Sweden Strengthens Support to Ongoing SALAR International Programmes in Ukraine through Nefco
Sweden is reinforcing its long-term commitment to Ukraine’s green recovery by allocating additional resources to two ongoing SALAR International programmes: Waste Management for Ukraine (WM4U), implemented together with Avfall Sverige, and the Polaris Programme. The additional funding, implemented via Nefco, allows the programmes to build on existing results while maintaining a strong focus on identifying and supporting sustainable municipal investments through a coordinated Team Sweden approach.
Sustainable waste management and strong local governance are essential to Ukraine’s recovery and green transition. The war has created an urgent need to manage debris from destroyed buildings and infrastructure, while also accelerating the need to modernise municipal waste systems and strengthen decentralised public service delivery—issues that SALAR International addresses through Waste Management for Ukraine (WM4U) and Polaris – Supporting Multi-level Governance in Ukraine.
The additional Swedish contribution of SEK 400 million through these programmes ensures continued support to Ukrainian partners, strengthening municipal waste management, advancing decentralisation reforms, and supporting Ukraine’s post-war green recovery. The funding will mobilise significant resources to help Ukrainian municipalities rebuild critical infrastructure, modernise waste management systems, and strengthen local capacity. The initiative brings together Swedish and Nordic expertise, with Nefco acting as fund manager in close cooperation with SALAR International and Avfall Sverige.
Increased Swedish support for Nefco’s work in Ukraine
Sweden’s total support to Nefco for green recovery efforts in Ukraine amounts to SEK 700 million. In addition to support to WM4U and Polaris, this support also covers other projects supporting the green transition. Following this new allocation, Sweden’s total support to Nefco’s Green Recovery Programme for Ukraine amounts to approximately SEK 890 million.