FBA’s work with Ukraine

Sweden’s Support to Ukraine

Sweden has for many years provided extensive assistance to Ukraine, both in terms of reform-oriented development cooperation and humanitarian aid. FBA has maintained a long-term presence in the country and has established itself as an important partner at local, regional, and national levels.

In response to the acute crisis following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, and to support the bilateral strategic objectives of Sweden’s reconstruction and reform cooperation with Ukraine, FBA has both expanded and adapted its operations in the country. FBA also prioritises activities in Ukraine under the framework of the Strategy for International Civil Crisis Management and Peace Promotion and the Strategy for Peace, Security, and Stabilisation.

Support to Ukraine is FBA’s top priority.

Ukrainian Partnerships and Local Presence

To effectively tailor our support to the rapidly changing situation in Ukraine, FBA works closely with a broad range of government actors and civil society organisations in the country.

We continuously monitor developments on the ground, facilitated by an FBA staff member based at the Embassy in Kyiv. A large number of experts are also seconded by FBA to international missions and organisations such as the EU’s European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UN RCO).

By responding to Ukrainian priorities and designing activities in close dialogue with national and local actors, FBA strengthens Ukrainian ownership of both reconstruction and reform efforts.

International and Swedish Cooperation

FBA collaborates with a number of international actors and EU institutions that are central to the Swedish strategy’s focus on supporting Ukraine’s EU integration.

FBA is an integral part of Team Sweden and maintains close cooperation with Swedish government agencies and other actors active in Ukraine.

FBA works across the following key areas:

1. Democratic Governance and Reform

2. Sustainable and Equitable Reintegration of Veterans, Security, and Social Cohesion

There is a strong link between reforms in democratic governance, which foster trust between decision-makers and individuals, and strengthened resilience in Ukrainian society as well as reconstruction. Similarly, effectively managing the acute security-related consequences of the full-scale invasion is an essential foundation for long-term reform efforts.

Democratic Governance and Reform

FBA works to strengthen democratic governance, focusing on defence reform, support for Ukraine’s EU integration, and countering hybrid threats.

Given the defence sector’s role in Ukraine, the future security architecture is crucial for democratic governance and public-sector reform. Reforms related to transparency, oversight, and anti-corruption will be central, particularly during the transition as emergency laws are lifted.

FBA contributes to increased understanding of the reform needs within the defence sector beyond military operations, as well as how Ukraine’s international partners, with a focus on the EU and NATO, can support these efforts.

Together with the Swedish Defence University and the National Defence University of Ukraine (NDUU), FBA helps strengthen Ukrainian leaders in both the military and civil security sectors, with a focus on crisis leadership.

Ukraine’s EU Integration

Ukraine’s EU integration is progressing under difficult circumstances due to the ongoing war and extensive hybrid threats, such as undue influence and other dangers, particularly in the information environment.

Regional governors for European integration play a key role, as 70% of EU integration occurs at the local level. FBA supports governors and the regional civil administration to lead, coordinate, and strengthen security against hybrid threats in the information domain, in accordance with EU regulations.

Hybrid Threats

Russia is waging its war against Ukraine on multiple fronts, not only militarily but also through disinformation and other hybrid threats, aiming to create division and weaken societal resilience.

Hybrid threats exploit vulnerabilities across many sectors, requiring broad cooperation, deeper knowledge, and preventive measures. All parts of society, including the public sector, private sector, and defence need to contribute.

FBA works with local partners to strengthen these efforts, including by developing training for leaders in the public, military, and private sectors.

Reintegration of Ukraine’s Veterans

Currently, Ukraine has around 800,000 veterans, a figure that may multiply by the end of the war. Over 3.5 million people have been displaced internally, and nearly seven million are abroad due to the conflict.

The country’s capacity to care for all those who have participated in combat and been displaced is crucial for long-term stability and reconstruction. Central to this is work focusing specifically on veteran reintegration.

Collaboration with Ukraine’s Ministry of Veterans and Ministry of Economy

FBA works closely with Ukraine’s Ministry of Veterans, providing expertise, evidence, and lessons from international experience. FBA trains civil servants in communication and engagement with veterans and coordinates donor support around veteran issues in Kyiv together with the Ministry and the United Kingdom.

Together with Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy and the EBRD, FBA has developed guidelines for businesses to ensure the private sector proactively supports veterans’ return to civilian employment.

FBA also works to promote coordination of veteran support within Team Sweden.

Security, Social Cohesion, and Trust in Public Institutions

The ongoing war has significantly affected Ukraine’s security environment and societal structure. In front-line and liberated areas, security, social cohesion, and trust between citizens and state institutions are challenged.

To meet these challenges, FBA supports Ukrainian authorities and the security sector by strengthening local capacity, developing dialogue-based approaches, and promoting collaboration between authorities and civil society.

FBA collaborates with Dnipro State University of Internal Affairs (DSUIA) to enhance the police’s ability to handle security challenges through tailored cadet training. A new course on community security under martial law is being developed together with the National Police of Ukraine and in close cooperation with the Swedish Police Authority.

As part of an evidence-based approach, FBA, together with the Razumkov Centre, has conducted a national survey on public perceptions of security and related threats. The results inform the development of training and future policy work.

Report: Beyond the Frontline: Public perceptions of security in Ukraine | Folke Bernadotteakademin

FBA, together with Ukrainian partners, will continue to promote dialogue-based methods and develop local security systems that are people-centred and inclusive, strengthening the capacity of authorities and society to jointly prevent conflict, build trust, and promote social cohesion.

To ensure that the specific needs of women, men, girls, and boys are met in relation to security and reconstruction, FBA integrates a gender perspective into all its efforts in Ukraine. FBA also conducts specific gender-related activities to promote women’s equal participation in reform and reconstruction work and to increase understanding of the war’s impact on gender equality.

Staff Contributions to the EU Advisory Mission in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine)

FBA provides seconded personnel to the EU Advisory Mission for the reform of Ukraine’s civilian security sector (EUAM). The mission focuses on advising the civilian security sector in accordance with EU standards and international principles of good governance and human rights. The civilian security sector includes institutions responsible for law enforcement and justice (e.g., police, border guard, migration service, prosecutor’s office). The mandate consists of four main areas:

• Civil Security Sector Reform: Advising on EU-related reforms and action plans.

• Border Management: Supporting legal alignment with EU standards.

• Liberated Areas: Assistance with stabilization, reintegration, and community rebuilding.

• International Crimes: Capacity-building for investigation and prosecution of war crimes.