Christian organisations in Sweden might lose money because of new grant rules
Sweden's Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Anders Ygeman. Photo EPA, Stephanie Lecocq
Northern Europe
The Swedish government has announced stricter conditions for grants. This affects Christian organisations as well.
In the past, it has been enough for organisations "to contribute to maintaining and strengthening the basic values on which society rests" and "is stable and has its own vitality”. Now, several requirements are added to the list. The responsibility for investigating who should receive grants is also shifted from the government to the authorities, a measure that will increase legal certainty according to the government.
Now an organisation can also have the grant stopped if one of its representatives violates "democratic conditions". This writes the Christian Swedish daily Dagen. "There are exceptions if the person is excluded from an organisation after a strange statement, but otherwise it is the case that those who represent the organisation must live up to the requirements we have", says Anders Ygeman to Dagen. Ygeman is the Minister of Integration and Migration.
Denominations
The new rules require denominations to re-apply for grants. They must show that they live up to the new conditions. If they do not, they will not receive any support. "More than half of the population makes an individual contribution each year. They thereby contribute to breaking the segregation and counteracting loneliness and vulnerability. That is why we support civil society", the Swedish Minister of Culture, Jeanette Gustafsdotter, says.
Support conditions
According to the Swedish broadcaster SVT, support may not be given to a religious community if the religious community, any of its congregations or a representative who acts within the framework of the religious community's or a congregation's activities
- uses violence, coercion or threats against a person;
- violates a child's rights in such a way that there is a risk that the child's health or development will be harmed;
- violates the fundamental rights and freedoms of a person by taking advantage of a vulnerable situation;
- discriminates against individuals or groups or otherwise violates the principle of equal value of all human beings;
- opposes the democratic system of government.
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