context where these are often pushed into the background.
Through the campaign, SD Platform is pushing for concrete reforms: long term financial support, improved rehabilitation and access to care and rehabilitation throughout the country.
They also work to ensure that public spaces, transport and government services are accessible to people with visual impairments.
The initiative helps to raise the profile of a forgotten group – and to shape Ukraine’s reconstruction into a more inclusive society where everyone can participate on equal terms.
Trade unions take their place in African trade policyThe African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) covers over a billion people and could have a major impact on jobs, industry and economic development across the continent.
Despite this, trade unions were long excluded from both the negotiations and the implementation of the agreement.
Thanks to support from the Palme Center’s partner organisation, the Labour Research Service (LRS), the situation has now begun to change. Trade unions in nine African countries have strengthened their knowledge of trade policy, developed joint demands and pushed to gain influence over how the agreement is to be implemented.
This work has yielded concrete results.
In both Rwanda and Namibia, trade unions have now secured seats on the national committees responsible for implementing the AfCFTA. This means that, for the first time, workers’ perspectives are represented in key decisions on trade and economic policy.
This change marks an important step towards trade policy in Africa taking greater account of working conditions, employment and social justice.
Breakthrough dialogue within the energy sector in North MacedoniaAs coal-fired power in the Pelagonia region is phased out, concern is growing among workers and people in local communities.
At the energy company REK Bitola, relations between management and trade union representatives have long been characterised by mistrust and uncertainty about what the transition will mean for jobs and livelihoods.
Together with the Palme Center, our partner organisation MKC Bitola created a forum for dialogue within the Local Economic and Social Councils (LESC). In 2025, representatives of company management and trade unions gathered for the first time for a joint discussion on the future energy transition.
The discussions provided a space for workers to openly voice their concerns about losing their jobs and facing reduced incomes, whilst company management acknowledged the need for better dialogue regarding the changes ahead. Experiences from other European coal regions demonstrated how a just transition can best be achieved through collaboration between companies, trade unions and the local community.
The meeting marked a clear breakthrough. The focus shifted from concerns and conflicts to how the transition can be managed collectively. As a next step, an international exchange of experiences with trade unions from other coal-mining regions in Europe is now being planned.
By establishing dialogue between workers, industry and civil society, this work contributes to a fairer climate transition in which people are given a say in their future.
Tent schools brought hope to children in GazaDuring the year, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened. Civilians have faced starvation as the Israeli government blocked emergency aid whilst the bombings continued.
In the midst of the war, the Palme Center’s partner Pyalara set up simple tent schools for children in Gaza. There, children could receive lessons in Arabic, English and mathematics – but also draw, sing and play.
For many, the schools provided a moment of safety in an otherwise dangerous and uncertain existence. In total, the initiative reached over 700 children aged between 7 and 13.
Thanks to the solidarity of many people in Sweden, support from the Palme Center’s fundraising campaign has been able to be channeled to civil society organisations helping the people of Gaza.
In addition to the tent schools, the organisation Democracy Workers Rights Center (DWRC), for example, has carried out initiatives during the year to create jobs and strengthen people’s ability to support themselves in the midst of the disaster, including through vocational training and short-term employment schemes.
From displacement to self-sufficiency in PalestineIn the Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank, a group of displaced women have moved from a state of insecurity and dependency to greater self-confidence and self-reliance.
Through leadership and vocational training, they have strengthened their skills, built networks and begun to formulate their own plans for the future. Over the course of the year, several of the women have been able to start contributing to their families’ livelihoods, create small businesses, and even educate university students in their vocational skills.
The initiative is run by the Palme Center’s partner HDIP, a civil society organisation working to empower marginalised women and young people through education, networking and local advocacy. With a clear grassroots foundation, the organisation mobilises local groups, helps them become active agents of change and to hold decision-makers accountable.
One of the participants is Fatima from Tulkarem.
After taking part in HDIP’s economic empowerment programme, she developed her skills through vocational training and started her own business. With support from the organisation she has also gone from being a participating student to becoming a mentor, educating university students herself.
Fatima’s journey shows how the combination of psychosocial support, education and economic empowerment can transform trauma into agency. Today, she is not only an entrepreneur – but a role model for other women in the camp and proof that even in the shadow of conflict, new opportunities can emerge.
More young people may run for election in PalestineIn Palestine, young people can vote from the age of 18, but until recently they were not allowed to candidate for local elections until they turned 25.
This contradiction excluded a large group of young people from political decision-making.
Through long-term advocacy work led by the youth organisation Pyalara, this has now been changed. In 2021, the organisation formed a coalition with over 80 civil society organisations, which launched a national campaign to lower the age limit.
The campaign combined public awareness-raising, dialogue with decision-makers and the mobilization of young people across the country. Young people themselves were at the heart of the campaign – they took part in debates with politicians, engaged local leaders and kept the issue alive even when election processes were postponed.
In November 2025, President Mahmoud Abbas finally issued a decree lowering the minimum age to run as candidate in local elections from 25 to 23.
The reform did not go all the way to meet the campaign’s original demand of 18, but nevertheless marks a clear victory for civil society’s advocacy work.
This change opens politics to a new generation. Young people will have greater opportunities to participate in local decision-making on issues such as education, employment, public services and local development. The reform also strengthens the confidence in peaceful democratic processes and demonstrates that organised young people can make real political change themselves.
Annual Report 2025
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.
