As we have continuously informed about, at the beginning of 2023 FUF went overnight from its strongest financial situation ever to standing on the verge of non-existent funding as a result of the government's drastic changes to aid policy. During the year, we struggled to deliver high-quality operations despite withdrawn funds, laid-off staff and major uncertainties.
Unfortunately, the clouds have darkened ahead of 2024. The grant items that, via ForumCiv, Sida and FBA, have financed the lion's share of FUF's projects and programs for many years have been closed. We have therefore worked hard to find completely new funding routes - both within and outside the country's borders - and although we are still waiting for a couple of announcements, we have had to make several painful decisions before 2024. We are no longer able to operate it local group activities which for more than a decade has engaged hundreds of students from Malmö in the south to Umeå in the north in matters relating to aid, Agenda 2030 and peace and security. We have also had to close down Global Peace Hub which quickly brought together young peace actors from around 30 different countries around the world in a digital network for peace. Both of these businesses have been very successful and appreciated. Even with the funding at the time, we did not have the opportunity to handle all those who wanted to get involved, or to conduct activities to the extent that we had wished. That in itself - but also the current world situation - shows the great need that exists for the type of businesses that we are now being forced to shut down.
One positive piece of news, however, is that we have just been granted funds from the European Commission for the project The EU elections due to the fact that there are EU elections in June. We will also conduct a study on aid effectiveness for EBA. Stay tuned to our channels for more information!
What happens to our journalistic product The development magazine - which also engages many young non-profits and which in recent years has been read annually by an average of 100 people - remains to be seen. Bonnier's family foundation partially funds an editor's position until March. The Internship Program is, as previously communicated, defunct in the form in which we have conducted it over the past decade. While waiting for information about possible new ways forward, we have, however, chosen to mediate internships for autumn 2024 (The application deadline is February 25 - welcome to apply!). Seminar activities was then carried out a bit into last year without any funding.
The local which we sit in and which many of you have visited both at member meetings, mingling, trainings and seminars is for financial reasons terminated from the autumn. However, we hope that the economic situation will turn upwards again so that we can also in the future invite all of you who also believe in, and work for, a fair and sustainable world to the unique meetings that FUF offers across thematic, sector and generational boundaries .
For this to be possible, however, we need all the help we can get. Want your workplace to be FUF supporter? Do you want to be member? Do you have tips on project and program funding that we may not know about? Can your workplace or you spare a penny? All contributions – large and small – are welcome and may play a decisive role in our future.
We also want to take the opportunity to express a big thank you to all of you who have supported FUF by donating money, and becoming members, FUF supporters and ambassadors for Uttvecklingsmagasinet, due to the financial situation we are in. Your support has made a real difference and contributed to us being able to continue operating some business – after all!
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to email us at fuf@fuf.se.
Swish number: 123 481 86 13
Plusgiro: 14 32 80-6
Bank account: 702-4532
For international payment:
IBAN: SE46 9500 0099 6034 0143 2806
SWIFT CODE: NDEASESS
Would you rather have an invoice? Mail faktura@fuf.se
This text is a follow-up to previous information letters about how FUF is affected by new aid policy priorities:
Critical situation for FUF - join us and contribute to our survival! January 2023
FUF's future and the way forward March 2023
The FUF faces a crucial few months September 2023