Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society - Swedish Peace Funds-Struggle fund for liberation from militarism

What the Struggle Fund gives you

You will receive a cash grant from the Kampfonden (Struggle Fund), which is administered by the Swedish Peace and Mediation Society (Svenska Freds). There are two levels of funding. For grants of up to 3,000 SEK (approximately 270 EUR), a simple statement showing what you have spent the money on is sufficient. For grants exceeding 3,000 SEK, a more detailed account is required, and you must repay any unused funds. Grants exceeding 20,000 SEK (approximately 1,800 EUR) require a longer processing time. The money is intended to support campaigns, demonstrations, non-violent work, running costs and other public peace work. It also helps people who have been punished for refusing military service or who have suffered a loss of income because they did not want to work in the arms industry.

Who can apply

• Who you are: You are a local group affiliated with ‘Svenska Freds’, a peace group, or an individual planning to engage in peace work. Or you are someone who has been punished for refusing to perform military service or has suffered financial loss because you refused to work in the arms industry.
• Membership: Groups must be members of Svenska Freds. People punished for refusing military service do not need to be members.
• What the money is for: Your activity must be a public peace initiative in line with the aims of ‘Svenska Freds’, such as a protest, a demonstration or a non-violent campaign.
• Field of study: It doesn’t matter. This has nothing to do with any particular subject or university.
• Nationality: Applicants of any nationality are welcome to apply. The event will take place in Sweden.

How to apply

Groups should complete the online form or a PDF form and attach a budget. It is helpful to contact the secretariat of the organisation ‘Svenska Freds’ first to describe your activity. Individuals who have been penalised for refusing military service or who have suffered financial loss as a result of refusing to work in the arms industry should apply by email to the contact person. You can apply at any time. If you are awarded a grant, you must carry out the funded activity within one year.

How realistic are your chances?

This fund has a narrow scope. It exclusively supports specific peace-building activities within ‘Svenska Freds’ or individuals who have personally paid a price for refusing to work in the military or the arms industry. As very few people meet these criteria, your chances are good if you clearly belong to one of these groups and submit a clear financial plan. Smaller grants of under 3,000 SEK involve the least administrative effort and are the easiest way to get started.